The Convention for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Birds and Fish in Africa (also known as the London Convention of 1900) is a multilateral treaty on wildlife preservation that was signed by the European colonial powers in London in 1900. Although it never entered into force, it has nevertheless been recognised as one of history's earliest agreements on nature conservation.
Conclusion and ratifications
The convention was concluded and signed on 19 May 1900 by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the Congo Free State. The treaty required all signatory states to ratify it before entering into force; because most of the signatories did not ratify the agreement, it never entered into force.
Protective categories
A key innovation of the convention—which is still used today in conservation treaties—was the inclusion of schedules which placed animals in different categories of protection.
Schedule 1: Absolute prohibition on hunting or destruction
The animals in Schedule 1 were to be protected from all hunting and destruction; this was done either because of the animals' perceived "usefulness" or "their rarity and threatened extermination":
Schedules 2 and 3: Prohibition on hunting or destruction while young or mothering The animals in Schedule 2 were to be protected from all hunting and destruction while the animals were young. Female animals in Schedule 3 were to be protected from all hunting and destruction when they were accompanied by their young. The lists of animals in Schedules 2 and 3 were identical:
Schedule 4: Animals that may be hunted or destroyed in limited numbers
The animals in Schedule 4 were to be protected from hunting and destruction "except in limited numbers":
Schedule 5: Harmful animals desirable to be reduced in number
The animals in Schedule 5 were designated "harmful" and the treaty regarded them as desirable to be reduced in numbers "within sufficient limits":
The convention encouraged the destruction of the eggs of crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and pythons.
Other provisions
The convention encouraged the creation of wildlife reserves. It would have prohibited the use of nets and pitfalls in hunting and the use of explosives or poison on fish. The convention allowed for the creation of export duties on animal hides, tusks, and antlers.
Replacement
The treaty never entered into force and in 1933 was replaced by the Convention Relative to the Preservation of Fauna and Flora in their Natural State.
Notes
External links
Text, uoregon.edu
Treaties concluded in 1900
Treaties not entered into force
Environmental treaties
1900 in London
Treaties of the French Third Republic
Treaties of the German Empire
Treaties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922) Treaties of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) Treaties of the Kingdom of Portugal Treaties of Spain under the Restoration Treaties of the Congo Free State Wildlife law Fauna of Africa Nature conservation in Africa Animal treaties