[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6572]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Finding on 
Petition and Initiation of Status Review for Cheetah in Namibia

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of petition finding and status review.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the 90-day 
finding that a petition to change the classification of the cheetah in 
Namibia from endangered to threatened has presented substantial 
information indicating that the action may be warranted. A status 
review of this population is initiated.

DATES: The finding announced herein was made on March 8, 1996. Comments 
and information may be submitted until July 17, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments, information, and questions should be submitted to 
the Chief, Office of Scientific Authority; Mail Stop: Room 725, 
Arlington Square; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Washington, D.C. 
20240 (Fax number 703-358-2276). Express and messenger-delivered mail 
should be addressed to the Office of Scientific Authority; Room 750, 
4401 North Fairfax Drive; Arlington, Virginia 22203. The petition 
finding, supporting data, and comments will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, at the Arlington, Virginia address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Charles W. Dane, Chief, Office of 
Scientific Authority, at the above address (phone 703-358-1708).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(b)(3) of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended, requires that within 90 days of receipt of a 
petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species, or to revise a 
critical habitat designation, a finding be made on whether the petition 
has presented substantial information indicating that the requested 
action may be warranted, and that such finding be published promptly in 
the Federal Register. If the finding is positive, Section 4(b)(3) also 
requires commencement of a review of the status of the involved 
species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) now announces a 
90-day finding on a recently received petition.
    The petition was submitted by John J. Jackson, III (Jackson and 
Stovall, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law, One Lakeway Center, Ste. 
1380, 3900 Causeway Boulevard, Metairie, Louisiana 70002), on behalf of 
the Republic of Namibia and Safari Club International. It was dated 
August 11, 1995, and was received by the Service on August 17, 1995. It 
requests that the population of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubata) in 
Namibia be reclassified from endangered to threatened.
    The cheetah is a large spotted cat that once occurred over most of 
Africa and southwestern Asia. It has nearly disappeared in Asia and has 
declined substantially in Africa because of hunting for its attractive 
skin, conflict with human agricultural interests, habitat disruption, 
and possible deterioration of genetic viability. It was classified as 
endangered throughout its range in the Federal Register of March 30, 
1972 (37 FR 6176).
    The petition presents information, including recent reports from 
authorities on the species, suggesting that the population of cheetah 
in the country of Namibia, in southwestern Africa, is relatively large 
(possibly 2,500-3,000 cats out of a worldwide total of only 9,000-
12,000) and stable, as compared to that in most other regions. The 
petition also basically suggests that a threatened classification would 
allow issuance of special regulations, pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act, authorizing the importation of sport-hunted trophies of 
cheetah into the United States. Sportsmen from the United States then 
would be willing to spend substantial sums of money to hunt cheetah in 
Namibia, thereby providing a financial stimulus to landowners in that 
country to conserve the species and its habitat.
    The Service has found that the petition presents substantial 
information indicating that the requested action may be warranted. 
Also, pursuant to Section 4(b)(3), the Service hereby commences a 
review of the status of the involved species. Submission of appropriate 
data, opinions, and publications regarding this petition is encouraged. 
In accordance with Section 4(b)(3), within 12 months of receipt of the 
petition, the Service will make another finding as to whether the 
requested action is warranted, not warranted, or warranted but 
precluded by other listing measures.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544. 3500; unless otherwise noted.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.

    Dated: March 8, 1996.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 96-6572 Filed 3-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P