of a species as well as economic incentive for sustaining habitat with greater ecological benefits. Legalising trade for endangered species Legalising the trade of products derived from endangered species is highly controversial. Many researchers have proposed that a well regulated legal market could benefit some endangered species by either flooding the market with products that drive down the price of illegal products, decreasing the incentive to illegally harvest, or by providing revenue that could fund the species's conservation. However, laundering and corruption pose a major obstacle to implementing such policies, as illegal harvesters attempt to disguise illegal product as legal when trade is legalized. Under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), species listed under Appendix I are threatened with extinction, and commercial trade in wild-caught specimens, or products derived from them, is prohibited. This rule applies to all species threatened with extinction, except in exceptional circumstances. Commercial trade of endangered species listed under Appendix II and III is not prohibited, although Parties must provide non-detriment finding to show that the species in the wild is not being unsustainably harvested for the purpose of trade. Specimens of Appendix I species that were bred in captivity for commercial purposes are treated as Appendix II. An example of this is captive-bred saltwater crocodiles, with some wild populations listed in Appendix I and others in Appendix II. Welfare of animals Many animals are kept for months in markets waiting to be sold. The welfare of animals in trade is almost universally poor, with the vast majority of animals failing to receive even the most basic freedom from pain, hunger, distress, discomfort, and few opportunities to express normal behaviour. Reptiles specifically endure tight living spaces, torn claws and dehydration during capturing and transportation. Sometimes, they are also crushed from being stacked on top of each other. See also Environmental crime Ecocide Ivory trade Poaching Wildlife smuggling Wildlife farming African Vulture trade Pangolin trade Border control Endangered species References Further reading External links CITES TRAFFIC − international NGO dedicated to ensuring that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to nature conservation ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network − wildlife law enforcement network FREELAND Foundation − international NGO dedicated to ending the illegal wildlife trade, conserving natural habitats and protecting human rights Wildlife Alliance − international NGO addressing wildlife trafficking and other crimes against nature Environmental Investigation