## TH E HUMAN E SOCIET Y O F TH E UNITE D STATE S

Anita W. Coupe, Esq. Chair of the Board Jennifer Leaning, M.D., S.M.H. Wee Chair of the Board Eri c L Bemthal , Esq . Second Wce Chair

of the Board Walter J. Stewart, Esq. Board Treasurw Wayne Pacelle President

&CBO Michae l Markaria n Executive

Vfce indent & COO G . Thoma s Wait e II I Treasure r& CFO Andre w N . Roviran , Ph.D . Chie f Int&natiofta l Office r S Owe/Sdentff t Office r I Roger A. Kindler, Esq. Genera/ Counsel & 0.0 Jane t D . Frak e - Secrerar y Holl yHazard , Esq . Chie f Innovation s Office r Laura Maloney Chief of Staff ! DIREqOR S Jeffre yi . Ardniac o Eri c L Bemthal , Esq . Barbar a S . Brack Jerr yCesa k Anit a W . Coupe

s Esq . Nei l B . Fang , Esq. , CP A Jan e Greenspu n Gate Jonatha n D . Kaufelt , Esq . Paul a A . Kislak . D.V.M . Jennife rLeaning , M.D. . S.M.H . Katfilee h M . Unehan , Esq . JohnMacke y Willia m F . Mancus o Mar yI . Ma x Patric k L McDonnel l Jud yNe y Sharo n Le e Patric k Jud yJ . Pei l Maria n G . Probst Jonatha n M . Ratne r Joshu a S . Reichert , Ph.D . Walte rJ . Stewart . Esq . Andre w Weinstei n Jaso n VVeis

s Persi a vi/hit e Davi d aWiebers , M.D . Lon a William s Januar y 7 , 201 3

Honcp-abl e To mVilsacjc , Secretar

y U.S . IDepartmen

t pf Agricultur e 140 0 Independenc e Av e S W Washington , D C 2025 0 Kevi n Shea , Actin g Administrato r Anima l an dPlan t

Healt h Inspectio n Servic e U.S . Departmen t

o f Agricultur e 470 0 Rive r

Road , Uni t

8 4 Riverdale , M D 20737-123 4 RE: AMENDED PETITION FOR RULEMAKING TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC CONTACT

WITH BIG CATS, BEAkS, AND NONHUMAN PRIMATES Dear Secretary Vilsac k

an dActin g AdiSftinistrato r Shea , Th e Human e Societ

y o f th e Unite dState s (HSUS) , Worl dWildUf e Fun d (WWF) , Th e Globa l Federatio n o f Anima l Sanctuarie s (GFAS) , Th e Internationa l Fun dfo r

Anima l Welfar e (IFAW) , Bor n Fre e US A (BFUSA) , Th e Fun dfo r

Animal s ("Th

e Fund") , an dBi g Cat Rescu e (BCR ) submitte da petitio n t o th e U.S . Departmen t

o f Agricultur e o n Octobe

r 18 , 2012 , requestin g tha t th e Secretary an dAnima l an dPlan t Healt h Inspectio n Servic e amen dth e Anima l Welfar e Ac t

handlin g regulation s t

o explicitl y prohibi t

licensee s from allowin g member s o f

th e pubUc t

o com e int o direc t

br unsaf e clos e contac t

wit h bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primate s o f an y age . Enclose do n th e dis c herei n i s an amende dcop y o f th e petitio n (an dassociate d appendices) , whic h i s intende dt o supersede th e versio n previousl y submitte d an dwhic h include s th e foUowin g changes :

• Thi s amende dpetitio n reflect s tha t th e Detroi t

Zoological Societ

y ha s joine da s aco-petitioner .

Piinted on recydcd pepet. Celebratin g Animal s | Confrontin g Cruelt y

' 210 0 L Street , N W Washington , DC 2003 7 1202.452.110 0 f 202.778.613 2 humanesociety.or gThi s amende dpetitio n add s severa l entitie s t o th e Hs t o f licensee s engage di n pubH c contac t exhibitio n (se

e Appendi x A regardin g Animal s b ? Montan a(#81-C-0055) , Josi p Marca n (#58-0-0270) , Wal k o n th e Wil dSid e (#92-C-0159) , Pamel aWelc h (#71-C-0171) , an dWolve s Wood s an dWUdlif e (#41-C-0215)). i Thi s amende dpetitio n als o clarifie s i n th e propose dregulatory tex t tha t veterinar y student s accompan5dn

g license dveterinarian s woul dals o b e exemp t

fromth e prohibitio n o n direc t

an dunsaf

e clos e contact , t

o ensure tha t

veterinar y student s can undertake th e necessar y trainin g t

o develo p skill s tc trea t

exoti c animals . HSUS and our co-petitioners urge USDA to accept pubUc comment

on this matter, and

we urge you to pubUsh this amended version as soon as possible. Expedited action by USDA is needed to curb the rampant

and dangerous trend

of allowing members of

the pubUc to come into contact

with big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates. A recent USDA enforcement action against

a repeat

offender engaged

in unsafe public contact with dangerous wild animals higlilights the need for a clear prohibition. See In, Re Sidney J Yost, AWA Docket No. 12-0294: (including a claim that the licensee violated

the Animal

Welfare Act

by exhibiting a lion on the Tonight Show before a live audience with insufficient distance and no barrier), available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/fcia/enforcemen t actions//2012/November/Animal%20Welfare% 2 0Act%20(AWA)/Complaints/lL09100-A C Sidnev%20Jav%20Yos t 03161 2 Redacted.pdf

. Furthe r evidencin g th e nee dfo r regulatio n o f

thi s unsaf

e practice , man y state s hav e alread y take n step s t

o restric t pubHc contac t

wit h dangerou s wil danimal s an dnumerou s othe r state s ar e poise dt

o consider

legislatio n i n th e comin g year t o prohibi t

suc h activity . See , e.g. , Miss . Admin . Cod e § 40-l-32:VI ; A Z Admin . Cod e § Rl.2-4-407 ; Kan . Stat . Ann . § 32-1306(d) ; Tenn . Cod

e § 70-4-404 ; Wash . Rev . Cod e § 16.30.010 ; N J Admin . Cod e 7:25-4.9 ; 2 5 Tex . Admin . Cod

e § 169.131 ; 3 De l Admi n Cod e § 304-6.0 ; L A Admin . Cod e tit . 76 , pt . V , sec . 115 ; O RAdmin . Rule s § 603-011-0381 ; Ohi o Rev . Cod e § 935.C 6 (as uphel di n Wilkin s e t al . V . Daniel s e

t al . Cas e No. : 2:12-cv-101 0 (S.D . O H Decembe r 20 , 2012)) . However , despite thi s tren dtowar dprohibitin g publi c contact , severa l state s d o not hav e suc h prohibitions . Thus , afedera l prohibitio n i s neede dt o establis h uniformit y o n thi s issue . A federa l prohibitio n i s als o neede dbecaus e th e commercia l interest s drivin g thi s practic e are attempting t

o rol l br.c

k certai n existin g state restriction s (for example , Michigan' s

• Th e amende dpetitio n (Appendi

x A) als o identifie s tw

o examples o

f unlicensedindividual s (Dav e Salmon i an dDavi dMizejewski ) wh

o fi"equently exhibit

bi g cats , bears , an

dnonhuma

n primate s fro m unknow n anima l suppliers , ofte

n allowing unsaf

e clos e an ddirect contac t wit h untraine dmember

s o f th e pubhc . Thi s raise s concerns tha t suc h individual s ar

e improperl

y exhibitin g withou

t aUcens e an ddemonstrate s ho

w difficvilt

i t i s t o enforc e th e curren t performance standar

dwhe n Ucense d exhibitors allow independen t personaUtie s t

o us e their animal s for

exhibitio n purposes .legislatur e recentl y passe dabU l (later vetoe dby th e Governor) t o allo w member s o f

th e pubHc t o interac t

wit h bea

r cub s u p t o 9 0 pounds , whic h woul dpos e asignifican t threa t t o pubUc safety an dwoul db e inconsisten t

wit h USDA' s curren t

regulations) . Se

e Lette r t o th e Edito r fromDeirdr e Herbert , mother o f abear-maulin g victi mwho becam e enamore dwit h interactin g wit h bear s afte r workin g fo r

an exhibito r

who use dbea

r cub s fo r photographi c opportunitie s (Appendi x A) . W e appreciate you r

promp t attentio n t

o thi s matter . Sincerely ,

Jonatha n R . Lowor n Senio r Vic e Presiden t Anima l Protectio n Litigatio n & Investigation s Th e Human e Societ

y of th e Unite dState s 210 0 L Stree t

N WWashington , D C 2003 7http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121117/OPINION01/211170305/1007/OPINION/Lett e

r-Large-carnivores-aren-t-saf e Th e Detroi t

New s Novembe r

17 , 201 2 Letter : Larg e carnivore s aren' tsaf e Th e Michiga n Senat e ha s passe dabUl , Senat e Bil l 1236 , whic h woul dweake n th e state' s Larg e Carnivor e Ac t

b y allowin g roadsid e zoo s an dothe r anima l exhibitor s to charg e member s ofth e publi c t o handl e captiv e bear cub s u p t o 3 6 week s o f age . Whil e havin g a phot o take n wit h abear cub ma y see mharmles s o n th e surface , I kno w fromfirst-hand experienc e tha t

th e consequence s ofthi s legislatio n coul db e tragi c an dcostly . M y 24-yeai:-ol dson . Bren t Kandra , wa s introduce dto th e naiv e behe f tha t bear s an dtiger s wer e no t dangerou s animal s whe n he bega n workin g i n amal l pe t store a t th e ag e o f

1 7 year s old . Th e pe t

sho p owne r

allowe dth e pubU c t o handl e an dpos e wit h bear an dtige r cub s fo r photos . Thi s earl y exposur e t o cub s di dno t enUghte n hi mt o th e extrem e danger s tha t thes e animal s presen t

whe n the y becom

e older . Then , on e evenin g i n Augus t 2010 , Bren t wa s viciousl y maule db y abear tha t ha dinteracte dwit h member s ofth e publi c fo r years . Th e bear

inflicte dmore tha n 60 0 wounds . Th e autops y repor t state s tha t

Bren t die d from"multipl e blun t

impact s an dshar p forc e injurie s t o th e head , tors o an dextremities. " Losin g ou r

so n wa s devastating , an dw e don' t wan t t o see anothe r

famil y go throug h th e experience ' o f

thi s preventabl e tragedy . Eve n youn g bear s hav e shar p teet h an dlon g claws , an dar e powerfu l an dunpredictabl e wU danimal s capabl e o f harmin g someone , particularl y children . I n orde r t o b e use dfo r pubh c handhhg , th e babie s ar e take n fro mthei r mother s a t

jus t afe w day s o r

week s o f

age . Wha t wil l becom

e o f the monc e the y gro w u p an dar e n o longe r usefu l fo r

money-makin g ' ventures ? Michigan' s Larg e Carnivor e Ac t ha s protecte dcitizen s fo r more tha n adecade . I f Ohi o ha d passe dasimila r

bU l year s ago , m y so n migh t stil l b e alive . I urg e th e Michiga n Hous e to vote n o o n Senat e Bil l 1236 . Deirdr e J . Herbert , Elyria , Ohi oBEFOR E TH E UNITE D STATE S DEPARTMEN T O F AGRICULTUR E

I T H E HUMAN E SOCIET Y O FTH E UNITE D STATES , WORL D WILDLIF E FUND , T H E GLOBA L FEDERATIO N O FANIMA L SANCTUARIES , T H E INTERNATIONA L FUN D FO RANIMA L WELFARE , ,

BOR N FRE EUSA , T H E FUN D FO

RANIMALS , - BI G CA T RESCUE , AN D DETROI T ZOOLOGICA L SOCIET Y

PETITIONER S PETITIO N FO RRULEMAKIN G T O PROHIBI T PUBLI C CONTAC T WIT H BI G CATS , BEARS , AN D NONHUMA N PRIMAGE S

Ann aFrosti c (D.C . Ba r

No . 977732 ) Kimberl y Ocken e (D.C . Ba r No . 461191 ) Th e Human e Societ

y o f th e Unite dState s 210 0 L Stree t

N WWashington , D C 2003 7 afrostic@humanesocietv.org Amended January 7, 2013 (originall y filedOctobe

r 18 , 2012)TABL E O FCONTENT S 

# \• .. . I . Notic e o

f Petitio n 3 II . Introductio n : 8 III . Example s of

Facihtie s that

Offe r Publi c Contac t

wit h Daiigerou s Wil dAnimals.. 9 IV . Lega l Backgroun dan dAuthorit y t o Amen dRegulation s 1 3 V . CurrentHand.UngRegulation s Ar e Difficul t t o Enforce,an dAppHe d Inconsistently . ; i ; 1 9 VI . PubUc HandUn g of Bi g Cats , Bears , an dNonhuma n Primate s Undermine s Anima l Welfare , PubU c Safety , an dConservatio n an dMus t B e Prohibited.......2 3 A . Unmanage dBreedin g ; . i.. ; .' . ..' . 2 4 B . Prematur e Mother-Infan t Separatio n , 2 7 C . Excessiv e HandUn g of Youn g an dImmatur e Animal s 3 4 D . T f

aveUng Exhibition...,,....I....;..... . -,.. . - , .3 5 E . Abusiv e Training , Declawing , an dDe-Fangihg . . • 3 8 F . Diseas e Transfe r tc Exhibite dAnimals...!';.......; ; ......3 9 G . Ris k

o f Physica l Injur y t

o PubU c Durin g HandUn g 4 2 H . Zoonoti c Diseas e Transfe r t o PubUc . !.. . .4 3 I . Ris k

o f Injur y t o PubU c Afte r

HandUng... . .....4 6 J . Conservatio n Impact s 4 9 VII . Propose dAmendment s t o HandUn g Regulations.. . . ..v. . ;.-.....5 1 VIII . Conclusion . ; . :•; .o . > . .: . 5 4 IX . Exper t

Declaration s . , .v.. ! r. ; '.-HI'.. . 5 6 X. Appendices.... ....See Enclosed Disc A . Evidenc e of

PubU c C'britact'b y License dExhibit^^ ^ B . Exampl e o f

USD A Inventor

y Inaccurac y C . Example s o f

Transport

fo r PubU c Contac t

Exhibitio n D . Example s o f

Dispositio n t

o Substandar dFaciUtie s E . Scientifi c Article s Cite dNotic e o f Petitio n c ' " . . ' f i O . \.I8.A' r Honorabl e To mVilsack , Secretary ..... . U.S . Departmen t

o f Agricultur e 140 0 Independenc e Av e SW.,. , . i ; Washington, ! D C 2025 0 ; ' • • ' ; ' Kevi n Shea , Acting Adininistrato

r ' " Anima l an d Plan tHealt h Inspectio

n Servic e U.S . Departmen

tof-Agriculture: ^ I • ,470 0 Rive rRoad , Unit84/ . h n'>J ; -. - r. - ? • • •Riverdale

, M D 20737-123

4 PETITIONERS : • ^ ' • • ' ' ^ ' Th e Human e Societ

y o f th e Unite dState s 210 0 L Street , N W j^

o . r . , s -

A/.• • ' ' Washington,;DC.20037.,• . ^ , , ,-.> ; Worl dWildUf

e Fun d 125024t h Sti-ee t N W Washington , D C 2003 7 "'• ' ' Th e Globa l Federatio n o f Animal-Sanctuarie s R O . Bo x 3229 4 .Washington , D C 20007 _ ...vt ' ,o.i:-rr

Th e Internationa l Fun dfo r Anmg^^ .

r r . . , ^ ^ , 135 0 Connecticut'"Avenu e ]SfW,^'Suit e '1^26' ' ' . ''''^l".'," ' Washington, ' D C 20036'

- ' ' • ' ' ' ' ^ ^r^^,(^:. •

Bor n Fre e US A P.O . Bo x 3216 0 Washington, ; D C 20007

i Th e Fun dfo r

Animal s 20 0 Wes t 57i h Stree t Ne w York , N Y1001 9 Bi g Ca t Rescu e 12802 Eas y Stree t Tampa , F L 3362 5 Detroi t Zoological Societ

y 845 0 W . 1 0 Mil e Rd . Roya l Oak , M l 48067i'i '

Dea r Secretar y Vilsac k

an dActin g Administrato r Shea ; /

/ . Th e Human e Socie.ty'.o^jtheWnit e Worl dWildlifejun d(WWF) , Th e Globa l Federatio n o f

Animal . Sanctuaries ; (GFAS), , Th e Internationa l Fun dfo r Anima l Welfar e (IFAW) , Bor n Fre e USA ^ (BFUSA),^Tli e Fund , for Fund" X Bi g Ca t .Rescu e (BCR) , an dth e Detroit . ZoologicaL,Societ y (collectivel y "Petitioners") . hereb y petitio n th e Secretar y o f

Agricultur e an djthe , Administrato r o f the . Anima l an dPlan t Healt h Inspectio n Servic e (APHIS) , pui;$uan t to,,th e Firs t

Amendment.f) f

th e Unite dState s Constitution, i th e

. Administrativ e Procedur e Act. ^ an dU.S . Departmen t o f Agricultur e (USDA ) regulations, ^ t o .am8nd.APHIS'..janimal,ihandUng , regulation s to , explicitUr . prohibi t Anima l Welfar e Act , (AWA ) Ucensee s fromaUowin g member s o f th e pubUc,t o ;Comednt Q direc t o r unsafe clos e contac t wit h bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuma n primate s o f an y age . Propose dregulator y tex t i s include dherei n and , 'as : discussed ' i n thi s petition , 'adoptin g this ' propose drule i i s necessai y t o promot e anima l welfare'(a s reqiiire db y th e AWA , 7'U"iS.C . § 2143(a) ) an d conservation , an dto protec t piibU c safet y an dconsume r expectations ; •

• " . -

, ^ V , .. . , .Descriptio n o f Petitioner s ; . • • . : HSU S i s th e nation' s larges t stnima l protectio n organizatio n wit h ovb r 1 1 milUo n member s an dconstituents . Base di n Washington , DC , HSU S work s to ' protec t a U animal s throug h education , investigation , Utigation , legislation , advocacy , an dfieldwork . HSU S activel y ;Work s t o improyO

j th e management,o f

^wildlif e i n captivit y in . orde r t o promot e anima l ,welfare , nonserx'atipn , an dpublic , safety . HSU S menj^bers^.,regularly , visi t .USD ^ exhibitors ' faciiitie s an denjo y seeing ^ animal8,^^^hp , ar e we U care d.fo r an dappropriatel y displayed , bu t

ar e distresse dwhe n the y vie w aniinal s . bein g mistreate dor,.exhibite di n a manne r tha t jeopardize s pubU c safet y an dconservation , ^efforts. , HSU S alsp , operate s five anima l car e center s tha t provide^.iqarej.jto : thousand s o f animals , including'^bi g cat s an d nonhuma n primates . .Tha t tw p ,o f these.faciUtie s are,Ucense db y APHI S mean s tha t HSU S ha s astron g interes t i n .ensurin g that , al l captive , anima l facilitie s ar e abidin g b y regulation s t o protec t

anima l welfar e an dpubU c safety . . WWF' s missio n i s t o sto p th e degradatio n b f ou r planet' s natura l eiivironment , an dbuU da futur e i n whic h humans,Uy e i n harmpn y wit h nature . I n orde r t o achiev e thi s mission , WW F(wit h rnore tha n 5 , miUio n members , globally ) ,f p ensurin g that , th e world' s biodiversit y stay s health y ;fo r futur e generation s .an d,t o reduc e negativ e impact s o f huma n

' "Congres s sha

U mak e no law .. . abridgin g .. . th e righ t o f th e people .. . to petitio n Governmen t fo r a redres s o f

grievances. " • U.S l -GONST. , amend . I.

