ETWP; Proposed Reclassification of Yacare Caiman in South America From Endangered to Threatened, and the Listing of Two Other Caiman Species as Threatened by Reason of Similarity of Appearance

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to reclassify the yacare (Caiman yacare also known as Caiman crocodilus yacare) from its present endangered status to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (Act) because the endangered listing does not correctly reflect the present status of this animal. The Service also proposes to list the common caiman (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) and the brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) as threatened by reason of similarity of appearance. The yacar is native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, and the other two caiman occur in Mexico and Central and South America. These three taxa are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Listing the two taxa as threatened by reason of similarity of appearance will assist in protecting the yacare caiman from uncontrolled use. A special rule is also proposed for these three species that would allow U.S. commerce in caiman skins, other parts and products from individual countries of origin and countries of re-export if certain pre-trade conditions are satisfied for those countries. The several conditions largely pertain to the implementation of a CITES resolution on the universal tagging of crocodilian skins (adopted at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties) as well as conditions complementing the intent of this resolution and provisions to support the sufficiency of management of yacar populations so that populations will be sustained through time. In the case where tagged caiman skins and other parts are exported to a second country, usually for tanning and manufacturing purposes, and the processed skins and finished products are exported to the United States, the United States will prohibit imports of skins and products if it determines that either the country of export or the country or countries of re-export are engaging in practices that are detrimental to the conservation of caiman populations. The purpose of the special proposed rule is twofold. One is to promote the conservation of the yacare caiman by ensuring proper management of the commercially harvested caiman species in the range countries and through implementation of trade controls as described in the CITES tagging resolution to reduce commingling of caiman specimens. The rule is also intended to relieve the burden on U.S. law enforcement personnel who must screen difficult to distinguish caiman products to exclude products from endangered or improperly identified species from U.S. commerce.