[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 49151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23930]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Emergency Exemption: Issuance

    On September 9, 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
issued a permit (PRT-819483) to Charles Darwin Foundation, Falls 
Church, Virginia to import blood and tissue samples from Galapagos 
tortoises (Geochelone nigra). The 30-day public comment period required 
by section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act was waived. The Service 
determined that an emergency affecting the health and life of the 
tortoises existed and that no reasonable alternative was available to 
the applicant, for the following reasons: (1) the Charles Darwin 
Research Station in the Galapagos Islands have lost 8 tortoises to an 
unknown disease and 9 more are showing symptoms of this disease; (2) by 
importing these samples, researchers hope to isolate the disease-
causing agent in order to determine the best treatment to the disease 
and prevent further loss of this species.

    Dated: September 13, 1996.
Mary Ellen Amtower,
Acting Chief, Branch of Permits, Office of Management Authority.
[FR Doc 96-23930 Filed 9-17-96; 8:45 am]
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