The research carried out by the FSVO in the area of species conservation relates primarily to conservation in the implementation of the CITES species conservation convention, i.e. species conservation in international trade. The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is responsible for research relating to the conservation of native animal and plant species.

The FSVO supports projects relating to species conservation that have a direct link to the activities of the Office and to Switzerland. These include the long-term “sustainable use of the yellow anaconda in Argentina” project. The Swiss-based luxury goods and watch industry is a major customer for goods made from reptile leather. This has made Switzerland a big trans-shipment point for leather goods of this type, and the country therefore has a great interest in ensuring that these reptiles are used sustainably.