[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 25900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11945]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Emergency Exemption: Issuance of Permit for Endangered Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of emergency issuance of permit for endangered species.

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SUMMARY: The following permit was issued.

ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted for this 
application are available for review, subject to the requirements of 
the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who 
submits a written request for a copy of such documents to: U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North 
Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203, telephone (703) 
358-2104 or fax (703) 358-2281.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Division of Management Authority, 
telephone (703) 358-2104.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 17, 2003, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service) issued a permit (PRT-070221) to the 
Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, Ohio, to import biological samples 
collected from bonobos (Pan paniscus) from Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in 
the Democratic Republic of Congo, for the purpose of scientific 
research. The 30-day comment period required under the Endangered 
Species Act was waived pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1539(c). The Service 
determined that an emergency affecting the health and life of the 
remaining bonobos sanctuary population existed, and that no reasonable 
alternative was available to the applicant for several reasons.
    The Cincinnati Zoo requested a permit to import multiple blood 
samples, tracheal washings, gastric washings, urine, feces, hair and 
tissues samples from all animals housed at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary 
in the Democratic Republic of Congo for emergency and ongoing health/
disease evaluation purposes. Samples will be utilized exclusively for 
diagnostic and scientific purposes. The specimens will be used to run 
diagnostics tests to determine the cause of the death of several 
animals that have died during an ongoing disease outbreak at the 
sanctuary within the past several weeks. The necessary diagnostic 
testing is not available in Africa. The results of health and disease 
testing from these bonobos may result in a secondary benefit by 
providing important clues to disease threats to the wild bonobo 
population.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has information collection 
approval from OMB through March 31, 2004, OMB Control Number 1018-0093. 
Federal Agencies may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
current valid OMB control number.

    Dated: April 18, 2003.
Timothy J. Van Norman,
Chief, Branch of Permits--International Division of Management 
Authority.
[FR Doc. 03-11945 Filed 5-13-03; 8:45 am]
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