WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on Thursday, July 7, 2011, a proposed rule to regulate the take of three endangered exotic antelope species – the scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle, and addax. The FWS was required to issue this proposed rule as a result of a 2009 order from the federal court.
The proposed rule states that the FWS will issue permits for the take of the three antelope species, in a manner similar to the way in which permits are issued for other exotic captive bred wildlife in the United States. The FWS has given the public 30 days to comment on the proposed rule. The current, permitless system will continue to apply until a final rule is issued.
In response to the rule, Safari Club International (SCI) President Kevin Anderson released the following statement:
“Permits need not be the undoing of the exceptional conservation strides achieved by the private ranching and hunting communities in recovering these three species on captive herds in the U.S. SCI will be playing a leadership role in developing and recommending a process that will cause the least interference to the industry that has brought these three species back from the brink of extinction. (more…)
via the American Deer & Wildlife Alliance press release – 7/6/2011:
USFW Proposes to Repeal Exemption for Three Exotic Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a proposed rule to eliminate the ‘special rule’ enacted in 2005 that allowed the purchase, sale, breeding and other management activities for U.S. captive herds of the Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Addax and Dama Gazelle.
The proposed change, if finalized, would require game ranchers to obtain federal permits (under the Service’s ESA implementing regulations at 50 C.F.R. section 17.21 and section 17.22) to carry out activities with these antelope species.
In 2005, USFW added the three antelope species that exist entirely or largely in captivity outside of their native range in Africa to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The Special Rule has been largely attributed with the successful repopulation of these species, particularly the scimitar-horned oryx. While these animals are all but gone in their native country, there are currently thousands of these amazing animals being cared for and raised on privately owned ranches across the country.
However, the special exemption was challenged in Federal District Court by Friends of Animals and other activists groups. In 2009, the court remanded the regulations back to USFW, directing the agency to provide opportunities for the public to review and comment when authorizing activities with these listed species.
The proposed rule delivered to the Federal Register on Friday, July 1, 2011, would remove the current exemption contained in 50 C.F.R. section 17.21(h) in deference to the permitting regulations currently in place under the Endangered Species Act. Following publication in the Federal Register, the proposed rule will be subject to a 30-day comment period during which all interested persons are invited to comment on the proposal. Information received will be reviewed and evaluated relative to the development of a final decision.
Comments may be submitted online through the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov; follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R9-IA-2010-0056) or through U.S. mail or hand-delivery to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2010-0056; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
The ADWA urges your participation in this process.
Sincerely,
John Meng, President
American Deer & Wildlife Alliance
The American Deer & Wildlife Alliance works to grow the deer and wildlife industries through leadership, education and public awareness. ADWA serves as a national voice for companies, organizations, breeders and professionals within the wildlife industries for the promotion and advancement of cervids and other wildlife species. For more information on the ADWA or to join, visit www.deerwildlifealliance.org.
The most important exotic-related video you’re likely to see this year…
Brought to you by our friends Keith Warren and The High Road TV.
Whether you are an avid exotic game hunter or just a firm believer in hunter & landowner rights, this pending legislation, threatening these 3 exotic species, is critical to their future preservation and propagation. Support the cause, donate, or simply share this information with as many people as you can!
What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think by commenting below.
INGRAM, Texas — The federal court ruling that threatens the thoughtless extinction of the scimitar-horned oryx, as well as two other exotic species and a $1.3 billion industry, is receiving national attention. Award-winning television producer and host Keith Warren is putting the spotlight on the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) and its fight to preserve these majestic animals in a new episode of The High Road with Keith Warren. The show will air three times during the week of July 12, 2010, on the Pursuit Channel (Direct TV 608).
Last year, the EWA appealed the ruling of Federal Judge Henry Kennedy who overturned a special rule by the U.S. Fish& Wildlife Department that allowed three antelope species to be born, raised and freely traded in the United States withoutthe USFWD permitting process. Without the special rule, conservation efforts will most likely cease and the populations for the three species are expected to dramatically deminish.
“The scimitar-horned oryx is a perfect example of how successful the special rules exemption has been to the species’ survival,” says Charly Seale, executive director of the Exotic Wildlife Association. “While these animals are all but gone intheir native country, there are currently thousands of these amazing animals being cared for and raised on preserves and ranches across the country. Many endangered species are virtually extinct (more…)
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on Thursday, July 7, 2011, a proposed rule to regulate the take of three endangered exotic antelope species – the scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle, and addax. The FWS was required to issue this proposed rule as a result of a 2009 order from the federal court.
