The U.S. Endangered Species Act was passed on December 28, 1973, to prevent
the extinction of many species of animals and plants. It places restrictions
on a wide range of activities involving endangered and threatened animals and
plants to help ensure their continued survival. With limited exceptions, the
Act prohibits activities with these protected species unless authorized by a
permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Without a permit, it is unlawful for any person subject to the
jurisdiction of
the United States to commit, attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or
cause to be committed any of the following activities.
For All Endangered and Most Threatened Wildlife
- Import or Export
- Deliver, receive, carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foriegn
commerce in the course of commercial activity.
- Sell or offer for sale in interstate or foriegn commerce.
- Take within the United States and its territorial seas or upon the high
seas("take" means to harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct).
- Possess, ship, deliver, carry, transport, sell, or recieve unlawfully
taken wildlife.
The prohibitions apply equally to live or dead animals, thier progeny, and
parts or products derived from them.
PERMIT EXEMPTIONS - Loans and Gifts: Lawfully taken and held endangered and threatened
species may be shipped interstate as a bona fide gift or loan if there is no
barter credit, other form of compensation, or intent to profit or gain. a
standard breeding loan, when no money or other consideration changes hands
but
some offspring are returned to the lender of a breeding animal, is not
considered a commercial activity and, thus, is not prohibited by the Act and
does not require a permit. Documentation of such an activity should accompany
the shipment.
The above information is from the United States Department Of The Interior -
Fish and Wildlife Service. It accompanied my U.S.D.I permit application. You
can call 1-800-358-2104 for further information.
You will notice that it is only illegal if the animal is moved to another
state for profit. If you legally own the animal, and move to another state
and
take them with you, you should have no problems as long as you do not offer
the animal for sale.
Michael Zito jr
The Primate Conservancy