These activities include import MT payday loans, export, take, and interstate or foreign commerce
To prevent the extinction of wildlife and plants, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), and its implementing regulations, prohibit any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from conducting certain activities unless authorized by a permit. The Department of the Interior may permit these activities for endangered species for scientific research or enhancement of the propagation or survival of the species, provided the activities are consistent with the purposes of the Act.
For many years, the international community has expressed concern about the status of tigers in the wild and the risk that captive tigers may sustain the demand for tiger parts, which would ultimately have a detrimental effect on the survival of the species in the wild. In 2005, Werner (p. 24) estimated there were 4,692 tigers held in captivity in the United States. Approximately 264 tigers were held in institutions registered with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), 1,179 in wildlife sanctuaries, 2,120 in institutions registered by the U. In 2008, Williamson and Henry stated that as many as 5,000 tigers are in captivity in the United States, but cautioned that, given the current State and Federal legal framework that regulates U.S. captive tigers, the exact size of the population is unknown (Williamson and Henry 2008). An estimated 5,000 captive tigers occur on China’s commercial tiger farms, where tigers are being bred intensively and produce more than 800 animals each year (Williamson and Henry 2008, p. 40). Tiger body parts, such as organs, bones, and pelts, are in demand not only in China, but also on the global black market. Organs and bones are used in traditional Asian medicines, which are purchased by consumers who believe the parts convey strength, health, and virility.
Based on an analysis of current information on factors posing a threat to tigers and their status in the wild, we propose to amend the CBW regulations that implement the Act by removing inter-subspecific crossed or generic tiger (Panthera tigris) (i.e., specimens not identified or identifiable as members of Bengal, Sumatran, Siberian, or Indochinese subspecies (Panthera tigris tigris, P. t. sumatrae, P. t. altaica, and P. t. corbetti, respectively) from paragraph (g)(6) of 50 CFR . This action would eliminate the exemption from registering and reporting under the CBW regulations by persons who want to conduct otherwise-prohibited activities under the Act with live inter-subspecific crossed or generic tigers born in the United States. Inter-subspecific crossed or generic tigers remain listed as endangered under the Act, and a person would need to qualify for an exemption or obtain an authorization under the remaining statutory and regulatory requirements to conduct any prohibited activities.
S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and 1,120 in private hands
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as one with annual revenue or employment that meets or is below an established size standard. We expect that the majority of the entities involved in taking, exporting, re-importing, and selling in interstate or foreign commerce of inter-subspecific crossed or generic tigers would be considered small as defined by the SBA.
Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes: Under the President’s memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” (59 FR 22951) and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian Tribes and have determined that there are no effects.
(F) Each person claiming the benefit of the exception in paragraph (g)(1) of this section must maintain accurate written records of activities, including births, deaths, and transfers of specimens, and make those records accessible to Service agents for inspection at reasonable hours as set forth in Sec. Sec. and . * * * * *