Applications for Permits to 'Harass' Captive-Bred Endangered Species Will Now Be Subject to Public Scrutiny and Comment
For Immediate
Release:
January 19, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Washington -- A consent order issued today names PETA as the prevailing party in its lawsuit challenging the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's (FWS) more than 30- year history of secretly and illegally issuing captive-bred wildlife (CBW) permits without public participation, in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). As a result, FWS will now, for the first time, publicize CBW permit applications and will almost immediately start amending regulations to reflect the legal requirements.
"PETA's victory means that businesses that exploit captive-bred endangered animals will no longer escape public scrutiny," says General Counsel to PETA Jeff Kerr. "Now, whenever a circus or any other operation that typically trains animals to perform with beatings and chains seeks to harm or harass captive-bred endangered Asian elephants, for example, the American public will be able to object.''
Hundreds of entities—including circuses, roadside zoos, and other animal exhibitors with abysmal records of animal mistreatment—currently hold CBW permits that were secretly issued without public notice. The proposed amendments, to be published by February 15, will require the following:
- A notice of all CBW permit applications will be published in the Federal Register.
- All information for each CBW permit application will be made public.
- A 30-day public comment period will be required for each application.
For each permit granted, the agency will publish specific findings, including that the permit was applied for in good faith, that issuing the permit will not operate to the disadvantage of the species, and that issuing the registration will be consistent with the purposes and policy of the ESA.
FWS will also pay PETA's attorney fees and costs as the prevailing party in the lawsuit.
For more information, please visit PETA's blog.