Stingrays are highly endangered and the Ocellate River Stingray appears to be one of the most commercially exploited. With an impending meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting this September in Johannesburg, it is imperative that this stingray be listed under Appendix I and II to ensure its protection. You can read more about the Ocellate River Stingray and how to protect wildlife species at http://www.arkive.org/ocellate-river-stingray/potamotrygon-motoro/, https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=E5768E0C58B5362504EE2E2647DF87D6.app224a?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3091&s_src=3WDE1610A1XX1&s_subsrc=071116_ADVACTFF_cites_nondonor&autologin=true&utm_campaign=CITESA2D&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nondonors
The Ocellate River Stingray is among a small group of rays that habitat in freshwater. Their name turns out to mean they are river dwellers with a rare body shape; an oval disc, greyish-brown in color with yellow-orange spots and white underside. It is a beautiful species with a deadly sting at its tail’s end. With its home throughout South America, this species does face some threats to its existence such as hunting juveniles for ornamental fish trade and adults used for food. Loss or change in habitat makes them more vulnerable to fishermen. Other habitat degradation also threatens the species.
The effort in this petition is to urge the USFWS to take a strong stand to help promote the listing of the Ocellate River Stingray at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in September and ensure that they are given the protection they need to keep them from the brink of extinction. The concern is that this species be listed under Appendix I and II of the CITES which are crucial in the regulations of the international trade of the Ocellate River Stingray. You can support this issue greatly by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own ideas and thoughts on this issue.
U. S. Wildlife Services – It is highly commendable that you are co-sponsoring proposals on the protection of some species of wildlife under Appendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that is coming up in September in Johannesburg, South Africa. Please ensure that the Ocellate River Stingrays are listed under Appendix I and II will ensure that international trade is sustainable, legally acquired and traceable. It is crucial that this species is regulated and protected from possible brink of extinction. The United States has a critical role to play in protecting an abundance of species that are being CITES driven to the brink.