- Th e Supreme Coiir t ha s recognize dtha t

the'righ t

to petitio n i s logicall y impUci t in , an dfundamenta l to , th e ver y ide ao f

arepubUca

n for mo f goyernment . Unite dState s v . Cruilisiianli , 9 2 U.S . 542 , 55 2 (1875); < Unite dMin k

Workers 6 f America , Dist . 1 2 v . Illinoi s ^tate Ba r Ass'n , 389- U S. . 217 , 222 (1967) ; Thoma s v . CO//CT,S ; 32 3 U.S . 516,530(1945) . , . , 2- 5 U.S.C . §'553(e) . ' " ' 3 7 C.F.R . § 1.28 . 4activity . WW Fi s particularl y intereste din i tige r conservation

- a s 9.7

% of wU dtiger s hav e disappeare dI sinc e th e beginnin g o f th e 20 * century an dthere ar e no w mor e tiger s Uvin g ir i captivit y i n |th

e U.S ! tha n exist'i n th e wild.^'^T o •promote'tige r c6ri^^^^ ^ WW Fwork s wit h th e 1 3 tige r

rang e states'i n Asi aan ddoniesticaU y t o ensure tHa

t on e of th e primar y threats ' t o th e species , poachin g fo r traditiona l 'A;siah ' niedidne'; ^ aUeviated . WW F advocate s fo r

greater^over^ight'o f

U.S . daptiv e tiger'nUmbdrs an ddis ^ order

t o ensure tha t

captiv e 'tiger s are riot

contributin g t

o Ulegal'trad e ari dt o bnsure tha t th e U.S . meet s it s infernationia l dbUgation^ . Beciaus e tiget s iar e freqlientiy bre dan dniistreate dfo r th e piirjibs e o f

publi c cPritac t

exhibition , an dbecaus e i t i s iirikribw n ho w al l o f thes e tiger s are dispose dof, ' W\^ ' 'has ! dl^cbricret e interest'i n stronge r

federia l regiilatio n o f

pubUc handUri g a

t USD A Uce'ri'se

dexhibitioriTabiUtie ^ •--< ' ' GFA S wa s estabUshe dt P prpmpte,.exceUence i n sanctuary naanagemen t an di n humain

e 'care , o f animals ; throug h .'international-accreditation , coUaboration , mentoring , and ; greate r recognitio n an dresource s fo r sanctuaries , whil e seekin g t p eUrninat

e t/h e cause s o f

displace d animals . Ther e ar

e ove r 8 0 sanctuarie s accredite dan dverifie db y GFA S i n th e U.S . - thes e faciUtie s hav e earne dth e highest'leve l of credibUity ah dar

e clearl y distinguishe dfrom pseudo-sanctuarie s an dsubstandar dfacilitie^ . GFA S sanctuarie s d o no t ^^aUo W jdirec t contac t or .unsaf e clos e contac t

between th e publi c ,^n db^ g cats , bears , or

nonhuman primates. r

., j . . • . . , r , . . , , : IP'AW'saves|'ariiiriafe''i n crisi s aroiiri dth e wP^ld . 'With'clos e t o 2 milUbn'meirilier s an d projects'ir i mor

e thari ' 46'c6uritries , IFA Wrescues'individua l animal s ftbri i c'ruelt y ari d a'dVbcat6s:fbr

the ' prbtectibri o f

wildUf e aric f riaturat^Uabitats; Protecting ^ c big'cats , bearsV'arid^ribnhumar

i primate s ir i the''U.'S;'i s acore * IFA Wfocii k

I n th e U.S . t

b date , IFA W ha s rescue dari'dWbcate d120'captiv e bi g cat s frbmSackyar dmeriageries'an d^iibstand'ar d faciUties. I n 2ii)'G4

, IFA Wconducte da'brie'-yea' r iriWstigatio n o f

4 2 USDA-Ucense dfacilitie s tha t reveale dseverel y inadequate welfar e praJctices?'Publi c contac t betwee n dangerbu s bi g cat s an dhumari s - includin g very youn g childre n wa s prevaieii t a t man y o f th e faciUties . IFA Wmember s regularl y enjo y viewin g animal s huriianel y calle dfor : an dexhibite din ' a manne r thatlprotect s th e healt h .an dwelfar e of

.th e .animal s an

^ Bor n Fre e USA's ' missio n i s t b en dth e siifferiri ^ o f wil danimkl s 'i n captivity , rescu e individua l aiiiriial s ir i riieed, protec t wUdUfe-^uicludiri g Highl y specie s - i n thei r natura l habitats , ari dencourag e cbin'passioni^t e cbrisVrvatiPr

i globaUy ! Th e Bor n Fre e US A Primat e Sanctuar y i n Texa s provide s car e t o over 60 0 primates , man y o f who mwer

e rescue d.fro mabusiv e situation s i n roadside , zoo s an dprivat e possession . I n 201 2 alone . Bor n Fre e US A ha, s rescue dpy^^^ ^ i Th e . Fun dfo r

Animal s i s anationa l non-profi t organizatio n tha t

advocate s fo r

preservin g wild'population s o f

ariimal s an dpreventin g abus e o f captiv e wildlife . Th e FunS-operate s th e Clevelan dAmor y Blac k Beaut y Ranc h (#74-C-0854) , an anima l care/facUit y tha tprovide s sanctuary t o hundred s of

animals , includin g thre e tiger s wh o wer e rescue dfro ma substandar dfaciUty license dby USDA . Bi g Ca t Rescu e i s on

e of th e larges t

sanctuarie s fo r

bi g cat s an di s accredite db y GFAS . A s a nonprofi t organization , BC Rprovide s Ufetime car e t o ove r 10 0 larg e feUds , includin g tigers , Uons , leopards , an dcougars , wh o wer e abandone dor

seize dfro msubstandar dfaciUtie s an d privat e owners . BC Rstrive s t o educat e th e pubU

c about thes e animal s an dth e issue s tha t captiv e an dwil dbi g ca

t population s face . Th e Detroi t

Zoological Society' s missio n i s t o demonstrate leadershi p in . wildUf e conservatio n an danima l welfare . T o advanc e thi s goal th e Detroi t .Zoological Societ

y provide s abroa daudienc e wit h educationa l opportunitie s tha t lea dt o th e appreciatio n an d stewardshi p of

nature . Throug h it s Cente r fo r Zoo Anima l Welfare , th e Detroi t Zoological Societ y promote s exoti c anima l welfar e scienc e an dbes t practices . Th e Detroi t Zoo i s a Ucensedexhibito r

tha t house s bi g cats , primates , an dbears . Request for Regulatory Amendment Petitioner s respectfuU y reques t tha t USD A an dAPHI S mpv e expeditiously , t

o addres s th e welfar e an dpubUc safet y crisi s cause db y Ucense dexhibitor s breedin g an dusin g bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primate s fo r pubUc handUn g an dadop t tU e regulatio n p»ropqsedi n thi s petition . Se

e 7 C.F.R . § 1.28 ("petition s wU l b e give n promp t

consideratio n an d petitioner s wU l b

e notifie dpromptl y o f

th e dispositio n mad

e o f thei r petitions") ; 5 U.S.C . § 555(b) (Federa l agencie s ar e require dt

o definitivel y respon dt o petitiori s an dmus t "conclud e amatte r

presented " t

o th e agency "withi n areasonabl e time") ; Nationa l Park s Conservatio n Ass' n v . U.S . Dept . o f Interior , 794 F.Supp.2 d3 9 (D.D.C,2011) ; I n r e America n River s an dIdah o River s United , 37 2 F.3 d413 , 41 9 (D.C.dr.,2004 ) (" areasonabl e tim e fo r agency actio n i s typicaU y counte di n week s or months , no t

yeai"s") ; Telecommunication s Researc h an dActio n Cente r v . F.C.C. , 75 0 F.2 d70 , 8 0 (D.C.Cir.,1984 ) ("delay s tha t migh t b e reasonabl e i n th e spher e of economic regulatio n ar

e les s tolerabl e whe n huma n healt h an d welfar e ar

e a t stake.") . Petitioner s appreciate th e agency' s consideratio n of thi s matte r

an dwoul db

e gla dt o provid e any furthe r

informatio n tha t

i s needed . RespectfuU y submitte dby :

Wayn e PaceUe , Presiden t an dCE O Th e Human e Societ

y of th e Unite dState sLeig h Heriry, ' iSenio r PoUc y ^Advisor ' Worl dWildUf

e Fun dU.S.- i vr ? ' •' 1 I •. ; V •

Patt y ..Finch , Executiv e Director , , ^ Globa l Federatio n o f

Anima l Sanctuarie s

Trace y Coppola , Campaign s Office r Internationa l Fun dfo r

Anima l Welfar e

Ada mM . Roberts , Executiv e Vic e Presiden t Bor n Fre e US AMichae l Markarian , Presiden t . Th e Fun dfo r

Animal s * . I . •

Carol e Baskin , CE O Bi g Cat ' Rescu e

,'!•.•-V.

-

Ro n Kagan , Executiv e Directo r an dCE O Detroit.Zoological

Society r

• . - rr, .. ' ij^: '

.j..> l i . Introductio n ' ' ' "' ' " ' - • . • i : 'x ^ M

- • . J - ' , ? .v : "-jA r • • Thi s natio n i s currentl y facin g ani'epidemic . o f ~:UnquaUfiedindividual s an dfaciUtie s possessin g dangerou s wU danimals; ; whieh'threaten s bot h pubUc safety ari danima l welfare . Thousand s o f

bi g cats , bears , aridinenhurnan primate s resid e i n exhibitio n faciUtie s aroun d th e country tha t

ar e Ucense dby

) APHIS ^ ye t

routinel y conduct'activitie s tha t undermin e anima l welfar e - fo r

examiyle,;<;th

e commercia l us e o f

dangerou s animal s fo r pubUc interactio n an dphotographi c opportunities. ^ Animal s subjecte dt o pubUc,contac t

exhibitio n (man y endiaiigered) ar

e irrespbnsibl y bre dwit h no regar dfo r geneti c integrity ; the y are prematurel y an dforcibly si^pai^atg dfrom ^ thieir ; mother s an ddeprive dof norma l biplpgica l an dbehaviora l deyelopm^ent ; thej^ . ar e subjecte dto , excessive.^handUng ,that , pose s a,ris k ,t o th e healt h o f

undevelope danimal s an dt o th e safety o f

human s (especiaU

y chUdren ) interactin g wit h them ; the y ofte n trave l th e country i n crampe denclosure s fo r th e commercial gai n of

Ucensees ; an dthe y ar

e often ^ disposed : o f

a t sijbstandar dfacUitie s whe n the y are n

o longer commerciaHy useful . Ther e ,i s simpl y n p safe.or . humanevwa y t o allow , fo r

* License dexhibitors tha

t ar e ho t separatel y accredite

dby'th e Globa

l Federation ; o

f Anima l Sanctuarie s (GFAS ) o

r th e Association o

f Zoos , an dAqua!rium

s (AZA ) ar e fa r mor e likel y t o hav e unqualifie demployee

s an dinadequat

e facilitie s aridpractices , suc h a s aUowin g publi c contact : wit

h dangerous animals . • / ' r , ^ - i - 8

# "

1 pubU c handUn g o f

bi g cats , bears , o r

nonhuma n primates.o f .any.age, ; an di t

i s essentia l tha t APHI S expUcitl y prohibi t suc h activity . Th e Anima l I Welfar e Ac t (AWA ) require s USDA/APHI S t o Ucens e faciUties

- tha t engag e i n action s tha t

substantiaU y affec t

interstat e commerc e (suc h a s exhibiting-'^animal s t o th e pubU c o r

breeding/deaUn g animals^) , an drequire s th e agenc y t o adop t regulation s "to gover n th e human e handUng , care , treatment , an dtransportation"„o f animal s possesse db y Ucensees . 7 U.S.C . § 2i43(a) . Becaus e ther e ar e hundred s o f Ucense,d>f$iciUtie s tha t posses s dangerou s animals , i t i s imperativ e tha t

regulation s governin g human e haridUn g o f animal s a t

thes e faciUtie s ar e clearl y designe dt o effectivel y protec t anima l welfar e an d pubU c safet y eve n whe n n o federa l inspecto r i s presen t

t o detec t

violations . 3 r.- v Unfortunately , numerou s faciUtie s tha t ar e Ucense db y APHI S currentl y operate , i n a manne r tha t fail s t o protec t

anima l welfar e an dpubU c safety , an dthes e Ucensees ' action s undermin e conservatio n effort s an dconsume r expectation s tha t

th e federa l governmen t i s onl y Ucensin g upstandin g faciUties . I n particular , b y aUowin g member s p f th e pubU c t o com e int o direc t

an dunsafe clos e contac t wit h bi g cats , bears , o r nonhuma n primate s o f an y ag e (throug h interactiv e session s an dphotographi c opportunities) , thes e Ucensee s creat e a n inhuman e an ddangerou s situatio n no t onl y durin g suc h contact , bu t fo r th e entir e decades

lon g lif e cycl e o f

th e animal s involved . 

### .or ., -r 

### ' ^••. On e yea r

ag p th e natio n wa s horrifie dwhe n adisturbe dOhi o ma n released'riearl y 50'bi g cats , bears , i nonhuma n primate s an dothe r dangerou s animal s fromhi s backyar d menagerie , leadin g t o th e animal s bein g kille di n orde r t o protec t

th e surroundin g community . Unqualifie downer s ar e abl e t o acquir e s o man y dangerou s animal s precisel y becaus e o f

th e s.urplu s .of.bighGats , ;bears ; and:nonhuma n primate s tha t i s create dfoUowin g irresponsible , and ; u.nmanage dbreeding_..of: , thes_e.(,8pecie s for . pubU c contac t exhibition . Therefore , APHI S ha s a.statutor y dut y t o amend , it s regulation s ,t o expUcitl y prohibi t

pubU c contac t w^th j bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuma n primatesr'of/any . age , i n orde r ft p ensur e th e human e .treatmen t

o f thes e specie s an dt o protec t pubU c safety ; .f:.' . /• . /// . Example s o f

Facilitie s tha t

Offe r Publi c Contac t

wit h Dangerou s Wil dAnimals , i A t leas t 7 0 Ucerise dfaciUtie s acros s th e U;S . -ar e engaged ^ in-'tU e unsafe ari dalarmin g busines s o f

kUowing-nieriiber s o f th e pubUc ; -iricrudiri g siriaU'chUdren , t o interac t ari dpos e 5 Unfortunately, ' riiiinerous individual s wli o d o no t exhibi t animal s hav e availe dthemselve s o f USD A license s i n order

t o take advantag e o f

state laws'tha t

exemp t suc h licensee s fro mprohibition s o n th e possessio n o f

dangerou s animals . A recen t audi t b y th e USD A Offic e o f

Inspecto r

Genera l foun dtha t 70% o f th e licensee s wit h foiu : o r les s animal s wer

e i n fac t pet owners , no t

exhibitors . USD A Offic e o f Inspecto r General , Control s Over.APHI S Licensin g o f Anima l Exhibitors , Audi t Reporfc.33601-10-Ch , p . 5 (Jun e 2010) . APHI S mus t ensure tha t

its . licensin g regulations-ar e strictl y apphed , s o tha t individuals,wh o are no t conductin g -regulated;activitie s canno t obtai n ahcense.'APHI S mus t als o ensure tha t

a U Ucensee s compl y wit h th e anima l protectio n mandate s ofth e AWA . -. i t 91 ^

with dangerous wild

animals. The following USDA-Ucehsed exhibitors^

have allowed visitors to come into direct contact arid unsafe close contact

with'big cats, bears, and/or nonhuman primates in , recent years; arid: iribst

'of the'foUb\ving Ucerisees continue to advertise for

public hari'iUng of

dangeroilis aiiiinals today.'' See Appendix

A for eviderice of pubUc handUng at

these exhibition faciUties.. , -M '' ^i '

' 1 ) Alabain aGulf-Coast . Zo o (Gul f .Shores , AL,#64- C ! , , ' " 2) Aloha Safari Zo6'(Camerpri;,N.C.#55^^^^^^\ ^ 3 ) Animal s o f

Monta(na|Bozem ^ ' , v ' - r . * • ' " 4 ) Antle , Bhagava n (d/b/a'T.LG.E.R.'s,. , Rlyrtl e Beach , -S. C #56^C'r6ll6 ) * " .. . ' V , . 5 ) Bi g Cat s o f

Serenit y |§prings1(Cal|ian;;c 6 id4-C'M^9f-t^"'.''.',.»' * • ' " . 6) Brown, Gerald

tLancaf^e^"

PA #2^-C!-0p24^> '.V'>^'/' " '.. 7 ) Brown' s Oakridg e Exotic s (SmitMLeC^ L #3'a-C.-ii607) ; •. ' ''1^. : J , ' / , \' " 8 ) Buck s Count y Zo o (Warminster , P A #23.-C-02.6 8 [iicerise ^ cancele d4/2/12] ) 9 ) Capita l o f

Texa s Zoo'(CedarCreek;TX#74-C-0644 ) V ' '^-V;/',

- ' 10 ) Casady' s Critter s (Cascade , WI#35:C-i0235) : ' H . , ' " . ' !E< - 11 ) Casey , Conni e (d/b./ aChim.part y - Misspur i Priniates , Festus,'MO'#43'-C-03i5 ^ 12 ) ,Casey , Ja.me s M . (d/b'/ aA . 'fGrea t

Axte " Experierice ) (Las'Vegasl! ^ . . 13 ) Cheroke e Bea r

Zo o (Brysor i City , ISI

C #55-C-0118 ) ' ' ' ' ' 14) Chestatee.y^ldlife Preserve (Dahlpnega,,GA#57- ! , ^.'.'^ 15 ) Coljurn , Wniian i (d/b/ aWU dAcre s " , Adventure s (at

Kalahari•Resori^)-( S , ' " • 16 ) Cook , Marcu s (d/b/ aZo6cats;Trio...!ak a2k)o,bynaLmi<» ) (ka'ufiD.tol-'T X #74-0-042 6 [Ucens e revoke d2/17/12]) 8 " * '• 6 Man y o f

thes e facihties ar

e affiliate dwit n th e deceptivfely-riamed ' Z (ZAA) . Whil e the AW A provide s minimum'standard^Tor " anSm'a l weKa^ ^ ma

y b e privatel y accredite dan dvoluntaril y mee t Wgher-standards'b y Beconiin g -a ^ o f Zoo s and Aquariums (AZA) or

the Global

Federation of'Animal

Sanctuaries (GFAS): i The AZA is the only domestic organization that manages endangered

species through.Species Survival Plans (SSP) based on the best

available science to promotte the-welfare of the,'atmnals and

maintain genetic integrity of captive colonies. See http://www.aza.org/speciesrsurvival-plan-program/. In contrast, ZAA accredits faciUties that

do not promote welfare or

conservation. The primary goal of ZAA is to promote, exotic pet ownership and

.the exploitation of

ammals for

entertainment, purposes. See ZAA .Mission Statement, "

