Press Release
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Initiates Review of the Chimpanzee’s Status
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will initiate a status review to determine whether reclassifying all captive chimpanzees from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is warranted.
Currently, wild chimpanzees are listed as endangered, and captive chimpanzees are listed as threatened. Captive chimpanzees within the United States are covered by a special rule allowing activities otherwise prohibited by the ESA.
Following an initial review of a petition from The Humane Society of the United States, the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, the Jane Goodall Institute, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, the Fund for Animals, Humane Society International, and the New England Anti-Vivisection Society requesting all chimpanzees, whether found in the wild or in captivity, be listed as endangered, the Service will undertake a more thorough review to determine if the requested action is warranted.
The petition finding does not mean that the Service has decided it is appropriate to list all chimpanzees as endangered under the ESA. Rather, this finding is the first step in a process that triggers a more thorough review of all the biological information available. The finding will publish in the Federal Register on September 1, 2011.
To ensure this status review is comprehensive, the Service is soliciting information from all interested parties regarding the status of this species in the wild and in captivity, including threats to the species and its habitat, information on management programs for chimpanzees, and information relevant to whether any populations of this species may qualify as distinct population segments.
Written comments and information concerning this proposal can be submitted by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS
Currently, wild chimpanzees are listed as endangered, and captive chimpanzees are listed as threatened. Captive chimpanzees within the United States are covered by a special rule allowing activities otherwise prohibited by the ESA.
Following an initial review of a petition from The Humane Society of the United States, the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, the Jane Goodall Institute, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, the Fund for Animals, Humane Society International, and the New England Anti-Vivisection Society requesting all chimpanzees, whether found in the wild or in captivity, be listed as endangered, the Service will undertake a more thorough review to determine if the requested action is warranted.
The petition finding does not mean that the Service has decided it is appropriate to list all chimpanzees as endangered under the ESA. Rather, this finding is the first step in a process that triggers a more thorough review of all the biological information available. The finding will publish in the Federal Register on September 1, 2011.
To ensure this status review is comprehensive, the Service is soliciting information from all interested parties regarding the status of this species in the wild and in captivity, including threats to the species and its habitat, information on management programs for chimpanzees, and information relevant to whether any populations of this species may qualify as distinct population segments.
Written comments and information concerning this proposal can be submitted by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS
