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| CMS
Membership Heading for Century |
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| Cape
Verde and Kazakhstan Increase Membership to 97 |
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Welcome
to Cape Verde!
Cape Verde, a group of islands off the West African
Coast in the Atlantic Ocean, feature a stunning 965
kilometres of coastline with a land area of only a little
over 4000 km2. The volcanic archipelago is exposed to
repeated droughts, which is a challenge to the over
400,000 inhabitants as well as the rich biodiversity
in the rugged terrain of the mountainous islands and
in its coastal waters. Agriculture and ecosystems face
threats as a result of soil erosion and deforestation.
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| Seven
Appendix I species need urgent conservation action.
These include four species of marine turtles, the
Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), Green
Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata) and the
Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
that are covered by the Memorandum of Understanding
concerning Conservation Measures for Marine Turtles
of the Atlantic Coast of Africa, the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera
musculus) and the Humpback Whale (Megaptera
novaeangliae) . The Whale Shark (Rhincodon
typus), which is designated for concerted action
is listed on Appendix II of the Convention. In addition
to marine species, Cape Verde is home to many migratory
birds. The CMS Secretariat is looking forward to helping
Cape Verde to preserve its migratory animals and their
habitats once it accedes on 1 May 2006.
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Kazakhstan
to be the 3rd Central Asian Party to CMS
Kazakhstan, a landlocked state in Central Asia, features
arid and semi-arid climate and extensive plains, high
mountains and parts of two large bodies of water, the
Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea. This variety of habitats
provides for the needs of 18 species listed on Appendix
I of CMS and more than 100 species on Appendix II. Among
them are concerted action species such as the Ferruginous
Duck (Aythya nyocra), the Snow Leopard (Uncia
uncia), the Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser
erythropus), the Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius
tenuirostris) and the Saiga Antelope (Saiga
tatarica tatarica).
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An
innumerable variety of waterbirds occur in the Central
Asian state. Kazakhstan is a Signatory to the Memorandum
of Understanding concerning Conservation and Restoration
of the Bukhara Deer and the Memorandum of Understanding
concerning Conservation Measures for the Siberian
Crane. As of 1 May, Kazakhstan will be a contracting
Party to CMS and thus demonstrates its commitment
to preserve the natural heritage of the country. |
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