' ' available at http://www.zaoa.org/index.php?option=co mcontent&view=article&id=20&Iteiiiid= 3 ("Ou r missio n i s to promot

e th e resporiijible'bwuersliip , management , an dpropa^ ^ o f animal s i n bot

h publi c an dprivat e domains" ; "W e striv e to : . . . promot e 'conservatio n throug h commerce ' a s th e onl y sustainabl e alternative ' t o faile dcohinland'''aii dcbntrol ' wildlife ' regulations.") . Indeed , ZA A specificall y aUow s it s member s to faeiUtate pubhc'contac t wit h .erroiic ariimals . See,ZA A Standards , http://www.zaoa.org/index.php?option=co mcontent&view~':artick;&id~.21&Iicem7.d~22 ; '. ; ^ Not e that whU e afe w o f

thes e Ucensee s d

o no t currentl y posses s big>cats , bears, , o r nonhuman primate s tha t

coul db e use di n pubU

c contac t exhibitio n (either

becaus e th e animal s thfi y posses s are so aggressiv e tha t

the y canno t

b e handle db y anyone , o r

becaus e th e animal s the y recentl y use dhav e been transferre dt

o other facihties) , thes e facilitie s woul dhkel y continu e suc h commercial'us e i f th e opportunity arises . . V . 8 Note tha t

whil e Mr ; Cook' s Uceiis e was recentl y revoked , h e apparentl y continue s toioperate a s a n "employee " o f

anothe r i licensee'(Michae l Todd'd/h/aTodd' s Pon y & Ha y Rides , #33-0-0388) . Se e Fre d 1 017)Corley,Beth(Wynnewpod,,OK#73rC-pi67).U;; vi'r.h\>-;('j^ •• 'iS.jv. ;. • '

18XCouga

rMountai n Zoo (.I§saquah,.'W A #91-0-0^0^

^ 19 ) Cub.Cree k Scienc e Cap p (RpUa,^M O #43-,q ^ - i , . 20 ) Dad e Cit y Wil d Thing s (.ak a Stearn s Zoologica

l Rescu e arid'Rehab

) (Dad e City , FL , ' #58-0-0883

) • .-' ^ ^ ••r-r'-y-r-jr^ c ' . -X.f/: . • - . . 21 ) DE W Anima l Kingdo m an d Sanctuar y (Moun tVerriori , M E #11^0-0017

) - 22 ) DeYoun g Famil y Zoo (WaUace , MI , #34:0-0141

) . . _ 23 ) Dolci , Phi l (d/b/

a Banan a bii^y ) (6jikbr<yb

k tei^^ic^'it#33-d':0247 5 , V

' : ',' 24 ) Engessei- , Rober t(d/b/ a Th e Zo o aka , Jiirigl e Safari ) ((jhiefland ! F L #58-C-()295 ) ' ' ] ' 25 ) Evans , Keit h (d/b/

a Upn.Phot

o Stiidibs ) (Herid6rsori,'Ny.',#88-C-0b64 ) - '. " ' . 26 ) G.W . Exoti c Aiiima l i»'ark. (WynriWoo ^ #73-0-0139)::: * ' ; ' •'.'• . • ' ' 27 ) Grea tCi tAdventure s (Ai^ii^o , ''T X #74^e-d$2 r •llieBii^^voK4d;3/2/12]) 9 ' ' 28) Hoffnmn, Bill

(d/b/a Animal

R^ntal9)(C^4go,lL #33-Cr06^^ ' '"' 29 ) Jungl e Islan d (Miami, FL'#i5i^.p,04l4 ) ' ' ' 30 ) Kin g Koii" g Zoblogicai Park ' Inb,'(Murphy , N C #55-0-0222)' ' ' ' ! ' . ' ',':, ' ' 31 ) Mapl e Lan e Wildlif

e Farm(Tbpeka^:lN'#32-C-bl'78 ) ^ '' f

' " ] ' 32 ) Marcan , Josip(^oncedeLpon , FL#5,8-(ir-d276y ' '' - .':;' ' ' ' • • • 33 ) McCarthy' s \VildUf

e Sanc^tuai

y i(We ^ ; " 34 ) McMillan , Brikri (d/b/ a HoUywbod'i^i^als &Walkin g With!Iibrife

V l^s. Ari'^^

^ O A #93-0-02^7) ^'-^ 'X':" ^. 35 ) Miller , Jaro d (d/b/a^WUd'firicounter s Productions

) (N ^ Boston' , NY5#^1-C-0219) ' ' ' 36 ) Mogenseii , Kar l (d/b/aJNatural'Bridg e Zpb)^^ ^ V A #52iC-0035) ' 37 ) Monkeysjan d More Exoti c AnimalKe'scu e (^^ ^ 38 ) Morik^ysiontli^]V«idwa y {Doifipha^ ^ ' 39 ) Noah' s Ar k Anima l Rehabilitatio n Cente r (Locus tGrove , 'Gi^ ^ #57-C-b037

) ' 40 ) Oswald' s Bea r Ranc h (Newberry , M I #34-0-01-23

) 41 ) I»remierAnipm l AttractionsXOr^ n 42 ) ..Reinhau:dt

, Donal d (d/t»/

a Exoti c (Kin g George , VA,#52-0-0148

) 43 ) Rosaire-Zopp e Chimpanzee s (ak a Bi g Gat,Habitat ; Sarasota , F L #58-0-0936

) , 44 ) SafariAVes t(SantalRosa ; CA#93-C-G57S):c .•o;i;r!oi):- : ; - 45 ) Safar i Wildernes s (Lakeland, FL.#58.C'-.0952)rr'-J?feft- - . . i - 46 ) Savanahlan d Educationa l Par k (Pleasan tHiU',;M O #43-G-0208

) 41 ) Sawmiller , Rober t(d/b/ a WUdlife'o

n Wheels/Awesome: Anima l Attractions

) ^ (Wapakorieta

, OH#31-0^0083

) • ^ T , " ! : ' ', 48 ) Schoebel,;Mark d/b/

a Timbavat

i WUdUf e Pa!r k fka'Storybobl : Garclen s (Wisconsir

i DeUs , W I #35-B-.0p33

) . . 1 ,..„... . : .49 ) St . Augustin e W^ildlife , Reserv e "aica.SbMlotthe^^^ ^ FL#58-C 0688)- ' , .n/' - ^cof-'.-.V ' '.

' 50 ) Staples , Bria n (d/b/

a Staple s Safari , Zoo

) .(Pee r Park , W A #91-0-0060

) 51 ) Stapp s Circle s Ranc h (Greensburg,IN#32-C-0179 ) • ' 52 ) Stark , Tiri i an d Melis a (d/b/ a Wildlif e ir i Need ) (Charlestown

, IN;#32-C-0204 ) 53 ) Steeple s Bear s (Gur

i BarrerCity^T X #74-C-0440 ) - 54 ) Stum p HillFarm.(Massmon , OH#31-C-0050 ) '' • Mann, Riverfest' s Travelin g Wiiit e Tige r Discover

y Exhibi tHa s Ne w Owne r Sinc e It s .Chicag o Shutdown

, Th e Wichit a Eagl e (Ma y 30 , 2012) , http://www.kan8a8.com/2012/05/30/2354012/riverfeststravehng-white-tiger.html : USDA Inspectio n Repor tfo rTodd's Pon

y & Ha y Rides'(Apri

l 22 , .2012)' . . 9 I n re : Jami

e Michell e PaldUzo

, AW A Docke tNo ? 11T0023 , Apri l 7

, 2011, Decision;an

d Order . • 1 155 ) Suncoas t Primat e Sanctuar y (Palm-Hki-bor , F L #5 8 0-0910 ) ' 56 ) Tanganyik aW.ldlif e Park;(Goddard ; :K0-C

- 0156 > 1 ; ; ^ . - : ; 57 ) TigerWorldInCy(RockweU,NC-#55-gr02^.5 ) . • . • 58 ) Tiger s fo r

Tomorrow.(Attalla . AL#64^0-0187 ) . , . . > , 59 ) TigerSafari(Tuttle,OK#73-C-01^ , , ' 60 ) Valbiieri aChimp s (LakelaM , F t #5'8-C-b306 ) . ; ' 61 ) Wal k

o n th e Wil dSid e (Canby , O R#92-0-015£> ) ' 62 ) Wallach , Larr y (Eas t Rockway , N Y #21-0-0069 ) 63 ) Welch , Pamel a(Amagon , AR#71-C-017..1) r . . ^ • . 64 ) Wes t Coas t Gam e Par k

(Bandon , O R#92-0-0013 ) ;65 ) Wes t

Virginia-Zo o ak aHovatter' s Wildlife'Zo o (ICirig\/6od , W #54-0-0119 ) • 66 ) Wil dAnima l Experience . (Chittenango','N Y #21-C-0325).- i r-r- . , ' 67 ) ^WildBill' s Sanctuar y (Porter , O K #73-B-.1842 ) /

V ' ,; r .. ; i .. v , - ' ; ,68)Wolve s Wood s an dWildlif e ^Lakevilie,,M N #41^^^ ^ .69)'Wbbdy' s Menageri e (Mulberr y (jrpve , I L #33-C-0218 ) • , 70 ) YellowsWn e Bea r Worl d(RexWrg,r o 71 ) Yost,'Sidne y (d/bVaAmaziri g Aniriia l Productibris ) (Sa n Bernardino ; Ci A #93-0-0590 ) 72 ) Zoologica l Wildlif e Conservatio n Cente r (Rainier , O R#92-B-0248 ) 73 ) Zoologica l Wildlif e Foundation'(Miami , F L #58-B-0306 ) 74 ) Zoota3ti c o f

Lak e N6rthan(Trbutirian , N C #55-C-^^^^ ' ' 75 ) ZooW6rl d(Panarii aCit y Beach , Ft#58-C-0460 ) ' ' I n additio n to ; ,thes e vdozen s .of r e:chibitprs , .i t

wa s recentl y reported'that

- th e ownsr s o f Promise dLan dZo o (#43:0-0245),,ar e plannin g a n exoti c bab y animal.par k i n B;?anson ; Missouri , whic h wU I apparentl y ope n i n 201 3 an dprovid e th e pubU c opportunit y fb r contac t wit h infan t

bi g ' cats" ' ari d' nonhuma n primates . Se e http://brarisontrUakesnews.com/newS ' free/articl e 3f01ef58-9950- 1 lel-9c27

- - , . . . , • 001a4bcf88'7a.html . SimUarly , severa l unlicense dindividual s frequentl y exhibi t bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuma n primate s -(pfte h sburce dfroni'Ucensees) on'televisipr i show s wher e unUcense dan duntraine dmember s * o f th e 'pubU c 'ar e aUowe dt o handl e thes e dangerou s wU danima.ls . See/e.^. , Dave i S.edirioni an dp.avi dMizejewsH ^ • , ; Thi s lon g lis t

o f exhibitor s tha t

aUp w pubU c cpntac t

wit h dangerou s animal s show s tha t thi s i s no t a n isolate dproblem , buVrathe r alucrativ e ^

c tfendi " tha t i s clearl y withi n 1 0 See , e.g. . Celest

e Gracey , Thre e Ne w Couga r Cub s Com

e to-th e Couga r Mountai n Zoo , Seattl e P I (Jul y 8 , 2011 ) (reportin g tha t Couga r Mountai n Zoo charges'"about'$500" " fo r "20'minute s o f

pla y time") , at . http://www.seattlepi.comAocal/8ound/article/Three-new^cougar-cubs-corae-to-the-Cougar

Mountain

- 1458852.php : Fo x News , I n Florida , Wh o Need s Alligator s Whe n You Ca n Swi mWit

h Tiger Cubs ? (Oct . 9 , 2012) (reportin g tha t at Dade ' Cit y WU dThings'" A custonie f sign s ageneral release , an dfo r

$200 ^ h

e can froU c fo r

- 3 0 minutes " wit h ' atige r ' cub) ; • at http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/09/in-florid&-who-needs-alhgator8-when-eaii-swim-with-tiger'- ' cubs/ : Ro n Sylvester , 'KfG M Liore s - an dNew Cub s - Showin g Of f Thei r Henderso n i/ome,'La' s V^ga s Su n (Dec . 26 , 2012) (reportin g that'Keit h Evan s "offer s persona l time'With th e cub s for'$20 0 fo r tw o people fo r

five.minutes'!)- availabl e q f http'://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/dec/28/mgm-hons-and

new-cubs-disblav-rarich-henderson/ . Similarly , th e Chestate e Wildlif e Preserve ' & Zoo offer s tige r cu b encounter s fo r

$25 0 per person . Se

e htt p ://che8tate

e wildlif e .com/ . Thes e businesse s reportedl y 1 2APHIS ' discretion , an dduty, r t o regiUate. ; WhUei a.fe.wiof>these,exhibitors;hav e bee n cite dfo r violation s o f

th e existin g handUri g reg'ulatioris-.(thoaigh . rarely ; as-disfeUsse db withou t a n expUci t

prohibitio n o n pubU c contac t wit-U^bi g cats i bears i arid'nonhuma n primate s o f an y age,i i thes e animal s wU l continue't o suffe t 1)1 6 riegatiye^ impacts'discusse di n thi s petition ! th e pubUc' s healt h an dsafety . wi U cpntjinu e to ; b e pii t a t risk , ari dconsume r confidenc e ir i USD A Ucensin g wi U decUne . ..p. . ;. ^ ^ . ./>;•;. • !' \• - > ' IV . Lega l Backgroun dan dAuthorit y to\Amen dReflation s .ii i - ' i ; : ' Congres s enacted , th e Anima l .Welfar e Ac t i n orde r

;'-to , insure.«tKafe'animals'intended.;.fo r exhibitio n purpose s o r fo r use.,a & pet s ar e provide dhumarie' . car e an dtreatment. " 7 U!S!C;' § 2131(1) ; Pub ; L . No . 91-579 . Th e AW A riot onl y jirotect s aninial&.ir i exhibition,

- but-also'th e "consumers " |o f

thi s industry , sucl i a s patron s yisitirtg'exhibitit e 'faciUties.''See ; i:^!, ' Amma l Lega l Defens e Fund , Inc . v . GZic/fe/ndTi , ^54 , F,3 d4 ^ wh o viewe dprimate s i n inhuman e condition s a t a n exhibitio n faciUt y wa s withi n th e zon e o f interest s protecte dunder-th e AWA) . f..' ; -j'-;,,. ; : -.,•)•.. , 'Mr^ s •

' S t U . :':': ! •;:-.:.i.! ' ;';' 4 ' ] '\' r ' • Th e AW A reqiure s a U exhibitors'^ , an ddealers' ^ tp;pb|tain,.a . Ucense . frpmthe,;Secretar y o f Agriculture , an dprovide s tha t "n o such;Uc,e,nse.,sha

U b e iss^ue duntU ; the,deale r or-exhibito r sha U hav e demonstrate dtha t hi s faciUtie s compl y wit h th e standard s promulgate db y th e Secretary...".' 7 U.S.C : §*2133 ; 9:G.F.R . § 2.1(a)(1).;C0riii)Uaric e i§'derrioristrate dari dv^'erifie d throug h a: preUminary'^mspectio n o f ne w Ucenseejs;-hdw'ever , renewal'^appUcant s simpl y draw visitor s froi n aroim dth e world . See , e.g. , JuJ u Kim , Swi mWit h aTiger

Cub a t On e Florid a Zoo , Tim e (Oct . 10.

^ -20l2) ; -a

f ' http://fle\ysfeed'.time:c6m/2012/1 0 florida-zoo/'. '.,. • r

v ^

- 'r- ^ -x^

- • • ^ :<-ii'i'yrx'. i i;i ' -i

> -> f " Note tha t

.w^l e pubUc handUn g o f bi g cat s i s ciirreptl y the.'mos t popular , numerous , Ucensee s offe r interactiv e opportunitie s wit h nonhuman priipate s an d_b.ea^ ^ A) . Further , i t i s iniperative'tha t

APHI S prohibi t

pubUc handlin g o f

al l q f thes e species , a s aprohibitio n solel y o n bi g cats , fo r example , woul dlikel y spilu

- th e unmanage dan dirrespbrisibl e breedin g o f nonhuman primate s an dbear s to mee t th e deman dfo r

pubh c contac t

exhibitio n wit h thes e popiUa r species . 1 2 7 U.S.C . § . j2132(h

) ("Th e term.'exhibitor ' mean s an y perso n (pubU c o r private ) exhibitin g any animals , whic h wer

e p.urchasedi n commerc e o r th e intende ddistributio n o f whic h affect s commerce , or'wi U affec t

commerce , to'th e pubUc fo r compensation , a s determine dby th e "Secretary , an dsuc h ter minclude s carnivals , circuses , an dzoo s exhibitin g suc h animal s whethe r operate dfo r

profi t o r not ; bu t suc h termexclude s .retai l pet store s , :orgariization 8 sponsoring'and:'a U person s participatin g i n State an dcoimtry fairs ; livestoc k .shows , rodeos , purebre ddo g an dca t shows , .an dari y other

fair s or exhibitipns.tintended . it o advanc e agriciUtvira l arts-and ! sciences^ a s ma y b e determine db y th e Secretary;") . -'r ! . . ' Oi\?i -v.^ u .. . l j-- r ..i , • * 3 7 U.S.C . § . 2132(f)-("The term/dealer' : mean s any perso n who ; .i n comiinercie ; fo r compensatio n or profit , deUvers ; fo r

transportation , o r

.transports , excep t

a s acarrier , biiys , o r

seUs , or negotiate s th e purchase;.o r

sal e of; , (1 ) any do g .o r other , anima l whethe r aUv e or deadfo r

research , teaching , exhibition, ' or,us e a s apet , or (2)ian y do g fo r hunting , security , o r

breedin g purposes,.excep t tha t thi s ter mdoes'no t

include

- (i ) a , retai l pe t store , excep t

suc h stor

e whic h seH s an y animal s t o aresearc h faciUty , a n exhibitor , o r adealer ; o r

(u);any perso n wh o doesinot.seU , o r negotiate th e purchas e o r sal e o f an y wUd s animal , .dog , or

cat , an dwho derive s n o more : than-$-50 0 gros s incom e fro mth e sal e o f other animal s diirin g an y calenda r year.'') . •

< \' .i ' ^ r

' .vi:. , , ' i 1 3demonstrat e complianc e by'certifyin g tha t "to th e bes t

o f th e appUcant' s knowledg e an d beUef , h e o r sh e i s i n cPmpU^ric e wit h the'regulatibri s an dstandard s an dagree s t o continu e t o compl y wit h th e rbgulatibris'an dstandaras. " 9 C.F!R . § § 2.2(b) , 2!3(b) ; 'WhU e APHI S periodicall y inspects . Ucense dfaciUtie s t o chec k fo r AW A violation s (7 U.S.C . § 2147 ; 9 C.F.R . § 2.126) , enforcemen t p f th e ;AW A i s adifficul t tas k give n th e large . numbe r o f faciUtie s tha t

eac h A.PHIS4n.spectpri s responsibl e for overseeing . ' . • , Sectio n 214 3 o f

the , AWA . .outline s th e activities , fo r ;vvhich th e Secretar y sha U promulgat e regulations ; i n particular . Congres s ha s directe dtha t the'agenc y must,adop t standard s "to gover n th e human e handUng...o f animal s by...exhibitors " an dtha t suc h standard s mus t includ e minimu mrequirement o "fo r handUng , housing , feeding , water , samtation , ventUation , shelte r

fro mextremie s o f

weathe r an dteiriperatures , adequate^Veteririar y care , an dseparatio n b y specie s wher e th e Secretar y finds necessar y fo r hiiinan e handUrig , care , o r treatmen t

o f animals... " 7 U.S.C . § 2143(a)(i),(2) . Further ^ ""[t]h e Secretar y i s authorize d t o prom.ulgat e suc h rules , regulations,..an dprder s a s h e may.dee mnecessar y in-orde r t o effectuat e th e purpose s ofthi s chapter."- ? UiS.C ; § 2151 . . . - Pursuan t

t o thi s broa dstatutor y authority , .APHI S has . adopte daperformanc e standar d regardin g th e handUn g o f anirrialg , whic h require s tha t haridUn g o f

an y anima l mus t

b e don e humanel y an dwit h minima l ris k o f har mt o th e pubUc , tha t youn g animai s no t

b e expose dt o excessiv e handUng , an dtha t certai n dangerou s animal s mus t b e unde r

th e "direc t contrp r o f a n anima l riandier'duririg pubU c exhibition: " . ' . . (a ) A U Ucensee s wh o maintai n wU do r exoti c animals' ^ mus t demonstrat e adequat e experienc e an dkricwledge-'b f th e specie s the y maintain ! ' ' ; ' - '

!• * Unfortunately , APHI S ofte n reUcenses . dealer s an dexhibitor s despite alon g history o f non compUance , includin g page s o f repea t violation s reporte dimmediatel y befor e approva l ofth e Ucens e renewal apphcation . HSU S i s deeply concerne dtha t suc h reUcensin g o f

ndncompUan

t facihtie s an d individual s signal s t

o th e regulate dcommunit y tha t violation s ofth e AW A are tolerated. Tw o recent audi t report s deta

U th e inadequacie s o f

APHI S enforcement . Se e U.S . Departmen t

o f Agricultur e Offic e o f Inspecto r

General , C^Jitrol s Ove r APHI S 'Licensin g o f

Anima l Exhibitors , Audi t Repor t 33601-10-C h (Jun e 2010) , availabl e • at 'httv>://www.APHlS.gov/oig/webdocs/33601-10-CH.pdf: U.S . Departmen t

o f AgriciUtur e Offic e o f

Inspecto r

General , Anima l an dPlan t Healt h Inspectio n Servic e Anima l Care Progra mInspzction s o f Problemati c Dealers , Audi t Repor t 33002-4-S F(May 2010) , availabl e a

t http://ww.w.AFHIS.gov/cig/webdocs/33062r4-SF.pdf , ;.:^

r 15APHIS regulations define "wUd animal" to mean "anjf^animal. which is ,now. or historicaUy has been found in the wUd, or

in the wUd

state, within the, boundaries of the .United

States, its territories, or possessions...."

