[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 45674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22887]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Emergency Exemption: Issuance

    On August 15, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
issued a permit (PRT-833446) to Dr. David Owens, Texas A&M University, 
College Station, TX to import blood samples from Kemp's ridley sea 
turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) currently maintained at the Cayman Turtle 
Farm, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. 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 sea turtles existed and that no reasonable alternative was 
available to the applicant, for the following reasons: (1) Mexico has 
agreed to accept Kemp's ridley sea turtles from the Cayman Turtle Farm 
which can no longer maintain this endangered species; (2) all of the 
sea turtles must be tested for disease before transport to Mexico; (3) 
testing of up to 200 samples is expected to take at least several 
weeks; (4) because of financial difficulties, the Cayman authorities 
have indicated that the animals must be moved to Mexico by November or 
they will have to be euthanized. The 30-day public comment period has 
therefore been waived to expedite the processing of the blood samples 
to ensure that only healthy turtles are transported to Mexico and to 
ensure that healthy animals are not euthanized in the Cayman facility 
due to lack of supporting funds.

    Dated: August 22, 1997.
Karen Anderson,
Acting Chief, Branch of Permit, Office of Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 97-22887 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]
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