Posts Tagged ‘EWA’

‘Three Species’ Ruling – The Final Chapter?

At AAE, we have been trying our best to keep our followers informed as to the lengthy, on-going battle to save 3 of our beloved exotic species from what many believe will result in a very sad and unfortunate (and likely severe) decline in currently thriving populations of each species.

We have just received word today that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s ruling on the future status of the 3 African antelope species (scimitar-horned oryx, addax antelope, and dama gazelle) in the U.S has been made public, signaling a closing chapter in this epic saga.

via the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) Membership Alert – 1/4/2012:

In the Exotic Wildlife Association’s effort to keep our membership up to date concerning the latest information regarding the “Three Species” (Scimitar Horned Oryx, Addax, and Dama Gazelle) we have received an advanced copy of the new rule that will be posted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service…The new rule will take effect 90 days after its publication in the Federal Registry on January 5, 2012. This means that those breeders who currently own one or more of the species will have until April 4, 2012 to obtain permits or legally sell their animals.  This rule will replace the exemption from the provisions of the ESA that was given to these three species in 2005.

The new ruling means that after April 3, 2012, ranchers housing these 3 species will no longer be able to breed, transport or take any animal without first going through the required permitting process(es) to do so.  It appears as though, the new permitting system will act much like those currently presiding over barasingha, eld’s deer, and red lechwe.  Permits for these animals generally take 6-12 months to acquire [no one knows yet how long the new process for the '3 Species' will take] and infringements come with harsh penalties due to their direct violation of the Lacey Act.  For these reasons (among others), most owners of the oryx, addax and dama species will elect not to apply for the permits, thus all but forcing them to reduce or eliminate their current herds entirely.

In the next 3 months we can expect: Live sale market value plummeting, the number of breeding facilities and ranches with the ’3 Species’ reduced drastically, the cost to hunt these species dropping significantly and harvest numbers skyrocketing.

Hopefully one day, proponents of this new ruling will be able to explain to us how this could possibly be in the best interest of these amazing species long-term.

To read the USF&W’s entire press release, click here —“Service Repeals Regulatory Exclusion for Captive-Bred African Antelope Species under the Endangered Species Act”

Latest News on ‘Three Species’ Ruling

via the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) newsletter 12/16/11

“[EWA Executive Director Charly Seale] has learned today that the USFWS intends to publish the final version of the new rule governing the “Three Species” (Addax, Scimitar Horned Oryx and Dama Gazelle) within the next few weeks. According to our sources there will be some type of permitting system but what and how it will be implemented is not certain at this time. Our sources also indicate that this final version has been somewhat overhauled to make it more breeder friendly but we cannot confirm that at this time.

We also believe that the new rule will not become effective for 30-90 days once it is publicized. The Exotic Wildlife Association is involved in litigation against the USFWS. We have filed a lawsuit on behalf of 13 EWA members in Federal court to challenge the endangered species classification and listing of these three species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has failed to consider the Exotic Wildlife Association’s petition for delisting these animals and if it weren’t for their endangered status, the USFWS would have no jurisdiction over them thus no permits would be necessary.

[The EWA] is still fighting and is committed to stopping the FWS from implementing this new rule. There are still several avenues of remedy and we will not give up those potential remedies until we have exhausted every possible source. The success story of U.S. breeders, concerning these three species and others on the endangered list, is phenomenal and we will not simply give up and go away without a tremendous fight.

The EWA along with other associations have contacted our congressional members asking them to direct the USFWS to postpone any changes in the regulations governing these three species. Regardless, we are not giving up so we sincerely hope our members will stay vigilant and optimistic. Just because they have given notice of the final version of this rule’s publication does not mean it cannot be stopped.”

–Charly Seale, EWA Executive Director

For additional information please contact the Exotic Wildlife Association office in Kerrville, Texas @ (830) 367-7761.

EWA Files Suit Against USFWS

The Exotic Wildlife Association filed a civil action in the U.S. District Court in San Angelo, Texas against the USFWS on behalf of 13 EWA members.  This court action was taken in response to the USFWS refusal to acknowledge the EWA’s petition for delisting of the Scimitar Horned Oryx, Dama Gazelle, and Addax from the restrictions of the Endangered Species Act.  “This federal agency failed to act on our petition as required by law to delist these animals born in the United States from the ESA restrictions”, says Charly Seale, Executive Director of the Exotic Wildlife Association.  We do agree that these animals are endangered and on the brink of extinction in their native lands but thrive by the thousands on private ranches here in the United States.  Seale further stated that “if they want to see these animals truly become endangered then keep the cumbersome and archaic rules in place that currently exist under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The current administration that occupies the Department of Interior in general and more specifically the United States Fish and Wildlife Service live in a sterile environment and do not have a clue what U.S. ranchers have done to preserve these endangered and threatened species.”

The EWA’s mission is to encourage and expand the conservation of indigenous and non-indigenous hoofstock animals, and to help their Members develop and strengthen the markets for their animals. To learn more about the EWA or to find out how to join, visit www.exoticwildlifeassociation.com

EWA Legal Fund Video Animal Auction, Oct 29

“This 100% donation video animal auction and sale will raise the funds necessary to continue the fight for the “Three Species”. The Exotic Wildlife Association has filed a lawsuit against the United States Fish and Wildlife Service because of their refusal to acknowledge our de-listing petition, removing the “Three Species” from the endangered species list. This has been a costly battle and this auction will give us the revenue needed to continue our legal and legislative efforts. To donate to this fund raiser please contact the EWA office (info below). There is nothing to small or too large. We will auction anything and everything!” – the EWA

Event: EWA Video Animal Auction
Date: Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Location: Inn of the Hills Convention Center, Kerrville, TX
Details: 12:00 Lunch * 1:00 Sale Begins

Call now or click below to pre-register ($20) or to make a donation.
Registration at the door: $25.00
EWA Office: (830) 367-7761

Donation Form
Video Auction Consignment Form
Registration Form

There are many exotic auctions around the state of Texas during the year, but this could very well be the most important auction in the history of the exotic industry!  Money raised at this event will play a vital role in the battle to possible save, not only the ’3 Species’ (addax, dama gazelle & oryx), but ALL exotics going forward.  If you enjoy hunting exotics or simply like the idea of seeing them thrive in the U.S., please make plans to attend this event.  If you can’t make it, your donations, monetary or auction items, will go a long way to seeing a successful outcome! If you are not yet a member of the EWA, join today!  Contact the EWA office or visit www.exoticwildlifeassociation.com.

– Sincerely,
Craig Ellwanger, AAE Founder