9C.F.R. § l!l. An "exotic arumal" is defined.as "any animal not identified

in the definition of'animal'

provided

in this part

that ic native to a fbreigri country or of foreign origin or character, is not

native to the United

States, or

was intrdduced

frbiri abroad."

Id. The term "animal" means "any Uve or

dead dog, cat, nonhvunan primate, guuiea'pig, hamster, rabbit, or any other warmblooded

animal, which is being used, or is intended

for use for research, teaching, testing, experimentation, br

exhibition purposes, or

as a pet... "Id. 1 4•( ; (b) (1) Handling of

all animals shall, be done as expeditiously -and carefully as >

... possible, in qr^nianiier,, that; does-ript^ traurriq,. pverheqting, excessive cooling,.behavioral

stress,.physicfil

hqrrn, p^^ (2)(i) Physica l abus e ^sha U no t b e use dtp^trairi , work , b f otherwis e ha n ' ' aniirials. ' (U

) Deprivatio n o f

foo dor wate r sh'a U 'no t b e used't o train ! work , or ' otherwis e handl e animals; ' 'Provided,'-•'however , ;Tha't''-th e short-tem i • withholdin g o f

foo dor wate r fromanimal s b y exhibitor s i s aUowedb y thes e ' regulation s as-Ibn g a s eac h o f th e ariiinal s affecte dreb'eive s its'ful l dietar y ' - " ' • and nutritiori requirements: each ^day. " ' ' ' •'• ' - ' • ^• '

'

r ' '' ..-'!>• :r''.,i .:...''r i/o? 'Vvi :-c , ..i fii .v'iiib. • ' •'•. ci^ (c) (1) During public exhibition, any, animal must, be^rj,handled

so. ther.e is; oi-..^i minimal risk of harm.io^the animal

and to the public, with sufficient distance.^-.. ' and/o r barrier s betwee

n th e ariirna l an dth

e general ^ viewin g publi c s o a s t o , f dssii^r e th e safet y o f ariimdl s an dth ^ . i . . -u ''v'' i'l"*'

i i'*i'i . -. f.,'

r^^r'.r-..^. • ^r ^3UK:'r^jr. •' • (2) Perfoririiri g 'ariiinal s shaU b e aUoweda'res t

pefib dbetween performance s ' ' a t leas t equa l t o th e tim e fo r

bn e pierfbimarice . • < ' ' - i . s,i 7.

u • "

• (3) Young dr

immature animals shall not '^bS exposed to rough'

of^excessive- : : publi c ^handlin g or

, exhibite dfo r

period s o f

time ujkvck-woul db

e detrimenta l t

o • - their,health o r

well-being . • •...-,.:-. f fft^ .' i - : ' .n , •; - r :- ,

. ' •. . '.-it. - :•J.J.-. . - . rr ' t*?;-! ^ }-:', n .• „ r ^ ' • (4 ) Drugs , suc h a s tranquilizers , s,haU.^,no t be. ^ .use dt o faciUtate

j ,aUow, , .pr

. • provid e fo r

pubUc handUn g o f

tli e animals . (d ) (1 ) Animal s shaU b e exWbite donly.,.fo^ ^ o f

tim e an dunde r condition s consisten t

wit h thei r

goodhealt h an dweU-being . (2 ) A ! responsible , knowledgeable , an dreadUy identifiabl e employe e or attendan t

mus t b e presen t at a U time s durin g period s o f pubUc contact .

, (3) During public exhibition, dangerous anirnqU siicH tigers, wolves, ' bears, or. elephants must be under

the direct]control

and^ of

a knowledgeabl e an dexperience danima l handler . , ~'.. . , (4 ) I f pubUc feedin g o f

animal s i s =aUpwed; , the , foo dpius t b e prpvide db y th e anima l faciUty an dsha U b e appropriate , t

o ;the'typ e of-anima l an dit s nutritiona l need s an ddiet . ' - ^.' j T . .C . • : : •; [ -^f- l •,i'n-:'. i ri . • ,.-•> : s \^.fi-'' i " • '.vi i . .. , (e ) Whe n climati c cpndition s present-'a ^ threa t t o ari aniiria f

s healt h or

weU

beirig , jappropriate measures ' mus t be.take n t

o aU'eviate " th e impac t

o f thos e ' condition ^ An'•animal : iriay rieyer'be siibjecte dtp ' an y cpriibinatiori o f ' teiriperature , humidity , arid'tinie'tha t i s detrimenta l t

p th e animal' s healt h o f

. , weU-being , takin g intQrPP^'sideratio n suc h factor s a s th e animal' s age , species ,

. breed , bvera

U healt h status,„an daccUmation . . . . . , 1 59 C.F.R . § 2.13 1 (emjDhasi s addad) : - i: ' ' - ' • • ' ' . ' • •••••• • '

I n ,1989 , whe n APHI S proposa dthese;;handUn g regulations , th e .agency j expressl y state d ^ tha t "exhibitor s d

o not hav e arigh t

t o aUow-contac t

between the

- pubU

c ari ddangerou s animals. " 5 4 Fed . Reg, . 10,835,.J0;.880,(]>Jar.: ; 15 , 1989 ) .(emphasi s ^added) . However , th e regulation s d

o not expUcitl y prohibi t

such , contact , instea dadoptiri g aperformanc e standar d layere dwit h apatchwor k o f agency guidanc e document s tha t ar e vague , entirel y subjective , an dd o not clearl y infor mUcensees , inspectors , or th e pubUc W:hic

h activitie s ar

e prohibited . The regulations are most;.confusing:as appUed to big cats,,-Since ,Uons and tigers are expUcitly mentioned

as examples of

dangerous animals in Section 2.131(d)(3), "during pubUc; exhibition"

such MgccatSj, must

be ".under

the ,direct

control and/supervision of; a kno\vledgeable and

experienced

animal handler.". 9C.F.R.'.§.2:131(d)(3).i,-In addition to being under.the, "direct.cpntrpl" lOf-.the handler, big.cats (as with aU other:animals) "must

be handled so. there is minimal

risk.of harm to the aninial

and-to the, pubUc;,with sufficient distance and/o.r

barriers between the animal and the general

xdewing pubfic so as to assure the safety of

;a.nimals;and

the public.';/cJ

at § 2.131(c)(l);.Thus, Ucensees, inspectors, and the pubUc are lesft

to their own subjective determinations of whether a-big cat

is indeed under a bander's "direct

control'' and what : constitutes "sufficient

distance .and/or; barriers"-for an individual big cat. See Antle,u. JoMnns, 2007 WL,5209982 (D.S.C.;:2007); aff'd per curiam, 264 F. App'x

271 (4th Cir, 2008). (upholding .USDA decision that;fpund, a violatipn of 9 C.F.R. § 2.131 when persons who are to be photographed with an adult

big cat are aUowed to st.and behind, the .cat

withoutriany> barrier

between .the ;cat. and the.,pers'pns being photographed). ;:<f/e;.;--.; M ,v;; ^. '-V-J

^; !• .•.?'. rr-\-'-'i'r;^-:,u-. A hodgepodge o f

agency guidanc e fujc-the r cqmplica.tes;thi.s<subjective standar dan dcreate s confusio n fo r

determinin g when^jpublic . coritac t wit h aparticula r

bi g ca t i s aUowed . Severa l agency document s sugges t tha t APHI S . generaU

y interpret s thi s performanc e standar da s bein g '/iolate dwhe n th e pub.Uc.handleS;. abig , ca t unde r th e age o f

8 week s or

over th e age o f 1 2 v/eek s (hereinafte r

referre dto^a

s th e "8--1 2 wee

k poUcy") , . . > . Fo r example , Ucensee s wh o inten dt o exhibi t potentiaU y dangerou s animal s shoul dreceiv e acop y of APHIS ' "handUn g potentiaU y dangerbu s aniirials " lette f I'.which-states " tha t

"direc t pubUc contac t

wit h juvenil e an dadul t feline s !( e doe s no t confor mt o th e handUn g regulations, , becaus e i t canno t reasonabl y b

e conducte d withou t asignifican t

ris k of •' . • . .har m; " ::to ' th e aninia L 1 o f " > th e >=pubUc."' Se

e http://www.aphis.usda.g6v7animal weKare/201 1 Inspectio n Guide//§.7.14%20HandUnig%2 b of%20Dangerous%20Animals%20Letter.pdf. Th e letter-.define s juvenile an dadult.,larg e feline s a s "over-' 3 month s o f age. " M' ^ Similarly, ' a . recent opinio n from. , an administrativ e 1. 6 Th e APHI S Exhibitor

Inspectio n Gmd e Sectic n 8.12.8-9 als o statedtha t "direc t pubh c contact " wit h juvenile (ove

r 3 months o

f age ) an dadul t feUnes suc

h a s hons , tigers , jaguars, ' leopards , an dcougar s 1 6la w judg e cpnfirm s tha t th e performanc e standar dmay , b e .violate dfwhe n th e pubh c i s aUowe dt o com e int o contac t wit h abi g ca t

ove r 1 2 weeks . Se e I n re Jami e Michell e Palazzo , d/h/ aGrea t

Ca t Adventure s and /

James'i£i^ei!i?iggs,"AW A Docke t No . 07-020 7 Appeal s Decision , an dOrde r

'(May'10 , 2010) ; However;;ag e -alori e i s no t enough-t o determine- a violatio n of'th e handUn g regulatioris, " whic h make s ic^pUectiri g enoug h evidenc e t o prov e a violatio n a n extremel y difficul t tas k fo r inspectors:*;--'^

- ...*f; o " ,

. : - • • . . J , • r '< \..' . -(/l-;:;:

- r.,:\\,)i i ' o . ' •: . : J"' . c ! Th e "handUri g JxPtentiaU y darigerbu s ariinials " "letter ^ also''-st o tha t the ' "handUn g regulation s d o no t

appea r t o specificaU y prohibi t direc t pubU c contac t

wit h infan t

animals , s o lon g a s i t

i s no t rpug h xir

exbeSsive , ah ds o lon g a s th^f^-'is-iriiniriia l ris k p f hari n t o th e anima l ' ' '-aiid-^ ^ ; ' i^-it o ; • th e '

- rq-v:).-^^ • pubUc. " • • --^^'See http://www.aphis.usdaigov/animal = Welfa:re/201 1 Ihspectior i Guide//9:7 . l4%20HandUrig%2 0 of°7o20Dangerous%20Animkls%20Letteif.ridf ; ift^cbritrast . atJ'SDAFac t Sheet ; entitle d77ie B i g Ca t Question s an dAnswer : ^'Cornnibnl y AsUe dBig ' -Cdt Questtons , pro'vide s 'tha t "Although' : iw ^ do ' not-en'cbu f ag e piibUc'cJontiEtct-^wit h cubs,' " i t

U s ptos^ibl e 'for ' ar i exhibito r t o exhibi t cub s over'approximately' 8 weeks'-of-age'(i.e. , wheri'thefr imiriun e s^ystehi s hav e develope dsufficieiitl y to-protec t the mfrommos t

cbirimunifcabl e diseases),^to'the'pubUc , an d sti U comply

- with

- a U of''' ^ th e • regulatbry ' "' ' requirements. " -*Se e http://www.aphisiusda.gQv/ariiMa l welfare/downlbads/big-6 aca t "q&a.pd f

*Se e als o I n r e Crai g A.Perr y (d/b/"a/'Perry's''Wildernes s Ranch-&^Z6&),AWADocke t No . 05^0026^ 201 2 W L 156349 0 OVIarch 29 , 2012 ) (''Eve n cub s can-harm'th e pu^ ^ ^ • s - '.Mi!- ' ST,: , h • ;;!.• ] -• ; :,.•;•''( ' O r rl. i ^y'^rX B . ' • / ^ " , J Thus , with ' respec t

tb bi g catS

j it''appear s frbrii thi^''~patchwbr k o f document s tha t

APHI S inspector s ma y us e th e age s o f 8 week s an d1 2 week s a s threshold s fo r furthe r investigatio n o f violation s o f

th e performanc e standard . PubU c contac t wit h bi g ca t

cub s betwee n 8-1 2 week s i s apjJarentl y aUowed y whU e cbritac t

wit h infant s unde r

th e ag e o f

8 week s ma y b e prohibite dt o protec t

the : aniriia l an dcbritadt'with'-juVeriiiSs-'an dadult s ove r 1 2 week s ma y b e prohibite dt o protec t pubU c safety . iSom e 'irispeblfer s ' apparentl y inforrii'UceriSb d exhibitor s ofth e 8-1 2 wee k poUc y (spufring'frivolou s breedin g t o maintai n aslippl y o f cub s withi n thi s ag e range , a s discusse dbelow) ; whUt e soiri e inspectbr S an dexhibitor s app^^ at o

ma y not . b e don e safel y unde r

any conditions " and/'dpe s not . confor mtq^th e handUn g regulations. " Effectiv e Apri l 6 , 2012 , APHI S replaced , th e Exhibito r Inspectio n Guid e .wit h th e Anima l Car e liispectib n Giiid e "t

o reduc e confusio n ari dstreamlih e informatio n fo r oii r inspectors , regulate d facUities'," " • •' I ' ' OK ; u : r . T'U'.:• • '*f

f . .'ari d' 'd^- r

•' ' '•• stakeholders.'

- http://www.aphis.usda;gov/pubhcations/aniirial welfare/2012/S A AC-guid e ireplaced.pdf. .•;>i . Th e Animal . .Car,e -Inspectio n Guide , contains, , specifi c guid^anc e o n photo shoot

inspections , petting-zo o inspections , t

an dtravielin g ' . , exhibi t inspections . Sle e http://ww!aphis!ti8da.VoWanima l vyelfart/2b l 1 ' Inspection

^ Guide//6.12%20Pliot6%20Sh6ot%20Insipecitons.pdf : http://www.aphis.usda.gov/anima l '^welfare/201 1 Inspectioi

i Guide//6. 1 l%20Petting%20Zoo%20Inspection.p(if: ' http://www.aphi3.u3da.gov/animia l welfare/201 1 Inspectio

n Guide//6.16%20Traveling%20Exhibitor%20Inspect i on.pdf . Thes e ne

w guidanc e document

e d o no t contai n th e languag e regardin g 3 mont h ol dbi g ca

t cub s tha t wa s previousl y containe di n th e Exhibitor . Inspectio n Guide ; creatin g additionarconfusio n fo r APHI S inspector s an dUcensees . . ; . . c .;.: - , • : * ', .-

s • ........ .b

e unaware o f

th e 8-1 2 wee

k poUcy<and ! .are'lef

t wit h thei r

o wr i subjectiv e interpretation s o f "direc t control " andn'fsufficien t distanceiand/o r

barriers " wher

i •determinin g i f

pubU c handUn g i s complian t

wit h AW A regulations . SimUarly , beaf

s ar e explicitl y recognized'as-a-dangerou s ariimal , an dthu s pubUc exhibitibr i o f bear s can onl y b

e doii e Whe

n th e aniriia l i s under

th e "direc t

cbntrol " b i th e handle r

an d : there i s "sufficien t

distanc e arid'o r

barriers " between th e anima l an dth e pubUc . 9 C.F.R . § .2.131 . Th e term"direc t eontrcl " i s no t

define di n th e regulation s nb r i s there guidanc e o n iwha t constitute s ''suffieient"'distanc e o r barriers between bear s ari dth e pubUc . Further i th e "handUn g potentiaU y dangerou s animals " letter'doe s nbt'includ e any discussio n o f pubUc contac t wit h infan t

or juvenU e bears . Thus , youn g o r immatur e bear s ma

y b e handle d provide dtha t

suc h handUn g i s no t

"rougU or

excessive " (undefine dterm s tha t are als o lef

t t o th e subjectiv e interpretatio n o f th e Ueerisee , the iiispector,'an dth e pubUc) . .Ciurren t regulation s regardin g primat e handUn g specificaU y • aUbw ' pubUc contac t wit h "traine dnonhuman primates"d f th e animals'"ar e unde r th e direc t

contro l ari dsupervisio n of an experience dhandle r br traine r a t a U 'time s durin g th e contact. " 9 CF R§ § 3.7 7 (g) , 3.78(e) , 3.79(d) . There i s n o specifi c guidanc e regardin g the ag e o f primate s wh o m.a

y b e use dfo r pubU c contac t exhibitio n an dth e term"traine dnonhuman primate " i s no t defined . Thus , handUn g of

a U nonhuman primate s toiist generaU y b e consisten t

wit h th e handUn g requirement s fo r

dangerou s animals:in-Sectiori'2.131(d)(3) . More than a decade ago, APHIS Ipioposed^;~a draft

poUcy regardiiig-'the'

haridUng'of potentiaUy dangerous animals, .recognizing ;.ihac ''[pjotentiaUy' dangerous 'a^^can become aggressive during pubUc handUng or exhibition and

can cause serious harm to themselves, their'handlers, and members bf<.th8pubUc." 65Fed; Reg. 8313, 8320(Feb. 18, 2000). The draft

poUcy described

what levels of

knowledge and

experience handlers, trainers, and

other personnel

should have,'what

handUng techniques arid procedures are unacceptable or

inadvisable under

the regulations because they cbuld result in harm to the animals or

the pubUc, and

what contingency plans'should cover in the event

that an animal becomes aggressive. Id. That pcUcy did

not expUcitly prohibit

direct pubUc contact

with dangerous wUd

animals such as Uoris, tigersj'and bears (which, as discussed below, experts now agree is necessary); the proposal did,.:hbw3ver, "note that macaques should

not be used in situations where pubUc contact is^iikely because they present a'risk of serious and

fatal disease transmission and because cf

other health and^safety concern's..." Id: APHI S never

finaUzedth e draf

t poUc y an di n 2004 expUcitl y withdre w th e draf t 6 9 Fed . Reg . 3060 1 (Ma

y 28 , 2004) . ^\PHI S note dtha t th e "draf

t poUc y statemen t

wa s develope dt

o provid e guidanc e t

o exhibitor s an dother

regulate dperson s o n how t o compl y wit h th e regvdation s regardin g trairiin g an dhandUri g o f potentiaU y dangerou s animals" ; however,

