[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SHAMBALA WILD ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT WILL REGULATE POSSESSION OF WILD 
          ANIMALS TO PROTECT PUBLIC AND ASSURE ANIMAL WELFARE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, hardly a week goes by without a child or an 
adult--a member of the family or an innocent neighbor--being injured or 
even killed by a ``pet'' lion, tiger, or other wild animal. Owning 
these wild animals is a serious responsibility, but it is unfortunately 
a responsibility that is not taken seriously by some people.
  In response to this serious problem, Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I 
introduced H.R. 5057--the Shambala Wild Animal Protection Act. The 
legislation would amend the Animal Welfare Act to protect public safety 
by placing restrictions and controls on the personal possession, 
breeding, import, export, transfer, or sale of protected wild animals 
such as lions, tigers, leopards, and similar animals. The bill directs 
the Secretary of Agriculture to establish standards that must be met to 
permit personal possession of these wild animals where no regulation 
currently exists. The purpose of this legislation is to establish 
criteria for ownership both to protect the public and to assure that 
these beautiful animals are treated humanely.
  In developing this legislation, Mr. Speaker, I have worked with 
leaders of the animal sanctuary community who, like me, have been 
alarmed about the many incidents relating to death and injury resulting 
from irresponsible possession of wild animals. The principal leader of 
this effort is Tippi Hedren of the Roar Foundation and the Shambala 
Preserve in California. Ms. Hedren is the star of Alfred Hitchcock's 
classic films, The Birds and Marne, and other films.
  The legislation would require a permit for the personal possession of 
such animals, but any agency or official of the Federal Government or 
of a state or local government or research facility which is currently 
regulated under the Animal Welfare Act would not be required to obtain 
this additional permit. Zoos, animal parks, and wildlife sanctuaries 
also would not need this additional permit if the facility has been 
licenced by state or local authorities whose standards meet or exceed 
the requirements that would be established in bill.
  Individuals currently possessing protected wild animals on the 
effective date of the enactment of this legislation would retain 
possession if they apply for a permit within one year of the date of 
the enactment of the legislation. The Secretary of Agriculture through 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would establish specific 
personal permitting requirements, as well as housing and care standards 
for each species covered by the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, a number of our distinguished colleagues have joined me 
as cosponsors of H.R. 5057, including Mr. Abercrombie of Hawaii, Mr. 
DeFazio of Oregon, Ms. Eshoo of California, Mr. Farr of California, Mr. 
Filner of California, Mr. Gallegly of California, Mr. Kasich of Ohio, 
Mr. Kleczka of Wisconsin, Mr. Kucinich of Ohio, Ms. Lowey of New York, 
Mr. Moran of Virginia, Ms. Morella of Maryland, Mr. Neal of 
Massachusetts, Mr. Pallone of New Jersey, Mr. Porter of Illinois, Ms. 
Rivers of Michigan, Mr. Shays of Connecticut, Mr. Stark of California, 
and Mr. Waxman of California.
  This fall, Mr. Speaker, under the sponsorship of my friend and 
colleague from California, Richard Pombo, we introduced H.R. 5360, 
which would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a 
comprehensive evaluation of federal and state laws that regulate 
private ownership of these exotic wild animals and would also direct 
the Secretary to make recommendations to the Congress regarding these 
matters. We felt that such a study would provide the necessary 
groundwork to deal effectively and knowledgeably to achieve the goals 
of H.R. 5057.
  I regret, Mr. Speaker, that despite the length of time we have spent 
in session this fall, we have not been able to deal with either the 
Shambala Wild Animal Protection Act or, at the very least, with the 
more modest proposal I made with Congressman Pombo in H.R. 5360 to 
undertake a thorough analysis of existing laws and regulations at the 
state and federal level and to propose to the Congress ways to deal 
with the matter of private ownership of these animals.
  Mr. Speaker, if my constituents return me to the Congress in the 
upcoming elections, I intend to pursue this matter in the next session 
of the Congress. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in the effort 
to deal with this serious public safety and animal welfare issue.

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