[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 9, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43469-43471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17289]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2025-0145; FXIA16710900000-256-FF09A30000]
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to
comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign
species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed
species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such
activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before
issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with
respect to any endangered species.
DATES: We must receive comments by October 9, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
Obtaining Documents: The applications, supporting materials, and
any comments and other materials that we receive will be available for
public inspection at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-HQ-
IA-2025-0145.
Submitting Comments: When submitting comments, please specify the
name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your
comment. You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for and
submit comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2025-0145.
U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No.
FWS-HQ-IA-2025-0145; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS:
PRB/3W; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy MacDonald, by phone at 703-
358-2185 or via email at [email protected]. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Comment Procedures
A. How do I comment on submitted applications?
We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies
to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested
permits, we will take into consideration any information that we
receive during the public comment period.
You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods in
ADDRESSES. We will not consider comments sent by email or to an address
not in ADDRESSES. We will not consider or include in our administrative
record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see
DATES).
When submitting comments, please specify the name of the applicant
and the permit number at the beginning of your comment. Provide
sufficient information to allow us to authenticate any scientific or
commercial data you include. The comments and recommendations that will
be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those
supported by quantitative information or studies; and (2) those that
include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and
regulations.
B. May I review comments submitted by others?
You may view and comment on others' public comments at https://www.regulations.gov unless our allowing so would violate the Privacy
Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) or Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
C. Who will see my comments?
If you submit a comment at https://www.regulations.gov, your entire
comment, including any personal identifying information, will be posted
on the website. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal
identifying information, such as your address, phone number, or email
address, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold
this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so. Moreover, all submissions from organizations
or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public disclosure in their entirety.
II. Background
To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected
species, and in consideration of section 10(c) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we
invite public comments on permit applications before final action is
taken. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits certain activities with
listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such
activities. Permits issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA allow
otherwise prohibited activities for scientific purposes or to enhance
the propagation or survival of the affected species. Service
regulations regarding prohibited activities with endangered species,
captive-bred wildlife registrations, and permits for any activity
otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species
are available in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations in part
17.
III. Permit Applications
We invite comments on the following applications.
Applicant: University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY; Permit No. PER21495165
The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples
derived from wild Dugong (Dugong dugon) and wild bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus) from The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History in
Tel Aviv, Israel, for the purpose of scientific research. This
notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH; Permit
No. PER11734478
The applicant requests a permit to import two live captive-bred
male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from the Toronto Zoo in Toronto,
Canada, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: USFWS Texas Coastal Ecological Services Field Office, Corpus
Christi, TX; Permit PER20155869
The applicant requests a permit to import one wild, rescued Kemp's
ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) from Anglesey Sea Zoo in the
United Kingdom, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or
survival of the species. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: James Pfarr, Archer, FL; Permit No. PER20464337
The applicant requests a permit to import one male captive-bred
blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti) from Francy Hermans, Belgium for
the
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purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This
notification is for a single import.
Applicant: United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health
Center, Honolulu, HI; Permit No. PER20455458
The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples
from wild, captive-held, or captive-born animals of all ESA-listed
species for the purpose of scientific research. This notification
covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year
period.
Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mexican Wolf Recovery
Program, Albuquerque, NM; Permit No. PER20605788
The applicant requests renewal of their permit to export and re-
export live Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) for breeding and re-
introduction, as well as the export and re-export of biological samples
for genetic studies, for the purposes of enhancement of the species and
scientific research. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Duke University dba Duke University Lemur Center, Durham,
NC; Permit No. PER20660309
The applicant requests a permit to conduct interstate and foreign
commerce of animals under the ESA for captive-born and wild source
animals of the family Lemuridae (lemurs), genus Avahi (wooly lemurs)
and Propithecus (sifakas), Indri (Indri indri), the aye-aye
(Daubentonia madagascariensis), the lesser slow loris (Nycticebus
pygmaeus), and the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta). This
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a
5-year period.
Applicant: Richland Lexington Riverbanks Park District dba Riverbanks
Zoo & Garden, Columbia, SC; Permit No. PER20841514
The applicant requests a permit to import one live, captive-born
male Komodo Island monitor (Varanus komodoensis) from The Wilder
Institute Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Canada for the purpose of enhancing
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a
single import.
Applicant: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; Permit No. PER20976961
The applicant requests a permit to import one captive-born female
tiger (Panthera tigris) from Seoul Zoo in the Republic of Korea, for
the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species.
This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, MO; Permit No. PER19410330
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples
derived from wild Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone niger) in the
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, for the purpose of scientific research.