- 1 8th e agency specificaUy.istate dthat ; "We . hav e 'determined

- tha t • an y '.clarificatio n o f

th e regulation s shoul db

e accompUshe dthroug h rulemaking...T/d . (emphasi s added) . i , .---.c::.,; i;.,-';' •! •' r i ^^^' i:-.. r

• In addition to expUcitly asserting that clarification of

the handUng regulations must be done through .rulemaking,;: the agency :has.-,raIso;i previously lisupported,, a' legislative prohibition, on exhibition, activities involving pubUc rcpntact withi dangerous animals. ' See Letter from-Acting Secretary Charles F. Conner to;-Representative: CbUin 0. Peterson ire .rH.R.,1947

0,ec.: 18, 2007) (supporting a federaltbUl to prohibitp.ubUc contactrwith big cats, commenting that

'-'USDAy agrees'

that such situationsv[i:e.', those' involving pubUc cpntact] are inherently .dangerous."-and; a ^''prohibition ,on direct .contact .betweeri: the pubUc and big cats'-is"appropriate.'^): . r r ••. ,' :J''J >• ti :'^:. - ; ; •:'• ->•.••.• • ;;..'! -.cy: i I, y,v!'r--r-.: • . y--.:"-•.:r<iii,u--i. ]z'r yUW-.: Further, the agency has pre\::iously,;re.cbgriized.that'AWA regulations should.be amended when "advances have been made and new information has been developed with regard

to the housing and:care'!..of animals. 75;Fe.d. Reg;- 79715.(Dec.,?20r2010). Since the handUng regulations were promulgate.d in 1989,. there have; been significant advancements , in the understanding of

the,ianimaL.welfare, -conservation, and.: pubUc safety threats,caused by pubUc;contactexhibiticn, aSiLdiscuss below.^- , • . . • :i !:K:-: •( i .' i." .i-: . : .! : ..".;••;• ]i . 'i-'.f' , ••!•''. • :i • L;', . ' ' . -c .'-.:<.' Thus , there i s clear

statutor y authorit y fo r

rAPHI S ,t«-;adop t

handlin g regulatioris-necessar y t o ensure th e human e handUn g o f exhibite d.animrils ; . the,i-curreri t regulation s ar

e unacceptably , vague , th e agency ha s acknowledge di n th e pas t tha t furthe r regulatio n of pubUc:handUng:ofT;dangerbu s ariimal s i s needed,'an dthere i s clear scientifi c evidenc e t

o support,'an-;expUcit,prphibitipn-o f suc h activityj;as5diseusse dbelpw . V ! • Current-Handlin g Regulation s Are[Difficul t 'XCjEnf6rc e an dApplie dInconsistentl y

, 1 ' ';^'- ' .> i ; - ' v'..!-.tfr^n?/ b.Kh . - . ! •

: ^•••: • • Th e .curren t

handlin g regulatipns , describe dabove, , includ e numerou s subjectiv e standard s tha t are extremel y ^difficul t to,enforce , especiaUy-give n th e imvitabiUt y o f exhibition: . A n APHI S inspecto r

woul dhav e t

o b e present , at . th e exac t

moment,'an dfo r

th e .duratio n of

, th e pubUc interactio n to determine , .whethe r adangerou s aniriia l wa s under th e "direc t

control " o f an anima l handler , if'ther e is'^sufficien t distanc e ;and/or ; barriers " between an anima l an d th e pubUc ; or

i f ayoung , or , immatur e animal , i'sjbein g handle d."excessively. " 9 C.F.R . § 2.131 . Further , there i s no standardizeddefinitio n o f wha t constitute s "direc t

control' ' (ari d give n tha t

dangerou s animals : suc h ais , lar^ e .carnivore s are , far j mor e pbwerfu l tha n an y huma n handler , i t

i s no t readUy apparen t

ho w suc h contro l coul db e humanel y maintaine d whe n th e anima l i s outsid e o f th e primar y enclosure). . No r are : there clear

standard s fo r wha t constitute s "sufficien t

distanc e arid/of; barriers"!' ' between.th e piibU c an danimal s o r

" TTi e Bi g Ca t Questions an dAnswer : Commonl y AskedBi g Ca

t Questions documen

t doe s provid e tha t wit h respec t to those species "[t]raine dhandlers , leashes , an

dstages , for

example , ar

e no t : 1 9"excessive " handUng>b f youn g aniiiials. ' /cJ.-Withou t regulatbry definition s o f thes e terms , Ucensee s ar

e no t clea'fl y o n riotice a s t o what a c tivities > ar

e prohibited,-'-ari dth e agenc y i s neglectin g it s statut&i'j"-dut y t o provide''enfbrbeabl e minimu mrequirement s fo r human e handUng . ••,,•!;: . • . > - r ^.n-ir-ir : •: ' - . ; Th e 8-1 2 wee

k poUc y fo r bi g cat s raised'particula r eriforceriien t

concerns , a s eve n whe n APHI S i s present

durin g pubUc exhibitio n i t i s almos t

impossibl e fo r

inspector s t

o determin e i f

acu b bein^ f use don^displaiyii s trul y withi n the'age * rang e o f 8-1 2 weeks , giveri th e gfea t varianc e (bbthdritraspecific'an dinterspecific ) in'bbd y size . WhU e knowin g acu

b i s /ulnerabl e because''of-iti s :::ag e is'appareritl y ribt

encug h tb-'cit

e fo r aviolation ' of

th e handUri g regulation s a s iiriSpectb f s rieedevideric e of

adverse'effect s b f

handlin g t

o finda violaticr i of

th e perfofmariii e standar dsb'in e inspecitbr s 'd

o appea r t b giv e significan t weigh t t o th e ag

e ofth e aniriial.-See' , Inspectio n Report-fo r Zbotasti c o f

Lak e Norman , Inc . (Iv^a y 18 , 2011) ' (citiri g aviblatibr i b f Sectio n •2.13l(c)(i ) an dribtirig tha t a4. 5 wee

k ol d tiger : cu b "i s to

b young't o b

e ir i pubUc contac t

a s youri' g cub s ^less-tha n ^ 6 week s ol dd

o no t hav e robust'im'mun e sySteiiis 5 an dare vulnerabl e t o infection.") . Thus , i t

i s extremel y difficul t fo r a'Ucense e (o r

inspecto r

or'teembe r

o f th e pubUc ) • t

o krio w i f

pubUc contac t

i s aUowe dwit h aparticula r

bi g cat'an dunde r

what circumstances . ' • Thi s difficult y i n enforcement i s denibristrate dby'the'fact^that Uceiisee s wh o routinel y offe r pubUc cbntact'wit h big-cats , beafs ; an dnorihuiriia n primate s af

e very--rarel y cite dfo r violatibn s o f

th e performanc e stajidardg'i n th e handUng ' regulations , despite abundan t e-^ridenc e of th e negativ e anima l w.elfafe=impactfe'ir0in suc h activities:'' * -' r 'rw : •. ; Fo r example , th e G WExoti c Aniin'a l iPark : (#73^-C-^0139), ' whib h regiUarl y off e o f th e pubU c th e opportunity t

o intefac t

'ail dtak e photograph s with'bi g cat s (se e Appendi x A) , ha s onl y been cite dfo r

on e haridUrig 3 Viol:atibr

i sirice-Marc h 2010 , an dtha t citatio n wa s th e resiU t of acomplain t

subriiitte dt

b USD A b y a'concerne dcitizen : Se e Inspectio n Report

fo f G WExoti c Anima l Par k (Dec . 1 , -2011 ) (bitin g aviolatio n o f 9 CF R§ 2.131(c)(1 ) whe n a3 mont h ol dtige r

cu b o n aleash " knbckb ddow n asmaUichUd) . Thus , i n 1 5 inspection s o f thi s faciUty ove

r atw o yea

r period ^ th e inspectors'v/ere^unabl e t o gather enoug h evidenc e t

o cit e fo r handUn g violation s tha t foutinel y occur

a t the'faciUt y (e.g;,^excessive handUn g b f youn g animal s and " handUng ' o f ;darigeroii S animals ^ wit h 'insufficient''^distanc e "b r barriers) . SimUarly , severa l other Ucensee s tha t

routinel y offe r

pubUc contac t

wit h bi g cat s (e.g. , T.I.G.E.R:S. , #56-0^0116 ; Bet h Corley , #73-0-0167 ; 'an dWUd?AcresiRanch , #31-0-0211 ) d o no t hav e an y citation s fb r

violation s o f

SeCtion-2.13 1 relate dt

b big'cat s Uste di n tUe'APHI S databas e (as o f

Octobe r 16 , 2012) . " . : v.r . . substitute s ' ' for

"'sufficien

t ' distarice and/o f ' barriers. " ' Se e http://www.aphis.usda.gov/anima l welfare/downloads/big cat/big ca t q&a.pdf . 20AdditionaUy ; facUitie s .known:i.to. ; routinely/ aUpw

- fo r ,pubU.c--contact , wit h bear s (e.g. , Cheroke e ,Bea

r ;Zoo, . #55-0-0118; . ;YeUowstone Bea r .World , o #82-0-0042 ; an dRober t SawmUler , d/b/ a.WUdUf e o n ;Wheel s & Awesome Anima l Attractions , #31-0-0083 ) (se e Appendi x A ) d

o no t hav e an y citations fo r

violation s o f

Sectio n 2.131(c ) (regardin g excessiv e handUn g o f

youn g bea

r cubs ) o r 2.131(d ) (regardin g unsaf

e handUn g o f

dangerou s animals ) listedinthe,iAPHI S database-(as,o f Octoberi.3:^;-2012)j.. ' •. - > , -;o i ;: : ; -" I . ' -ii . •r. . ' r r^--i r '-.ne:]; * ^-s - •:;..-. ' .''• - SimUarly , sinc e there i s np > definitipn'fo r

vy^ha t constitutes , a"traine dnonhuman jpriinate " (an dsince,suc h status , which.itself;i s a,.dubiou s cpncept;give n the.Wild ; unpredictable , .arid aggressiv e natur e of

nonhuman primates , woul db e exceedinglyjdifficul t

for i an inspecto r

t o verif y .durin g a.particulariinstanc e :pf,pubUciContact) , th e prunat e handUn g regulations!ar e also . not . clear

cenpug h , t o prptec t animal , welfar e o f

pubUc safety , jindeed , asearc h o f th e APHI S databas e ojU

y reveale dartpta l p f

two , .citation s fo r

us e o f ,a n uritraine dprimat e [(a

s of October,4 , 2012) . See,Inspectio n Repor t forrTammynThpmso n ,(#7 4 (citin g fo r

violation,pf.an dnPtin g tha t "[d]uring; apresentatio n jb y th e Ucens,ee.;:th e pubUc . wa s aUowedt

o g p int o th e are ao f

th e traveUri g hpusin g faciUt y containin g 9'lemur s an d wer e seen tp

j b e touchingt

som e o f th e lem'ars.i.A . teenage : gir l wa s seen tb ! reac h int o th e enclosure , gra

b on e o f th e .animaK s taU ari dpu U .'i t through ' th e enclosure rriesh . N o experieric e handle r

or traine r wa s presen t

o r i n an y positio n to hav e direc t contro l an d supervision bf

thi s contact . Prio r

to th e fpresentati.o n .j.b y th e Ucensee,':On

e identifiabl e emplpye e w^ s i n th e are apf;th e traveUn g .housing;with ,2 ; juvenU e ( 3 month s old ) leriaiur s w!hp;wer e unrestraine dby:.an

y means..;; . Th e employe e picke du p th e 2 lemurs.an dhande d the mt o on e o f th e [visitors;upo n request]?-.Ther,:emplpyee;.di d,no t hav e any . metho do f restrain t or mean s o f

contro l fo r

thes e animal s whU

e th e girl s wer

e holdin g the man d takin g pictures:") ; Inspectio n Repor t ,fcr. : ZobtastiC ; o f

[Lake/N ^ Ii^'C . (#55-C-0243) , Ma y 18 , 2011-(citing.for ; violatio n of,9 . CF R§ 3..r77,(g).and-.not^^^ ^ tha t the^Ucense

e use da1 year ol dverve t

mjanke y for

- pubUc contact , phot o shootsceven thoug h th e monke y .ha dno t been teste dfo r

herpe s B o r

tuberculosis:.an dwa s no t a'traine dperformin g animal) . Multipl e othe r faciUtiJe s i tha t

ar e 'know n :t

o .routinel y offe r

pubUc contac t

wit h priinates/'i n an excessiv e an dunsaf

e manne r

hav e nptrbeen : cited : fo r violation s o f

th e i genera l handUn g violation s or

th e primate-specifi c handUn g regulations.

- Fo r example , th e DeYoun g FamU y Zoo (#34-0-0141 ) an dBUtze n & ,Co . (d/b/ aSayanahlan dEducationa l Park , #43-0-0208 ) (se e Appendi x A ) hav e :n

p primate.handUn g violations-Uste di n th e APHI S database . TraveUn g menageries, ; which , ofte n featur e .pubUc interaction s orcphptographi c opportunitie s wit h big . cats! , bears,-p r

npnhuman.'primates,.als o rais e heightene denforcement concerns . Differen t inspector s ar

e ofte n responsibl e fo r

th e differen t

locatipn s travele dtP , an dthu s th e inspectpr | famiUar

wit h th e animal s a

t thei r hom e site , ma

y not b e i n th e locatio n t

o conduc t a n irispectio n o n th e road . TraveUn g menagerie s are no t eve n ,require dto submi t itinerarie s of

, tlieir . futur e travel . Se e Anima l ;Care Inspectio n . Guide , Travelin g Exhibitor , . •6.6.1 4 •'!••••; • • .• : ,',.- , .1'.; : ; ; ' • . .(2012) , 

### i- r 

### 1 • • 21 •http://www.aphis!usda;gov/aniri:ia l welfare/201 1 Inspectior i Guide//6.16%20TraveUng%20 E xhibitor%20Inspectiompdf : ,7 4 Fed : Reg-.i'5073 8 (Oct.':1;-.2009 ) (pibpose drul e t o requir e traveUn g exhibitor s t

b submi t itinerarie s t

o APHI S a

t leas t tw o day s i n advance).i ^ Withou t bein g abl e t

o trac k bi g cats , bears , an dribrihurnan''pfimates involve di n thes e traveUn g menageries , i t

i s exceedingly difficul t

fo r APHI S t o foUpw'up o n potentia r violation s ofth e handUri g regulatiori s (M&'tri e impact s b f

inhumari b or

urisaf e haridUn g inay no t

b e fel t or notice durit

U th e anirrial'has'move dt o aribther loC'atiori) . Thes e enforcbabiUt

y pfobieiri s ar

e exacerbate db y th e resourc e sliortage s tha t APHI S faces . 'APHI S ha s onl y about

12 0 Ariiriia l Car e inspector s t o peffbr mirispbction s fo r mor e tha n 3,80()'exhibitor s a

t a'wid e variet y o

f facUitie s tha t

posses s bi g cats , bears , an dprimates . Se e APHIS , Abou t Anima l Care , at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal welfare/abou t ac.shtml . Thus,.,i t

is. , imperativ e tha t APHI S regulatipn s dra

w clea r line s tha t

Ucensee s ca n .follow,,.so:that^animal w'elfare an d pubU c safety ar

e protecte deve

n i n the.absenc e o f

inspector.presence,,Suc h unambiguou s standard s Nv^puld,

. als o reduc e th e administrativ e enforcement,burde n becaus e les s tim e woul db e spent , tryin g to . determin e if . there i s aviolatio n an dbecaus e aclear rul e i s a bigge r deterren t

t o inhuman e activit y . ^ . A s explaine di n dept

h below , there,.i s simpl y n o saf e or . humane , wa

y t o aUow . fo r

.publi c ha.ndUn g of bi g cats , bears , or.,Jjonhu.ma n primate s o f

an y age , an di t

is , essential . tha t APHI S expUcitl y prohibi t suc h activity.,^'The curren t performapc e s.tandar

d.reUe s o n th e judgmen t

of Ucensee s (includin g .these , >yith,. a^lUst p o f npncompUanc e with,.th e AWA) , instea dof

empirica l evidenc e regardin g the. , negativ e ...impact s frompubU

c handling , o f

bi g cats , bears , an dnonhurria n primatec,(suc h a s unmanage dbreetUng tha t create s asurplu s o f animals ; premature mother-infan t separation . to make young , animals . avaUable , fo r commercial use ; youn g aniinal s routinel y expose dt o excessive,,handUng ; an dmatur e animal s bein g dispose do f t o substandar dfaciUtie s whe n the y becom e to o larg e t

o handle , Uvin g ou t

th e rerriainder

o f thei r Uve s i n inhuman e condition s tha t ofte n pos e aris k

t o pubUc safety and ' creat e r.dditionaL . enforcement burden s fo r

local , state, ' ari dfedera l agencies) . Th e scope : an dscale,o f thi s proble mi s immens e an dthef e i s clear

statutory authorit y an dscientifi c justificatio n *;o . unifornxl y prohibi t

suc h activity .

