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<p>The Government works with a range of governments and international organisations
to conserve endangered species, including elephants, through various fora, including
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES). I attended the CITES Conference of Parties in 2016 where the UK played a
major role in achieving strong outcomes for elephants, that will help ensure their
survival in the wild.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Darwin Initiative is a UK Government
grant scheme focussed on preserving animal and plant species and their habitats. This
has recently funded a project in Mali that aims to protect elephants by halting and
reversing degradation, and habitat loss.</p><p> </p><p>Poaching and trafficking pose
a major threat to elephants and other species and demand coordinated international
action. The UK is leading the global response to tackling the illegal wildlife trade,
and last year we supported Vietnam to host a third successful high level conference
on the issue, where new actions to deliver on the commitments agreed at the previous
London and Botswana conferences in 2014 and 2015 were secured.</p><p> </p><p>At the
conference we announced an additional £13million for tackling the illegal wildlife
trade, doubling our existing investment. This funding will support a range of initiatives,
including British military training for anti-poaching rangers in key African states
and financial support for global action by Interpol and other international organisations
involved in the fight against wildlife crime.</p>
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