29th Nov, 2004

The IUCN World Conservation Congress passed a motion on 25 November 2004, urging the "continued prohibition of shahtoosh production and trade". The Motion was passed by a virtually unanimous vote by Members of the World Conservation Union, both government and non-government, on the final day of the Congress.

"We are delighted by the overwhelming support of the world's premier conservation body, and to be a part of this historic motion", said Belinda Wright, Executive Director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, who attended the World Conservation Congress as a Member of IUCN.

The shahtoosh motion was sponsored by four Members of IUCN - Wildlife Conservation Society (USA), Fauna and Flora International (UK), Conservation International (USA), and Wildlife Protection Society of India.

The Motion noted that the production and illegal trade in shahtoosh remains a threat to the survival of the Tibetan antelope and commended the governments of India and China for their commitment to the protection of the Tibetan antelope. The World Conservation Congress urged the maintenance of a strict ban on hunting of the Tibetan Antelope and the sale of its fur, and the production of shahtoosh. The Congress further urged "the government of India to prepare a road map for the protection of the Tibetan antelope and for the government, its legal institutions, and its wildlife laws to remain obligated to continue to enforce the ban on the shahtoosh processing and trade; and under no circumstances to lift the ban". Lastly, the Congress called upon consumer countries to ensure effective enforcement to stop the trade in shahtoosh."

In the largest conservation gathering in history, the Congress - which was held in Bangkok - was attended by over 6,000 delegates from 160 countries.