18After Petitioners originaUy .

filed this petition, but

before this amended

version was submitted, APHIS finaUzed

this rule tD rejquire itineraries, effective January 30, 2013. 77 Fed. Reg. 76809(Dec! 31,2012). • .r

•"

.: <• •'•• rr^• • - . 2 2VI. Public Handling pf'Big •: Animal.Welfare,.Pliblic Safety, drid-Gonsefvation and M ' ; • -• • - : r. iPir^l : U 3^:.A ,'M

; .'-- .r-h:V:---r

r:u-- A s evidence di n thi s petitip n and,supported,,b y experts , .th e Metime^. o treatmen t tha t bi g cats , bears , and^nonhuman-primate s experience,wh ^ subjecte dt o pubh c handlin g i s unjustifiabl e unde r

th e Anima l Welfar e Act. . Indeed, , th e A\^^A.require s APHIS , t o prohibi t direc t contac t an dunsaf

e clos e contac t

between thes e animals , regardles s o f thei r age , ,an d individual s pther

tha n traine demployee s or veterinarians , becaus e expUcitl y prohibitin g such activity is a necessary minimum requirement for governing humane; handUng. See. l U.S.C . § 2143(a) . Further , , suc ^ i s necessary . ,tpyprotec t pubUc safety uand consumer

expectation s and . t

o promot

e th e conservatio n o f thos e species, , wh o ar e endangered.! ^ .-

v '•-•n-' ; •" ' Infan t bi g cats' ; beafs,'and'ribiihuiriar i 'prfmatSs'aif e iffespbrisibf

y bre dt p provide'a'-'supply'b f animal s fo f

coiririierfcfia

l exhibitior i ari daf

e pfematurel y arid " forcibl y sepafated

- fro mthei r mother s to'b e grobme dfo r huma n Uandlirig . During'pubU c contact , infants ' are excessivel y haridle dand'afe p'ut'iri'dange r of"*cbntractfrig'diseases . Big'cats , bears,'an driorihuriian jjfimate s use dfo r

pubUc contac t

exhibitio n ofte n spen dsigriificari t time'traveUng , whic h i s know n t o caus e immens e stres s t o larg e carnivore s arid'ethe r highly-cognitiv e "ariimals . Dangerou s aniinal s are eve n subjecte dt o abusiv e trainin g an dpainfu l declawin g or de

fangiri g prbc^dufe s iri " afUtU e 'atteinp t t o iriake theiri"safe ' fo r

public'bontac t

'"oncb^ " the y mature; ' Whe n animal s use di n suc h pubUc'KandUn g kr^'tto longer profitable , they'are'ofte n dispbSed'of'to's'ubstaridaf dfaciUtie s t

b niak e rob mfo r

th e nex t generatio n o f

infants , wh o are^'ofter i nibre' ^ profitable!''''Ir i additiori't o these ' weU-do6"Umente danima l welfar e issues , pubUc%orita'ct'exhibitio n iri'volviri g big'catsV^'Heaf4 , bf'ribrihuma n primate s o f an y age pose s aris k "tb . pubUc safety,'both ' durin g the'actua l •'Coritact ' an d'b y creatin g asurplu s o f dangerou s wil danimal s tha t are kep t

i n bri:cky&"ds al^c

l iriadequate faciUtie s acros s th e country . Further','b y sarictioniri g pubUc handUng' ^ b f these'ariimals,-consumer s rightly los e confidenc e i n U^D A Ucensing . •..-./ • Thi s petitio n focuse s o n bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman " primates,^a s suc h animal s ar e mos t commonly use di n pubUc contac t exhibition-an dbecausejpubU c handUn g o f .suc h animal s (regardles s o f

age) i s contrary t

o th e humane-handUn g mandate o f th e AWA , undermme s conservatio n effort s fo r numerou s endangere dspecies , an dthreaten s th e safety o f th e pubUc . Tha t

man y state s hav e banne dpossessio n o f thes e animal s b y unqualifie d individual s furthe r

support s th e argumen t

tha t USD A mus t

tak e actio n t

o prohibi t

person s othe r tha n Ucensee s an dthei r traine demployee s or

veterinarian s fro mcpmin g intp dfrec t physica l contac t

o r unsaf e clos e contac t

wit h thes e dangerou s animals . Se e Wash . Rev . Cod

e 1 9 Th e Endangered'Specie s Act , whic h Congres s enacte dto promot e th e conservatio n o f

specie s threatene dwith'extinction , recognize s tha t USD A ha s jurisdictio n ove r th e p'bssession o f

animal s i n certai n faciUtie s an dencoiu-age s federa l agencie s to wor k together to protec t

endangere dspecies . Se e 1 6 U.S.C . § 1540(e) , (h) . ' I 2 3§ 16.30 ; Iow aCod b Anti . § 717:F.1 ; La ! Aldmin : Cod e Titl e 76 ; Part'V,' f

115 ; Md . Cod

e Ann. , Crim . La w § 10-621 . Further, ' state s ar e begiririiri g t

o recogniz e that'publi c contac t wit h bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primate s 'i s irialppropriate , an dhav e begu n t o specificaU y prohibi t suc h actioris . See , e.^r. , Mi^s : Cbd e 'ritl e 49, ' Chap . 8 & PubU c Notic e 3523.00 2 (prohibitin g physica l contac t between'inherentl y dangerou s ariinial s and'th e pubU c a t bot h perma!neri

t an dtempbr!afy^ exhibitioris) ; A Z Admiri; ' Cbde*^ ^ R12-4-40 7 (prohibitin g phbtbgraphi c " opportunities ' involvin g p'ubU c contac t wit h restficte d'wUdlife) ; Kan. ' Stat . Arin . 32-1306(d

) (" adaiigerbu s regulated"anima l shal l riot'be aUowedt o com e int o physica l contac t wit h any perso n other tha n th e perso n possessin g th e animals , th e registere d designate dhandle r

or aveterinarian...") . , , , . •

' '"A . Unmanage dBre'edirik ' ' ' " ' ' In-orde r t o ensure asteady , suppl y o f prpfitabl e big-cats , bears , an dnorihuman primates , USD A .Ucensee s irresponsibl y bree dsuc h animal s withou t th e resource s o r

plannin g necessar y >fo r human e captive.pippagation . Thi s frequent breedin g haS i negativ e welfar e impact s o n th e dam s an dinfant s an dals o undermine s th e conservation.o f endangere dbi g cats , bears , an dprimates . . . . ' , r

; • . . : , : , i > Wit h respec t

t o bi g cats , intensiv e breedin g operation s hav e emerge dwit h an estimate d severa l hundre dcubs.born eac h .year . Dozen s o f Ucense dfaciUtie s (identifie dabove an di n Appendi x A ) ar

e regularl y advertising,opportunitie s fo r th e pubUc t

o handl e Upn an dtige r cub s i n traveUn g ma

U exhibits , priyat e menageries , or . roadsid e zoos . Give n .big . ca t reproductiv e biolog y an dtha t cjiib s ar e "generall

y onl y eligibl e fo r

approximatef

y fou r week. s p f handUn g (becaus e of

th e 8-1 2 wee

k pbUcy) , t

o meet thi s advertise dsuppl y thes e 3 3 breedin g faciUtie s woiU dhav e t o produc e a n estimate d20 0 cub s .eac h year , at mini mum , fo r suc h pubU

c exhibition.^ " AP.HI S inspector s ma y b e unavvar

e tha t anumber

o f thes e cub s exist , sinc e the y ma

y b e kep t i n area s tha t

inspector s d

p no t routinel y inspec t

(suc h a s th e exhibitor' s hom

e o r th e home s o f

th e exhibitor' s employees ) or ma y b e born an dtransferre d t o another

faciUty withi n month s (meanin g tha t annua l inspection s ar

e to o infrequen t

t o monito r anima l inventories) ! . ^ Further , animal ' inventorie' s reporte db y APHI S inspector s ofteri rel y b n informatio n provide db y th e ncensee , whic h ma y be'iriaccurate , a s th e agenc y doe s no t hav e aforma l trackin g system ' t

o calculat e th e fu U scope o f thi s problem ! Fo r

exaiinplie , on

e Ueerise e wh o 2 0 I f eac h o f these 3 3 exhibitors ha

don e cu b avaUabl e for pubh c handUn g yea r round , give

n th e 8-1 2 wee k poUc y tha t wbul dmea n tha t eac h exhibito

r wbul dnee di2^cub' s pe

r year, which wbuld'equait

e to 39 6 cub s bor

n pe r yea r to mee t thi s demand . However ; i t

i s clea r tha t exhibitors ar

e using cub s for pubh c handUn g for longe r tha n 4 weeks , an

dsom e exhibitor s are

f more, prolific,an dconsistent ; breeder s tha n others. . SimUarly , som

e exhibitors ma

y no t hav e cub s available,a

U yea r .round, .whU

e som e ar e know n to hav e at^leas t tw o cub s a t astationar

y faciUt y an dtw o cub s i n atraveUn

g exhibit a U year . Base

do n 'thi s iiifoirm'ation , i t

i s hkel y tha t aminimu mo f 20 0 cub s bein

g bor n eac h yea r for pubh c handhn g i s aconservativ

e estimate . Se

e als o Declaration o

f Dr . Rorxal

dTUso n at^ 7 ("i

t is . hkel y tha t we U ove r 10 0 tige r cubs pe r yea r ar e bor n i n th e U.S . outsid

e o f th e AZA Tige

r SSP") . 2

4 

# ; • • .routinel y offer s pubU c .coritact..-with-bi g cats , an dbear s -(Jo e Schreibyogel , #,73-C-0139) recentl y pubUclyijinpcke d. the , . inaccuracies , of USDA's . inyentpries , claimin g "[I ] gues s accordin g t

o thi s inventory I coul dsel l 3 5 mpre.tiger s pr i th e black,market..:an dn o on e woul dmis s them , huh? " Se e Appendi x B.r,Se e aZs

o Declaration,o f

Car^ ^ a

t T| 3 ("i t appear s t o b e routin e practic e fo r

USD A exhibitors , t o simpl y as] k Ucensee s fo r

an inventory

, o f thei r animals , a s oppose dt

o personaUy yerifying , .these numbers'!) . Withou t knowin g ho w man y animal s Ucensee s posses s i t i s extraordinaril y difficul t fo r the , agencyjan dth e pubU c t o measur

e th e .exact , scope of,th e proble mof bree^ding,.for , p.ubli c contac t exhibitio n (o

r subsequent

disposition) . ^ ; . .. . , . . , , , ^ . - , . ( , ; Primate s an dbear s ma y b e bre dles s frequently, give n th e s'p'^ecies' biolog y - gestatio n period s an dinterbirt h interval s are generaUy longer amongs t primates:,an dbear s tha n bi g cats . See , e.g. , J . WalUs , A Surve y o f Reproductiv e Parameter s ir i th e Free-Rangin g Chimpanzee s o f

Gombe Nationa l Park]' . J . o f Reproductio n iand'FertUit y Vol:f'109 , 297-307 ('1997 ) (chimpanze e gestatipr i averages'225. 3 days) ; Joa n SiU c ^e t aL , Gestatio n 'Lerigtf

i i n Rhesu s Macaque s (Macac amulattaj) , Irit'l : J . o f Primatolog y Vol . 14(1 ) (1993 ) (averag e gestatio n perio dfo r

tin s macaqu e monke y is'166. 5 days);'K;R f Foresma n & 'J.G . Daniel s Jr. , Plasm aProgesterone Concentration s i n Pregnan t an dNonpregnan t

Blac k Bear s (Ursu s americanusj , |J . o f

Reproductio n an dFertUit y Vol . 68 , .235,-23 9 (1983 ) (blac k bea r gestatio n peribd'i s apprbximatel y 22 5 days, , includin g about"l'45-16 5 .day s of arreste ddevelopment) ; Mari aPasitschniak-Arts ! [/rsi/ s arctos , Mamm'aliari Specie s No . 439 ! Ariierica n Societ y of MairimmbgistsX1993 ) (grizzly : bea r 'ges^ ^ day s o f (ielaye dembry o iniplaritatibrifand

42-56 days pf fetal develppriierit); Linda L. Kerley et al.. Reproductive Parameters'q^^Wild'Female Amur (Siberidri)'

Tigers jPan^tigris altaica^, J. bf Mariamalogy Vol. 84Q), 288-298•(2003) (tiger ge^^^is approximately 103 days); Crai g Packe r

Ann e E . Piisey , Mal e Tdkeovef s an diF^efnpil

e Reproductiv e Parameters : A Simulatio n o f

Oestrou s Syri^hrohy in

^ Lion s (Paiitll^ ^ Behaviou r Vol . 31 , 334

- 34 0 (1983 ) (Uo

n gestatio n perio daverage s 11 0 days) ! Fufther , th e lac k of a n 8-1 2 wee

k poUc y fo r primate s ari dbear s ineairi s tha t Ucensees * hav e les s financial incentiv e t o bree d thes e species'a s frequently, sinc e the y ca n WwfuU y b e use dfb r

publi c handUn g withou t an y age restriction s (provide dth e performanc e standar di s met) . However ! "i t i s clear tha t numerou s Ucensee s ar

e breedin g primates-and . bear s ari dmakin g infant s avaUabl e fo r pubUc interaction , and ; photo , shoots,,.,an dsuch'breedin g .is,:don e fo r ,coinmercia l purpose s wit h np . regard , t

p preservatip n o f

geneti c integrit y o r

plannin g for

th e Ufetim e car

e o f thes e long-Uve danimals .

i : ' ' Th e Associatio n 'o f

Zpos,!.an

dAquarium s (A2LA ) i s th e onl y domestic , organizatio n tha t manages.- , . endangeredt

- ; specie s : - throug h Species

- Survival : r Plan' s (SSP , http://www.a2a':org/8pecie8-survival-plan-pfogram/) : based

- on" ' th e best

- avaUabl e ' scienc e t o mairitair i geribti c inte'grity o f captive ' colonic s as' ahedg e agains t extinction . Conversely , accordin g t

b Dr . Repai dTil^pn , wh p coordinatei dth e AZ A 'Tige r SS P friop i 198 7 t

o 201 1 an d ha s .decade s o f

experienc e i n tige r

husbandry : > . ? : . . . . • ' • , 

### ' ' : •

' 

### • ' • • • '• ' 

### ' •• • '2 5breeding , pfaadces,

- b y pubUc . contact:'exhibitors. , .seriousl y undermin e '

legitimat e in-sit u specie s conservatio n efforts , jeopardiz e anima l healt h an d welfar e issues , an dsend s fals e an dmisleadin g conservatio n message s t o th e general pubUc . .. . Roadsid e zoo s an dbthe f unaccredite dfacUities'bree dcub s recklessl y eac h yea

r to'suppl y th e deman dfo r pubh c handUn g Privat e . :

. . breeder s . typically ^ ignore professionall y recognized , .best , practice s lik e . maintaining/increasin g geneti c integrity,.,aUowin g mother s to rear t offspring , an dinsurin g bot h mother .an dcub s ar

e no t s.ubjectedt

o stressfu l . , . . environments , suc h a, s constan t

in.t^er-cit y transfer s i n inadequatel y designe d vans/trucks . B y frivolously breedin g tigers , fo r exampl e b y no t

maintaining ,

. , geneti c diversity , th e resul t i s tha t thes e offsprin g roost

likel y .wil l hav e lowe r reproductiv e success , som e will/suffer , from, cpngenital , defect s hi p

, ..dysplasi aan dclef

t palates . and„ afew.will , becom e s p neuroti c tha t

the y wi U attac k an dmai mor

kU l thei r cage mates. : , ! . , Declaratio n of

Di- . TUson , a t

116-7.. . .. SimUafly , Els e Poulsen , abea r husbandry exper

t wit h ove

r 2 5 year s o f

experieric e workin g

. I . , , .'' 1 . ' .. . . . ... . , ' . in captive wUdUfe management,'^recognizes the detriniental impacts of

breeding for

pubUc contact exhibition. See Declafa'tibn of !Else Poulseri, at

^5' ("Breedirig bears outside of legitiiriate captive propagation" programs has se'rioUs i'mpUcations for bear welfare and conservation. These*practices resuifin a^ipopulatiori of bears withiout

genetic integrity..! and a surplus of

bears relative to the space available to "provide adequate lifetime cafe: Often exhibitors engaged

in the businesses of

aUbwirig'

pabUc handUng; of

bea do'riot

ehaplby professionaUy recognized best practices likJe'

k(;epirig a studbook

that is shared

between faciUties to encourage genetic diversity'and'-accouritabUity.'')! See also Assbciatibri of Zoos and Aquariums, Primate Advisory (jc6iip, 'Primdce Pet Position Statemerit, available a t http://www.lpzoo.org/chiin*p''^ss'u/AZA ' statement.pd f ("Pe t primate s ar

e uriabl e t

o contribut e geneticaU

y t o thos e coriservatioi i p f

bgrairi' s i n whic h the y ar e neede ddu e t

o thei r isolatio n fro mth e managed-pbpulatibn'ari dalso'i n riiany case s t o serioU s deficit s ir i thei r socia l skiU s relate dt

o thei r rearin g an dmai'ntenaric e i n isolatio n fromother' s o f thei r kind.") . ' • ' ' ' ' • ' ^ A s discusse di n the foUowin g secticn , thi s ^f;•iY61ou s comm,3rcia ! breedin g i s almost.,aIway s assbciate dwit h premat!.'.r e .motherrinfant . separation , which.ha s negativ e welfar e impact s o n bot h th e da man dinfant;,Tndeed , 'the , prematur e separatio n o f mother s an dinfant s may , decreas e th e interbirt h interva l fo r thes e species , increasin g •^,h e frequenej' o f

breedin g an d infUctin g unnecessar

y distres s o n th e mother . Further , becaus e man y specie s o f bi g cats , bears , an dprimate s ar e "nearing extinctio n i n th e wUd , suc h unmanage dcoriimercia l breedin g i s e've

n mor e egregiou s an dstand s i n staf k contras t t o bfeeding b y AZA-accredite d faciUtie s tha t

preserv e gerieti c integrit y an densure iarnma l welfare . Iri order

fo r APHl S t b protec t anima l welfare , a s require db y th e AWA , i t mus t addres s irresponsibl e breedin g b y 2 6Ucensees , whic h i s a;root cause . of th e welfar e crisi s seen i n substandar dfaciUtie s acros s th e country. - [•:- . •••, ! -u'v" . •-:••..•'••••;<•"''•-•.••:•-..•• . • ; ;-,rs ' B . Pfematur e Mother-Infan t Separation.. „ . . , . . . 

# ! ' - . ! ' r

. ' '.' ' • . . • WhUe pubh c interactio n an dphbtograplub opportunities^ ^ cats , bears , an d nonhuman pririiates stUl does bcbur

and is riot expUcitly pfbliibited by currerit

regulations, exhibitbrs'

mbfe frequently'offef public'Cbntact' with'irifarit

arid'jUveniie animals." This is Ukely because the Aineric^an pubUc is quite enchanted with ianiinal

babies and, thus, there is more opportunify for

cPitimercial

gain'with siibh aniirials; See,'e!'^"!,, Stephen Jay Gould, A Biological

" ''"Hdmage "

• ' 'to Mickey''''

Mowse,"

available'

at http://todd.ia"ckman.viilarib'ya:edu/HurilanEvol7Hori ^ ' ': ' ("Many animals . ^ possess''soiri e featiri*e s 'aIs b 'sh ababies ! : : w e are drawn , t

o them , we cultivat e the ma s pets ! we'stb p ari' dadmfre ' theri i i n th e wild." . ;feafure s o f hurnan cUUdhoo d /.- I 1 •.. . .^ii. „ I I =J'! : i. 1 i_:'i - 'n - I n order t b mak e infan t bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman pririiate s avaUable ' fo f "pubUc handUng , suc h infants , must-b e separate d.fron i thei r dam s .prematurel y an doften , forcibly . Fo r example ! one

j insider , wh o formerl y (worked.fpr...a , pubUc cpntac t exhibito r

(an dwh o submitte dacomplain t

to,,USD A o n ^ept . 1 , 2012),

- p n ,thfe e occasion s i n les s tha n ayea r ;v^itnesse, d''infan t

cubs . b(Bing

r p]uUe d.fro mthei r

jnother s whU

e th e cub s wer

e activel y nursing j th e J same,,da

y .t.b?5^ , were,-born^^

^ Se,^, . a/so,,Declaratio n of,Els e Poulse n at 11 6 ("Prepiature separatio n p f mother , an d,ne,wbpr

n be.ar s i s acbmmon practic e fo r pubUc contac t exhibitors , as . hand-rearin g cubs,,aUpws . th e pubUc acces s t o sma U bear s tha t

are easie r to.fe.ed.an dhandle.") ; Peclaratip;^,,pf'Dr;.;Tilspn,.at.1Il l ("I n man y instance s where substandar d.facilities , separate c,ubs .because , o f a,.clai.m,.tha

t th e mpther s are npt

prpvidin g prope r carp , it,ma y b

e tha t the , birthin g .environmierit,..includin g th e presenc e o f staff, cpntribute dt

o th e rejectio n b y th e mother.''); , Peplaratio n p f C Baski n a

t ^ 5 ("Becaus e young , cub s ar

e the , mos t

profitabl e fo r

exhibitors , mos t

, are , prematurel y separated,fro m thef r mothers.'') ; Declaration,o f Dr. . Henr y M . Richardson , D^M^a t ^ 7 ("Th e length o f

tim e tha t expert s recognize , a s necessar y fp r norma l infan t

deyeloprnen

t varie s dependin g o n th e species , bu t

there i s genera l consensu s tha t i n legitimat e captiv e propagatio n program s th e bes t practic e i s t

o avoi ddisturbin g mother s an dnewborn s (physicaUy or eve n audibly ) s o tha t the y ca n bon dan destabUsh . aroutin e fo r prope r physica l an dbehaviora l development . I n contrast , exhibitors'engage di n the ' busines s of f breedin g for * ^pubU

c handlin g ofte n prematurel y an dforCibfy^eparat e infant s bot h to obtai n youn g cub s ifo r pubUc contac t

an d t o encourag e ada

mto'reproduc e again,'irioreiquickly.") ; .'r.!' ; '• ' ' \ . ,.. . :r. . : - 'rr : " . rr- - • ' , r t ^ I t i s weU estabUshe d.tha t mammal s have . extraordinar y motherrinfan t relationship s tha t are essentia l t

o the , biologica l ..an

dsoci ^ development

o f these,.,species . Se

e M . Elsbet h McPhee. & Kathy Carlstead, The Importance of Maintaining Natural

Behaviors in Captive Mammals , i n WUd.Mammal s i n Captivit y (Debr aKleima n et,al,.eds) , 303-31 3 (2010) ("I n mos t mammals , th e mother

- infan t relationshi p i s critica l t o th e futur e development o f of f • • 2

7spring , affectin g futur e defensiv e re'spbrise s an dreprbductiv e 'behavior;;. A disturbe d

mother

- infan t

relationship'ma y depriv e tKe;ybun g ariima l of specifi c stimulatio n essentia l fo r the ' developmeri t

of norma l emotional regulation , socia l interaction , ari dcorriplex goal

directe dbehavibrs , ir i ^particular , materna l an dsexua l beha'vibfs."); ' N!R . Latha m& G.J . 'M&son, ' Materna l Deprivation , an dth e Developmen

t o f Stereotypi c Behaviour , Appl . Anim . Behav . Sci! , Vol . 110(1-2) , "84-108 (2008) ; T.H . Clutton-Brbc k &-D . Lukas , The Evolutio n o f Socia l Philopair y an dDispersa l i n Feiflal e Mammals , Molecula r Ecblog-y Gbl . 21(3)

- 472-49 2 (Feb . 2012) ; R.C-Newberry'&J:C/'Swarison , Irriplication s o f Breakin g Mother-Youn g Socia l Bonds , AppUe dAnima l BehavioU f Science'Vol . 110 , 3-2 3 (2008) . (materna l bendin g between mammalia n mothe r

and'youn g is ' mediate db y hormone s an dneurotransmitter s tha t facUitat e attachmen t

and ; materna l behavibr);>MammaUari'mothers ; fiercely protec t thei r youn g a t leas t untU the y ar

e weane dan dself-sufficient ; thus , Ucensee s mus t us e force , deceptibn , o

r chemica l iiAriiobiUzer s t o separate thes e infarits. ! Weanin g i s normaUy aslo w an dgradual'process ; and'ith e natural-ag e o f v/eanin g fo r

bi g cats, bears; and

nonhuman primates ranges from'several months to several years: See, e.g., Birut e Galdika s & Jame s Wood ; Birt h Spacin g Pattern s i n Humans'and'Apes , America n J . o f Physica l Anth'ropblog y Vbl> . 83(2) , 185-19 1 ^(Oct. ' 1990 ) (natura l ag

e o f weanin g fo r •orangutan s i s about

8 yearsvoabout

5'year s fo r

chimpanzees) ; ^Mark ' Prescott et al. . Laborator y macaques : Whe n " to- , wean'? , AppUe dAriima l Behavibu r Scienc e (iri press , accepte dNov . 3 , 2011 ) ("I t i s . preferabl e fo r

youn g niacaque s t

o remai n wit h thei r

mother s untU the y hav e becom

e behaviouraUj i independent . Minimu mweanin g ag e shbuld : therefor e not normaUy be less than 10-14? moritHs'olcii'.:'');'Paul .Garber & Steven ^i'^. Ontogenetic Variation in Small-Bodied New •World

Primates: Implications for Patterns of

Reproduction an dInfan t

Care , FbU aPrimatolbgiba'Vol[''63, ' l-'2 2 (1997)-(natural age b f Weariiri g fo r

Ne w World primates ranges about 3-8mbmlis);''Sunquist;'-Mi and*F. (2002) Wild Cats of The World , Th e Universit y o f Chicagb^Prb'ssVlIitd. ; Londo n (ria t ura l ag e o f we'anin g fo r

tiger s i s about 6 months) ; Sara h Haa s et ' al,:'Pan.</ie m/co,'MammaUa n .SpbCie s No . 762 , 1-1 1 (Jul y 15, 2005) (Uon cUbs naturaUyiwearied byfabbut8'riionths); Keviri Seymour, Pa>if/iera onca, MainmaUa n Specie s No i 34t! , 1-9 (Oct ; 26 ; 1989 ) (suckUri g continue s untU 5- 6 riibnths fo r jaguars) ; Pau l Krausma n &"'Susan aMorales ; Acinonyx-jubatus , MamrriaUan Species'No . 771 , 1- 6 (Jul y 15 , 2005)i'(che'etah s are • weane db y 6 inbnths),vMaria ~ Pasitschniak-Arts ; Ursu s orc/os,*.MammaUa n SpeciesiNo;'439 ; 1.-10 (Apr U 23,'1993 ) (brow n beafs nurs e fo r 1.5

- 2. 5 years) . • ru,.-^ ' r r . /M-T ' ' , .•':^/T!' ' ;,'.;.L„,>jO' . ' ! ^-^Vr . 3',-, i r^'-: -:\u'i.\ r..-.rr r: , " WhU e dispersa l pattern s vafy amongs t these j specie s an dbetween the_sexes , infan t bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman prini^te s naturall y remai n wit h thei r mothers,for , extende d.peripd s p f time to, .develop essential survival . skUls. Sec^Erlend

NUsen et, al, .'Th.e Gpst .of^faturing Earl y i n aSolitar y Carnivore , Oecologi aVol . 164 , 943-94 8 (2010) . Bi g cat cu,bs,remai n wit h thei r mother s fp r

about , two.years , bear s remai n fo r 2- 3 years , an dprimates.,remai n wit h thei r mother s fo r

nearl y . adecad

e prio r t o dispersin g fro mthei r

nata l groups , Se

e id. ; Vikto r Reinhardt , Artificia l Weanin g o f Ol dWorl dMonkeys : Benefit s an dCosts , J . o f Applie d 2 8Animal

Welfare .Science . Vol. .'5(2),, 151-156 ;:(2,002); .yratislay Mazak, Panthera tigris, MammaUan Species No. 152,. l:-8,(May '8,.,1981};; Linda. Sweanpr;;et,:,fiL, Cougar Dispersal Patters , Metapopulatior u Dynamics^ , an dOonaervaUpP' , .GpTisetyatioTi)Biology Vol . 14(3) , 798

- 80 8 (Jun e 2000) ; Serg e .Lariyiere,.,C/rsw s .arttericoin-tiSi . MammaUa n Species

- No . 647 , l- H (Jan. 23, 2001); Rebecca Snyder et al.. Consequences of

Early Rearing on Socializatipn and Socia l Competence o f

th e Gian t Parpda , i n , Gi^ri t

Pandas : Biology,;',Veterinar y Medicine ; .and Managemen t

(David ; WUd

t et.ial , :eds) (''Carnivore|.pffsp.rin g .are,.iriyar ^ altricial , tha t

i s highl y deperident.o n parenta l Care, (although , n o pthe r carnivpfed s s o muc h so as;th e gian t panda), , The|;Tperio dof^sdependencj e o f many , large. ; carnivore s i s " long , an dth e age ,io f independence.;i s greatest-in i ursids:

- ,carnivore s .reare din;,sbciaUy ; deprive dsettings ; als o exhibi t late r deficiencie s in-materna l behavior'O'(internal.citatiein s ,omitted) . t . :' • " : ' ; :;c(, li''

;,iii' ;i:-.'t'

r-. ;' n-:-ry-

. : n-r , '

' ^ r>.; Therefore , whe n Ucensee s prematurel y separate (eithe r immediatel y or

afte r afe w day s or weeks ) bi g cat , bear , or nonhuman primat e infant s fromthei r dams , the y depriv e thes e ammal s o f

^years.^o f .norma l development

an deaUse . th e infant s .t o suffe r from;behavioral abnormaUties,. ^ suc h a s menta l an dreproductiv e disprde.rs . These , impact s -ar e mos t weU

studie dwit h respe.ct:to nonhuman primates;

- S^ e Karen ; Parke r

; & Dari o Maestripieri , Identifying Key Features of Early Stressfuh Experiences,that,Produ:cejStr,e.ss Vulrierability an dResilience-in . Primates , Neuroscienc e an dBiobehaviora l Re'viewSjiyo l 35 , ,1466.-148 3 (2011 ) ("th

e stres s o f

.ieiarly-,p:arental-..'loss, > .neglect , ,0r . abuse ' .produ^ ^ enhance dfear

an d anjfiety i increase d"a«hedoni a.[mpo ddisorders] , >iinp&ire dcognition , abnorma l brai n neurpcheihistry . an dineurpbiology, . an dalteratioris ; i n j baseUne activit y as,.weU a s stres s ireactiyityi.of.th e hypothalamic-pituitai^radrenal!{HPA):,axis' 0 A . Blobmsmith et al. . Early'Rearifkg,Condition s ari d(^ptivei.Chimponze&^ ^ Som

e Surprisin g Findings , i n NURSER Y 

### REAiiiNG.pF.NONiMMA N PRIMATE S 

### iNrirH

E .2I^T ; CENTURY , 

### a

t 29 9 (Gene . P . Sacket t et al . eds. , 2006 ) (findin g that.first-timejcap.tiv e chiSnpanzee.mother s who wer e prematurel y separate dfromthei r

mother s .whe

n they ; were infants;''are -approximatel y fou r time s .mor

e Ukel y t o b e .iricoiripetent

iriothers , a s compare dtp . chimpanzee s wh o wer e reare db y thei r mothers . I n (additio n t o ,long;-term , behaviora l .impact s that ; ca n resul t frommaterna l incompetence , initia l competenc^ri s measure dthrp.ugh the ' mother' s abUit y an dwilUngnes s to aUo w he f infant « t

o suckle, : and e to carry—andprotect ' th e infant) ; ' Internationa l Priniatologica l Society, . Opposition.tothe.Use , o f Nonhuma n Primate s i n th e Media) (2009) , a

t http://www;iriternatipnalprimatoIogicalsocietv.org/OppositionToTheUseOfNfonhumanPrim a tesInTheMedia.cf

m(findin g tha t

"many nonhuman primate s use da s actof s i n movie s an d televisio n an da s phot

o prop s fo r

commercial s an dgreetin g card s are ofte n remove dfrom thei f mother s shoftly'afte r birth'ari dafe-'denie doppbrturiitie s fo f riormal socia l an d psycholpgicai l 1 develbpirie'rit) ; G.A . Bradshaw " e t ai. , Developrrtental Contex t Effect s o n Biculiura l Pdst-IYdicm aSel f Repai r i n Chimpanzeei^ , D^kVEtOPMEmAL PSYCHOLOG Y vol . 45 , rio.5;'l376-1388 (2009) . 'See als o Associatio n o f Zoo s an dAquariums , Whit e Paper : Ape s ir i Medi aarid , Commercia l 'Performancei^ ; d t http://www.aza:org/wbite-paper'-apes-iri-media

and-cbmriierciar^performances / (fecogruzin g tha t

"ape s destine d• tb ; b e pefforriier s o r photographi c prop s are typicaU y rernove dfromthei r mothe r shortl y afte f

birt h arid , thus ,

. ; 2 9ar

e denie dopportunitie s fo r norma l socia l andpsychologica l developrrient . Thi s ha s severa l commercial advantape o t o an owner . Infant e remove di n thi s manner wU l b e appeaUn g an d remai n submissiv e fo r

handUn g b y humari s fo r severa l years . Mother s whos e infant s ar e remove dwi U resum

e sexua l cycUng ari dproduc e another profitabl e infan t

quickly . Bu t

ape s raise dby human s in^-th e abssnc e o f

other member s c f

thei r specie s wUl'no t

normaUy acquire th e skUl s t

o be sociall y an dsexuall y competen t as : juvenile s an dadults . The y ma y neve r readjus t t o Uf e i n anorma l socia l group , an dthu s the y ar e usuaUy relegate dt

o socia l an dsexua l isolatiori , whic h ofteri lead s to abnorma l behaviof s suc h a s self-mutUation . Fo r thes e reasons , i t

typicall y i s nbt

feasibl e t

o irivolv e "these individual s i n conservation-base d breedin g prbgrams.") . / However , ther

e i s n o reaso E t

o beUev e tha t mariimaUan ctrnivprei s sUch a s bi g cat s .'and bears'woul dno t

simUafl y Suffer

fiom. suc h deveiopmental disorders.: : Indeed , studie s hav e confirme dtha t

thes e altricia l specie s ar e falso-severely affecte db y materna l deprivation . Se e Debr aForthma n & Roge r Bakeman,'Environmental'an dSocia l Influence s o n Enclosur e Us e an dActivit y Pattern s o f Captiv e Slot h i?ears,-Zo o Biolog y Vol . 11(6),-405-41 5 (1992) (han d reare dbear s showedsignificantly . Jiigher frequencie s o f

self-directe dari dstereotype d behavior s tha n di dmother-rea!ie danimals) . Se ^ oi/so Declaratio n o f

!Dr. TUso n at

^8-1 0 ("Prematurel y removin g abi g eat'ju b from' it s mother i s riot condorie db y th e niajorit y o f anima l care . professional s because; , i t may• hav e significan t negativ e developmeiical an d Aii^elfar e impact s fo r

bot h th e cu b ari dit s mother . .. . Tige r expert s wit h huridred s b f year s o f experienc e i n captiv e propagatipri'agre e tha t i t i s norriiaU y i n acub' s bes t interes t t o sta y v/ith it s mother

untU th e Species-typical age o f dispersal'(i.O; , 2:5-3'year&!,... . Th e larg!e'bod y of evidenc e regardin g materna l bondin g versu s riiifan t separatio n in ' mbs t

ever y primat e famUy studied'i s instructiv e i n th e !^big;ca t contex t - fo r mammals , no t

bein g reare dby

^ a mother ofth e sam

e species , an dbein g i n th e company o f other Utte r mates,.i s ahandica

p to developin g norma l adul t behavior.") ; Declaratio n o f Els e Poulse n a

t ^6- 7 ("Premature separatio n ofmothe f

an dnewbbrr

i bears..!ha s severe , long-termbehaviofa l impact s fo r th e cubs , an dbea

r expert s agree tha t

harid-rbarin g cub s shoul db e alas t resor t an donl y don

e i f amother i s not wUUng and * abl e t o car e fo r th e cub(syan dno cohort s ar e avaUabl e fo r

peer rearing . Bear

cub s hav e a'gerieti c expectatib n t o lear n fro mthei r

mothers.. . Withou t

th e oppofturiit y t

o lear n health y bea

r behavibr , cub s ar

e mor e pron e t

o stress , anxiety , an d behaviora l issue s Uk

e entrenche dstereotypes.") ; Declaratib n o f Dr ! Henr y M . Richardson , DV M at 116- 9 ("I t i s abasi c tenet

o f mammaliari ' biolog y tha t offsprin g ar

e reare db y thei r dams , includin g arelativel y lerigth y perio db f riursing ari dweariiri g an dlearnin g essentia l skiU s fo r adulthood . P'reriiature separatio n o f mother s ain

dthei f offsprin g ofte n result s i n poo r health an dbehaviora l abnbrmaUtie s ir i th e irifants , 'som e bf whic h ca n persis t throughou t

ahand-reare dinfant' s lifetime . .. . Infan t "bi g cats , bears , an dprimate s wU o are prematurel y separate dfro mthei r mother s ofte n experienc e long-ter mbehaviora l abnormaUties , especiaU y relate dt

o thei r bwr i reproductiv e behavior . Thes e impact s are very wel l estabUshe dwit h regard s t b pfiinates , ari dtha t

bod y o f evideric e i s largel y appUcabl e t

o bi g cats,an dbear s a s weil. . Indeed , bi g ca t cub s an despeciaU

y bea r cub s are 30know n t

o b e very , dependent

) o n "theic-dam s ^^t

o ^learr i .species-typica

l adul t behaviors.") ; Declaratio n o f

Carol e Baski n at

11 5 ("Bi g Ca t

Rescue;i s hom

e to;on e tige r wh o wa s separate d fromhis:mothe r

sobn:afte r

birt h an dstU l sucks ; or i his . paw s 1 7 year s later . Abnorma l suckUn g behavior ; is

j commor i i n hand-reare dcatsuandri s ,Ukel y acopin g mechanis mfo r materna l deprivation

- "A t leas t .tw o otherc-adult

exotic ; cat s a

t Bi g :Ca t Rescu e wh o wer

e ,hand-reare ddispIa

y simUar abnorma l behavior.") . •'' • !.'. . - . ! : r;' ^ • • . •

.' - ', ' ' • . ' • ' • '

• • '. K : -o">

' : . i : • : ••'-. J »

. ' • •

• - .-• • ' ' Thus , i t i s no t surprisin g tha t

th e scientfficaUy-base dan dpeer-reviewe dcar e manual s tha t AZA-accredited

facUities fpUow for

certain species expUcitly prbhibit. premature,motherinfant separation and

advise that

mothers be given the opportunity to reaf their offspring. For example, tbe AZA Polar Bear Care Manual

(available at http://www.aza.org/uploadedFUes/AriimaI Care and

MariagementTHusbandrv. Health, an d Welfare/Husbandry and Animal Care/PolarBearCareManUal.pdf) states: "it is/ always preferred tO'.have'a riiothef-raised polar bear cub'^at pgr 4.1)! and "letting; [a polar, bear mother]choo'se her

normal foutirie;: has increased

tbcsuccess 'of

"mother-rearing'

cubs", (ait

pg •14). The mariual

goes pn to say that

"there should

be, rib need-to handle a healthy looking poilar bear cub:that .is being mother

reared" . and; that

"Rickets has been documented in a 'pair of hand-reared

polar.bears'? (at

pg 41). Recognizing-the meed to iriaintain a calm and quiet envirpriment

for female .bears who , have -just ;^yen . birth,,-the A!ZA manual recommends that

.''access , to the-;area be Umited'to necessary personnel only, and

Pnly for short periods of

time. eVen for

approved

staff./.The female and

cubs should

not be disturbed for. a period, of

at least 72 hoUrslbefore off6ring.!food',' . (at-.p"g, 51). For

bears to be motherreared,, is; important-:'- "over-famUiarizatiori.iwith :or:Gyer-reUance on human caretakers shoidd be avoided

ini order^tp promote inorm al behavioral

development

and tp increase the UkeUhoo.dithat

they wUl

bei able tC'

SuccessfuUy; reproduce and rear their own offspring as adults";(at-pg 52). "" . ; -o .'^^i;/i? 2'^:vi • •• •••

, • '.. ! '• ! . • . . • . 1 I 'ry,. i 'i'.'iO' " •' - J ,'.. , • • I n additio n t

o thes e long-term^ i impact s o n th e infants' , behavior , prematur e separatio n ofte n lead s t

o nutritiona l deficiencie s an dcompromise s th e infants ' immun e system . Infan t mammal s gai n protectio n fro mantibodies , protems , .an dirnmun e ceU s i n breas t milk . Se e G.R. Lubach et

al.. Effects of

Early Rearing Er^vironment on Immune-Responses of Infant Rhesu s Monkeys , Brain , Behavior , an dImmunity . Vol . 9(1) , 31-4 6 (1995 ) (rearing , i n th e absenc e of

th e mother

affects , severa l aspects , ^ o f ceUula r .imnaunit

y - nursery-reare d monkey s hav e significantl y lower proportion s b f

.CD S ceU s an dlower

natura l kiUe r

ce U activit y an da n attemp t i p rehabilitat e thes e infant s did . np t resul t i n arecover

y o f nprma l immun e fesppnses , suggestin g tha t abnorma l earl y rearin g has . long-lastin g effect s o n th e immune system); Annette R. Jensen et, al.. Development of Intestinal

Immunoglobulin Absorptio n an dEnzym e Activitie s i n Neqriqta l Pig s i s Die t Deperident , J . o f

Nutritio n Vpl . 21 , Not e tha t whU e som e of . these hand-reare

dinfant s ma

y b e able.:t o be , rehabiUtatedlater

i n Ufe , suc h rehabiUtation i s imlikel y whe n .animal s are,usedfor

pubh c contac t exhibit unt U the y matur e an dthen relocat

e to substandar

dexhibitior

i facihtie s o

r biackyai-d s withou t th e experience

dstaff'an d opportunit

y for socia l interactibr

i wit h cbnspecific s necessar

y for ' rehabihtatibri . ' ' ' ' : , 3 1131(12) , 3259-326 5 (2001 ) ("I n a U .'mammals , there is.'a'rfundamenta l transitio n in . th e nutritiona l conditions ; a t -the . time , o f

birth ! Th e . fetus' * receive s a.continuou s suppl y o f parenta l nutrient s vi ath e placenta , iwherea s th e newborn , mus t adap t t b an independen t uptake o f

colostru man dmil k

nutrient s ffc-r ' growt

h and'development , bu t als o passiv e immunit y vi ath e intestina l uptake

- o f colostra l immunbglobuUris.") ; Declaratio n o f Dr . TUso n a t 118 ; Declaratio n bf

Dr . Richardson'a t

t6 : r,r . :..•'£.: , • • • :,hri . . • 'V'l-:!. : r • -.j.