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Viktoria Keller c/o Christine Bacon, Jaffrey, New Hampshire;
Permit No. PER20063193
The applicant requests a permit to export the plant samples,
described below, to the University of Gothenburg's Department of
Biological and Environmental Sciences in Gothenburg, V[auml]stra
G[ouml]taland county, Sweden, for the purpose scientific research. This
notification is for a single export.
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Common name Scientific name
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Artificial propagated
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baker's loulu.......................... Pritchardia bakeri.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia kaalae.
wahane................................. Pritchardia aylmer-robinsonii.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia hardyi.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia lanigera.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia munroi.
lo'ulu................................. Pritchardia maideniana.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia napaliensis.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia schattaueri.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia remota.
loulu.................................. Pritchardia viscosa.
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Wild harvested
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baker's loulu.......................... Pritchardia bakeri.
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Applicant: The Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas, TX; Permit No.
PER21322231
The applicant requests authorization to import four, live, captive-
born giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) from Parque de las Leyendas
in Lima, Peru for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival
of the species. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: White Oak Conservation, Yulee, FL; Permit No. PER20522169
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Scientific name
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Cheetah................................ Acinonyx jubatus
African wild ass....................... Equus africanus
Grevy's zebra.......................... Equus grevyi
Black rhinoceros....................... Diceros bicornis
Great Indian rhinoceros................ Rhinoceros unicornis
Southern white rhinoceros.............. Ceratotherium simum simum
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Northern white rhinoceros.............. Ceratotherium simum cottoni
Babirusa............................... Babyrousa babyrussa
Slender-horned gazelle................. Gazella leptoceros
Blue-billed curassow................... Crax alberti
Andean condor.......................... Vultur gryphus
Asian elephant......................... Elephas maximus
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Applicant: Stevens Ranch Enterprises dba 6S River Ranch, Gatesville,
TX; Permit No. PER20524437
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), red lechwe (Kobus
leche), and swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelii), to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: 4J Conservation Center, Inc., Dade City, FL; Permit No.
PER19946078
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata)
and red-ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) to enhance the propagation or
survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Rock Creek Ranch dba RCR Family Ranch, LLC, Valley Spring,
TX; Permit No. PER21078527
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for red lechwe (Kobus leche), to enhance the
propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Brady Champion Ranch, LLC, Rochelle, TX; Permit No.
PER21286647
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Scientific name
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Hartmann's mountain zebra.............. Equus zebra hartmannae.
Red lechwe............................. Kobus leche.
Arabian oryx........................... Oryx leucoryx.
Swamp deer............................. Cervus duvauceli.
Eld's brow-antlered deer............... Cervus eldi.
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Applicant: Stevens Ranch Enterprises dba 6S River Ranch, Gatesville,
TX; Permit No. PER20670381
The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess
Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), red lechwe (Kobus leche), and swamp deer
(Cervus duvaucelii) from the captive herd maintained at their facility,
to enhance the species' propagation and survival. This notification
covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year
period.
Applicant: Brady Champion Ranch, LLC, Rochelle, TX; Permit No.
PER21295663
The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess
Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae), red lechwe (Kobus
leche), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli),
and Eld's brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi) from the captive herd
maintained at their facility, to enhance the species' propagation and
survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 5-year period.
Multiple Trophy Applicants
The following applicants request permits to import sport-hunted
trophies of male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a
captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of
South Africa, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival
of the species.
Jonathan Ballad, Nokesville, VA; Permit No. PER20504803
Rex Burney, East Prairie, MO; Permit No. PER20514589
Joseph Rostan, Cranberry Township, PA; Permit No. PER20624291
Tammy A. Hudson, Magnolia, TX; Permit No. PER20666880
Earl Wohlert, Troy, VA; Permit No. PER20835799
Robert Neu, Mukwonago, WI; Permit No. PER20837345
Patrick McCormick, San Diego, CA; Permit No. PER20837674
Frank Robert Prestia Jr., Ellwood City, PA; Permit No.
PER20876371
Mark Riether, Williamstown, NJ; Permit No. PER21275462
Roy C. Ewen, Lakebay, WA; Permit No. PER21277235
Jeffrey Siler, Ammon, ID; Permit No. PER21278188
IV. Next Steps
After the comment period closes, we will make decisions regarding
permit issuance. If we issue permits to any of the applicants listed in
this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register. You may
locate the notice announcing the permit issuance by searching https://www.regulations.gov for the permit number listed above in this
document. For example, to find information about the potential issuance
of Permit No. 12345A, you would go to regulations.gov and search for
``12345A''.
V. Authority
We issue this notice under the authority of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and its implementing
regulations.
Scott Carleton,
Acting Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17289 Filed 9-8-25; 8:45 am]
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