The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register today to implement the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, a Federal statute that seeks to stem trafficking in privately owned exotic big cats.
The rule provides a framework for enforcing this laws prohibitions on the interstate and international movement of eight big cat species and their hybrids. The Captive Wildlife Safety Act makes it illegal to import, export, buy, sell, transport, receive or acquire live lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, and their hybrids across State lines or U.S. borders unless certain exceptions are met.
Private ownership of big cats will not be affected, but those owners will not be permitted to transport their animals across State lines, nor will they be permitted to import or export the cats. The proposed prohibitions, which will not become effective until 30 days after the publication of a final rule, apply as well to new and future offspring.
Individuals and businesses (such as circuses, zoos and transporters) that are licensed or registered by the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), as well as State academic institutions or agencies, State-licensed rehabilitators or veterinarians, and wildlife sanctuaries that meet specific criteria, will be exempt. The proposed rule was developed in consultation with APHIS.
"These regulations will help us enforce this law fairly and effectively," said Service Director Dale Hall. "The Captive Wildlife Safety Act gives us a tool at the Federal level for addressing public safety concerns about the growing number of big cats in private hands in this country."
The regulations define terms used in the Act so that the public can better understand who and what activities are covered. The Service is also proposing that wildlife sanctuaries exempt from the Acts prohibitions maintain records of transactions involving big cats and make these documents available to Service officials for inspection on request.
Written comments on the proposed rule must be submitted within 30 days. Comments should be sent to: Special Agent in Charge, Branch of Investigations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 3000, Arlington, Virginia 22203 or via fax to 703-358-2271. Comments may also be hand-delivered to the Office of Law Enforcement at 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 3000, in Arlington, Virginia, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or submitted (identified by RIN 1018-AT69) to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov.
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 resource 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 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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36pt>For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
36pt>visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov
