0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is proposing a rule to support and encourage the conservation of three rare North African antelopes through captive-breeding programs that already exist in the United States. The proposed rule is to be published in the February 1, 2005 Federal Register.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>Habitat destruction, illegal killing and civil war have decimated the three species -- scimitar-horned oryx , addax, dama gazelle -- in their native countries. In fact, the scimitar-horned oryx no longer exists in the wild and can only be found in zoos, ranches and other captive-breeding facilities. Seventy-one percent of the world's addax population and 48 percent of the dama gazelle population are in captive herds; by one estimate, there are 4,000-5,000 scimitar-horned oryx, 1,500 addax, and 750 dama gazelle in captivity worldwide.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>"The future of these antelopes in the wild is precarious," said Service Director Steve Williams. "However, all three are thriving in the U.S. thanks to captive breeding, and the survival of the wild populations may hinge on the eventual reintroduction of captive-bred animals."
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>The Service will make a final decision on whether to list these species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act within the next few months. To support captive-breeding efforts, the proposed rule would exclude U.S. captive-bred live specimens as well as gametes, embryos, and sport-hunted trophies from certain prohibitions of the Act against take, interstate and foreign commerce, export, and re-import, should the antelopes be listed. a
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>As part of the rule, the Service proposes to continue to allow the sport hunting of antelopes bred in captivity in the United States. This is designed to encourage U.S. landowners to continue to breed the animals with a goal towards eventual reintroduction in their native countries. Many zoos, ranches and other captive-breeding facilities are working with countries such as Tunisia and Morocco to breed and reintroduce antelopes to their historic habitat. As reintroduction programs increase, captive-breeding efforts will be able to provide suitable animals.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>Ranches and captive wildlife parks for non-native populations have more available space to simulate the antelopes original habitat than most urban zoos. They also can accommodate more animals. As a result, they offer more opportunities for research, breeding, and preparing antelopes for eventual reintroduction.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>"Sport-hunting of captive-bred animals in this country supports the conservation of the species," said Williams. "It can provide economic incentives for private individuals to continue to breed and maintain antelopes for research and reintroduction."
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>Ranchers manage populations by age and gender, and work to maximize genetic diversity. Management programs may include culling animals to reduce the number of adult males and encourage typical breeding behavior.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>The proposed rule only pertains to U.S. captive-bred animals. No animals captured in the wild have been imported into the United States since 1997. In addition, the proposed rule would not exempt specimens from Appendix-I permit requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) nor apply to specimens bred in captivity outside the United States.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>A CITES-regulated species may be included in one of three appendices to the Convention. Appendix I includes species for which trade is to be allowed only in exceptional circumstances, and not for primarily commercial purposes. Non-commercial trade in such species is allowed if it is not detrimental to the species survival. Permits are required for the exportation and importation of Appendix-I species.
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0.4in 0 7. ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>The proposed rule can be found on the Services International Affairs website: http://international.fws.gov/fedregister/fedreg.html . Written comments on the proposed rule and the draft Environmental Assessment must be submitted by [insert date 60 days after date of publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER]. Submit any comments and information by mail to the Chief, Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 750, Arlington, VA 22203; or by fax to 703-358-2276; or by e-mail to ScientificAuthority@fws.gov.
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0.4in mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands and helps foreign and Native American Tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to State fish and wildlife agencies.
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0.4in center 3 ; mso-line-height-alt: 11." align=left>For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our homepage at http://www.fws.gov
