Lions have often been discussed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES). While CITES decisions on species trade regimes are ostensibly based on science, species data are often inconclusive and political considerations inevitably determine outcomes. We present the context of lion conservation and the technical and political processes of CITES to illuminate how a failed uplisting proposal nonetheless resulted in an unprecedented trade restriction as well as conservation initiatives beyond the CITES trade function. We conclude on the limitations of science to guide future directions of CITES debates, leaving politics and ethics to shape decision making.

中文翻译：

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CITES现代舞台上的狮子

经常在《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》（CITES）中讨论狮子。虽然《濒危物种贸易公约》关于物种贸易制度的决定表面上是基于科学的，但物种数据往往没有定论，政治上的考虑不可避免地决定了结果。我们介绍狮子保护的背景以及CITES的技术和政治过程，以阐明失败的上榜提议如何导致前所未有的贸易限制以及CITES贸易职能以外的保护措施。我们总结了科学的局限性，以指导《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》辩论的未来方向，使政治和道德观念影响决策制定。