- - - -,.•.[•<' • ' • • . r I t i s we U estabUshe dtha t

th e immediat e separatio n o f mother s an dinfant s ( apractic e employe dby numerou s "exhibitors-engage di n pubU c handUn g wit h bi g cats , bears , an d norihuman primates ) deprive s the-infants-o f essential : nutrients'tha t • are exceedingl y difficul t t o substitute . Se

e Th e Merc k

Veterinar y Manual , Handrearin g Mammal s (2011 ) ("mU k compositio n dat aar

e no t avaUabl e fo r

mos t species , an dsom

e o f th e pubUshe ddat a ar e o f dubiou s value . Lactos e content o f mU k varie s widel y between differen t species...") . Bottl e feedin g carrie s additiona l risk s a s i t can , lea dt

o .aspiratio n pneumoni ai f don e improperly . For.example , a s APHI S i s aware , th e G WExoti c Aniraal..Park (#73-0-0139 ) ha d 2 3 tige r cub s di e between Apri l 2009,an dMa y 2010 , !Ukel y due,to.th e faciUty' s inabiUt y t o properlj ^ prepare , store , or administe r

formula-t o cub s wh

p ha dbeen prematurel y separate d fro mthei r

dams . Thu§ , legitimat e conservatio n entitie s engage di n captiv e propagatio n o f bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman,priraate s fo r noncommercial purposes , pnl y separat e mother s an dinfant s whe n necessar y fo r th e healt h o f

th e infan t

or mother . , , „ , , , I n addition.t o th e copiou s evidenc3jthat^prematur e separatipn.negjatiyely.^ ^ short

an dlong-ter

m, welfar e o f

th e infant,. , i t

i s Ukel y tha t

.mothers also , suffe r

from,..s.uch prematur e separation . See , e.g'.,-,:!f^atberipi e A,,:Crpni n et

a\.., ^ Behavioral , ,Respons e of, a Chimpanze e Mothe r

Toward,HerJ^p^d^inf^V;t,^.f ^ Primatplogy : vol . 73 , 4i5,-;42 1 (2011 ) ("Th e mother-offsprin g bon di s arguabl y th e stronges t an dmos t

essentia l socia l bon d amon g mammals . Mother s pu t themselve s at . grea

t personal-ris k

t o protec t thei r offspring , whU e th e offspring' s attachmen t to tth e mothe r

form s acrucia l template fo r futur e socia l interactions.. . B y scrutinizin g th e behaviora l patterr i o f mother s foUowin g th e )death"o f thei r infants , researcher s ar e offere dinsigh t

int o th e natur e of th e materna l attachment...") ; Dbfa ' Bir p et al. . Chimpanze e ^Mother s a t Bossou , Guine aCarr y the Mummifie dRemain' s of'liiei f 'DeddInfants , Curr^^^

^ Biolog^'Vbi ! 20(8) , R35l'-k35 2 (2010) ("Th e irifant' s mbther

(Jife ) carrie dth e "cbfpse , mumriiifie di n th e week s follbwin g death , fo r a t leas t 2 7 days . She exhibite dexterisiv e caf e b f thi e bbdy,'grooiriirt g i t

regularly , Sharin g he r day

- an dnight-nest s wit h it , an dshbwiri g distres s wUenevbr'the y be'cairie separated . Th e carryin g o f

infants ' corpse s ha s been reporte dfromanumbe r o f priiri!at e species , bet

h i n captivit y an dth e Wil d- albei t usuaUy IriStirig ' afbw ' day S onl y - 'suggestin g a phylogeneti c continuit y fbr " abehavio r tha t i s poigri'an

t testain'eri t

to th e ClbSe mother-infan t bond...") . Se

e als o Declaratio n o f

Dr . TUso n a

t il 8 (''Pfeniatuifb' * separatibri irripact s th e mother a s wel l - pubUc contac t exhibitor s ma

y bree dafemal e tige r

a s man y a s thre e time s . per year , whic h woul dnever occu r i n thewUd . Science-base dknow:ledge o f . atiger' s reproductiv e natura l history , commb n sens e derive dfro myear s o f professiona l

3 2management o f ttigers

- in..ijAZA-accredite d. zoos, ! 'ari danod.i^ p ethica l an dmora l responsibUitie s t

o care.an dnurture:captiv e tiger s t o th e bes t

o f ou r abiUties , a

U indicat e tha t repetitiv e breedin g T -simila r t c swhat : occurs : i n .pupp y ImiU s ' i s detrimenta l t o th e mother.") ; Declaratio n lO f Dr.

- Richardso n at

116K"Rreriiatur

e separatio n can;aIs o negativel y impac t dams , wh o devote , significan t resource s t

o gestation/an dbirt h ET

- I hav e seeri i femal e cat s emi t ariiournful ca

U fo r week s afte r

bein g forcibl y Separate dfrom.thei r offsprin g .an dI hav e no doub t

tha t female s wh o los e thei r youn g experienc e asens e o f loss.") . The International

Primatolbgical

jSociety,: 'thei^world's '' pfeeminerit

organization of primatologists working .dn ithe. field and in laboratories,: specificaUy objects to , premature ;mother-infant

Separation:-'

A . i-; r

. *• - • . '/

•• t-r.. 1 s.'T

>. . -r. . Rearinjg andr.Weqning.of Inmates "To ensufe riorrii'al psychblogical developinenf; a Complex and stimulating '• . • fearirig erivifonriierit

faiiist 'be provided.'AUowing irifants tb'grow with their' ' ' ' ' mothers arid

iri a Social

group is necessary fof

noriri'al development. Infants should'riot

be separated

from'their nrital'gfbup'at an eafly age but

should remain with their

mother' uritU weanirig age which varies greatly between i species. Hand-rearing'shbuld ohly be carried

but'if the health of

the infant

(or mother) is in jeopardy; ' i;'>> ; c Iritefnatibria l PrimatblogicabSbciety;'Iriternatioria i GiudeUrie s fo r th e Acquisitibn , Caf

e an d !Brbedirig' ' ^!^=^

: t)f-'^ ' •^'•

[ Nbrihuriiari ! • ' •^

^ Primatbsf " p . "' • 2 1 ' ' (2007 ) http://'www.iriterriatibrialp'rimatoloa ^ GuideUne s fo f t h e Acquisitio n Car e ari dBreedin g b f Norihuriia:ri'Priiri'ate s Secon dEditior i 2007.pdf .

. •• -• ''• • •,:.'.rri :i. (r; • :^P-:-h''iM ; d; ^iJ.:'!..^'':: cJ • •' ''.. . Expert s raisirig;big;cat s i n captivit y als o recognize^jth e .sensiti'vitie s o f

new mothef

s an d recommen dtha t

mother s ari dinfant s b

e lef t alon e fof ; fou r

week s afte r

birt h t o ensure tha t th e mothe r

doe s not^reject

th e cub s due to stress : ; !'-r.! j •' • ! :;'i . i . - Newborn cub s ca n b

e observe dusin g a. vide o i f desired, , bu t

24:hour direc t observatio n is,Ukel y to be.disturbin g fp r th e femal e an d.therefor e detrimenta l

, t o th e weU-bein g o f

th e cubs . Ther e shoul dbe rio interferenc e wit h afemal e -an dcub s in,the^earfy , stagesj(0:28 . days) , a s wit h man y carnivore s thi s hais

, , . cause dth e ^death , p r .necessit y .fo r hand-rearing , o f

cubs. . . Cleanin g shoul dno t tak e pilace

^ i^ n th e cubbing , area^unti l th e youngster s are^movin g .pu t o f th e .birt h de n ,pn , their

- own , voUtipn ; again , sue i s .likel y t o b e detrimental . Staf

f canno t b e certai n tha t

th e mother

wil l no t har mth e cub s

. ;• - . ' "•. .'.f.-.: • J-^-. r . ' i • ••)••••: ••-• i :.v:-.' . i . untU the y are at

least.three . week s old . M . BUs h et/al. . Birth , Growth an dRearin g o f Tige r Cubs , i n Mandgemeht

an dConservatio n o f Captiv e Tigers•(EonsddTildoTidt al.,edsJ'(1994) : - •

- - - ' : - ' 3 3Thus , ensurin g that'mothe r 'and'infant ' bi g Cats , bears , arid; ^ norihuman primate s ar e no t prematurel y separate dis-a ' necessar y icomporieri

t bf minimu m• requirement s t o gover n human e handUng . ' —•,.••. ' •'. f v, . ' .v

. .LI-':

- '•••.' . - r

• 'i''•,••... : ' i-..i::,'. i .: \. • v;.,!"' ; • • • • t-' : , <

. - - ,,0 . Excessiv e HandUn g of Youn g an ^ Immatur e Animal s Althoug h curren t

regulation s techrijcaUy pfohibi t th e "roug h o r

excessiv e pubUc handUng " o f ybun g an dimmatur e anim!ais, ' b y hb t expUcitl y prohibitiri g a U direc t arid ' unsaf

e clos e pubUc " contac t

wit h bi g cats ! bears, ' ari drionhunian prima!tes'pf,"ari y age , the.regulatibn s actuaUy facUitat e haridUn g tha t i s haifirifu l t

o thes e aniriia!ls . 9 C.F.R . § 2.131 . Youn g an d iirimatur e bi g cats , bears , ari dnorihuman primate s prei|iaturel y separate dfro mthei r dam s ar e particularl y vulrierabl e an dthu s an y pubUc haridUrig'o f suc h animal s i s b y definitior i excessive . See , e.g. . Declaratio n o f Ron , TUson ; at, t l 1-12-("Big are;,bor n blind ; fragU e an dcjompletel

y dependent.o n it s mother' s care , warmitbLandtmU k to , survive,-i n fact , i n bot h wUd

- tiger s an dcaptiv e tigers , neonatal , raprtality i s highes t (abou t 30% ) durin g th e first

30

- 9 0 day s - whic h i s why legitimat e cbnservatiq n propagatio n program s aUq w dam s an dthei r cub s t o h e ,lef t undisturbed-.^fter

- birjt h t o aUo w the . mother

an d.offspring , t

o bon dan d estabUs h afeedin g routine . Indped y accredite dzoo s generall y d o no t eve n pu t amotherland cub s o n exhibi t

untU the cub s ar

e .atleas t

1 2 week s of

age , due to^the , potentia l impact s o f stres s and/or

accident s fro mexhibition.:.. . Bi g cat s nprmaUy slee p jU p t o 80 % of every . 24

- hou r day , bu t

pubh c handUn g severel y interrupt s thi s slee p cycle , causin g exhaustion , anxiety , irritabiUty , an dassociate dphysiologica l consequences ' tha t icompfbmise s thei r immun e system.") ; Declaratio n p f Els e Poulsp n at

11 7 (''An y pubUc handUn g o f abea r cu b i s by definitib n excessiv e an duridermirie s anima l . weUare.'') ; Ros s Club b & Georgi aJane Masori , Natura l Behavioura l Biolog y a s aRisk ' Facto r i n Carnivor e Welfare : Ho w Analysin g Specie s Difference s Coul dHel p ZoosJniprpve^hclosure ^ Applie dAnima l Behaviou r Scienc e Vol . 102(3-4) , 303-32 8 (2007 ) (naturall y wide-ran^n g Ufestyle s of carnivore s predic t relativel y hig h captiv e infan t riiortaiity rates) . ' A s discusse di n the-previou s subsections , irifan t animal s ar

e lUghl y desirabl e fo r

exhibitbrs , an dbi g ca

t cubs , bea

r cubs , an dbab y pririiate s are-frequentl y expose dt o lon g period s o f pubUc handUng'ir i orde i t o maximiz e profit:'Se e Appendi x A . Curren t regulation s aUo

w a Ucense e t o mak e asubjective'determinatio n about whethe r pubUc contac t

become s "roug h or excessive " suc h tha t

i t migh t b e detrimenta l t

o th e animal' s welfare ; however , an y pubUc handUn g o f

bi g cat , bear , or

norihuman primat e infant s pose s i athrea t t o th e animal' s welfar e an dthu s miis t b e prohibited . Thes e irifant s ar e inherentl y stresse db y bein g handle db y multipjl e people , b y crowdin g o f th e viewin g pubUc , an db y comingUn g wit h other animal s (fo r

exariiple , T.I.G!E.R.S . (#56-0-0116 ) i s know n t o aUo w juvenU e primate s t o bottl e fee dinfan t

bi g cats - se

e http://www!anianathechimp.com/) : ' Further , frequent

pubUc contac t

disrupt s th e animals ' slee p cycle , whic h increase s th e stres s fro mexhibition . I n addition , thermoregulatio n i s poorl y develope di n thes e infant s an dthe y nee dt

o b e monitore dcarefuU y t o preven t

overheatin g o r

chilUn g - subjectin g 3 4. thes e youn g ammal s to . frequjent publi c handUn g -is ; contrary t p thi s - gpal . " For , example , Dad e City's..Wil dThings.(#58-0,-0883 ) offers.th e publi c th e opportunity t o swi mwit h tige r cubs , advertisin g "30-minute swim s Tuesday s throug h Saturday s between 9 a.m . an d5 p.m. " Se e Tamp aBa y OnUne , Su;i mWit h Tiger s fo r

$20 0 a t Dad e Cit y Zo o (Aug . 26 , 2011) , a t http://www2.tbo.com/news/offbeat/20 1 l/aug/26/5/s"wim-with-tigers-fbr-200-at-dade-citv

zoo-ar-253162/ . Commercia l exhibitor s are unlikely , t o tur n awa

y payin g customer s t

o aUo w ' • " i • ' - 'V-'f ' ' . *- ' '..:.*5'-. ' ' ' - ,'*' • ;:T:':'' . ' ' ' •. ' ••..o'-'^-. " ." ' .. ' ' cub s t o rest , jneanin g tha t

afe w cub s mus t

mee t thi s demand, , aphysicall y exhaustin g tas k fo r thes e irifants . Ye t

unles s an inspecto r

wef e preseri t a U da y t o documen

t suc h repetitiv e ' ..•^ ';;•',. t^-"

•• ' • •' ;> rr\^ ,- M. '.'ice; ' r-r-'-^ '

• handUng, . i t

woul dbe . difficul t

t b cit e th e exhibitor , fo r aviolatio n o f

th e performanc e standard . Further , commercia l exhibitor s are . likel y t o chang e thei r

behavio r

i f the y kno w an APHI S inspecto r

i s present , makin g i t

eve n harde r

t o enforc e thi s regulation . Therefore;'tp^p f

event roug h 'a'nd ' excessive^haridUri g b f young'iari diiriiriatur e bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuiri'a

n pri'riiates , AiPHI S miis t set a'iriiriiriium ' fequifemerit'prohibitirig: : Ucensee s fromaUowirig-'riiembef

s ofthe ' pUbU

c to ' cpm b into ' boritact-with'svic h animals . 'Even " i f "th e undefl5riri g iriteritib n fo r increase dvisitdf-aniiria l iritefactibri'i s t b prorribt e th e efiipathy'ari d sens e o f corinectedftes s 'needed

- to - imprbve * attitudes"^'arid''^'behavior ' wit h respec t t o conservatiori...'fbrce dproxirnity't o o r coritac t with'huriiairis'car i b

e deleteriou s to''anima l weU-beirig. " Kathleet i N ; Mbfgari' & Chris t T ! Trbinbbrg,-Soiirce s o f Stres s i n Captivity , AppUe dAnima l Behaviour'Scie'ric e Vol . 102 , 2iS2-302^^^(^^^ ^ >

... ) D. , vTraveUng Exhibitio n WhUe som

e Ucensee s .aUb

w fo r pubU p interactio n an dphptographi c opportunitie s wit h bi g cats,.bears ! an i rionhumari primate s at thei r permarien t

.facUities , man y trave l aroun dth e couritry to offe r

pubh c handUn g o f

thes e animal s a

t shoppin g maUs , stat e fairs , an dother pubUc venues . APHI S regulatibn s provide , tha t 'JsbciaU y dependent

animal s (e.g. , sibUng , dam , an dother

member s o f

afamU y group ) must ! b

e aUowedvisua l an dolfactory contact " i n transport enclosures . 9 C.F.R . § 3.137(b) . However , b y riot expUcitl y prohibitin g pubUc contac t wit h bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primates , APHI S actuaUj'vfaciUtate s violation s ofthi s transport . regiUatipn . As,discusse dabove , thes e specie s are frequently prematurel y separate dfromthef

r mother s to b

e mad e avaUablpifo r

pubUc handUng , an dthu s the y frequently trave l withou t animal s the y are spciaUy-dependen t on , .;•. : ; i . I t i s exceedingl y difficul t fo r APHI S to trac k

th e transport

of these , ariimals , a s traveUn g menagerie s are no t

eve n reqiUre dto submi t itinerarie s o f

their,future,travel . Se

e Anima l Car e Inspectio n Guide , . 7Vat;e/in ^ Exhibitor , 6.6.1 4 , (2012) , http://www.apliis.usda.gov/anima l welfare/201 1 .Irispectio n Guide//6.16%20TraveUng%20 E xhibitor%20Inspectiori.pdf : 7 4 Fed . Reg . 5p'73 8 (Oct , 1, ' 2009 ) (propose drul e t o requir e

3 5traveUn g exhibitor s t o subini t itiriefafies-to'APHI S a t leas t two'day s i n advance).^ ^ A s •discusse dabove , becauSe

- traveUn g exhibitor s frequeritl y enter'th e jurisdictio n b f differen t inspectors , i t

i s difficul t

fo r APHI S to'prpv e aviolatio n of'th e handUn g regulation s wit h respec t t o traveUn g bi g cats , bears , or nonhuman primates . Further , b y traveUn g t o othe r states , Ucensee s ma

y b e abl e t

o circuriiven t

federa l law s prohibitin g interstat e commerc e i n thes e animal s an dacquire additiona l animal s fromunUcense dfaciUtie s whU e o n th e road . Se e 1 6 U.S.C . § § 3371(g) , 3372(a)(2)(C!),(e) ^ (feaptive..'Wiidlife . "Safet y Act , prohibitin g interstat e transport

of bi g cats) ; 1 6 U.S.C." " § 1538(a)(i)(E),'(F) (Endangere dSpecie s Act , prohibitin g interstat e sal e .andcommercia l .transpor t of Ustpd.species) . Stat e healt h certificate s pbtaine db y HSU S an dothe r source s (se

e Appendi x 0 ) documen t th e prevalen t

interstat e transport

o f youn g ari dimmatur e animal s withou t thei r dam s (on whoir i the y ar e sociaU y dependerit

) fo r us e forpubU c exhibitio n - fo r example :

, ' \ . *•..'». ' • . • • * I

- - ••,;. ' -|r . - i . . •>r- ' • . i: i • ? . ,.• > • . • " • - •'A'-Sept . 201 1 Gklahbrii' aCertificate " o: ^ Veterinar y Inspectio n wa s issue dt o Bet h ' - Corle y ((#73-0-0167 , .wh o work s wit h th e G.W . Exoti c Anima l Park ; #73-0-0139 , i n Oklahoma ) t

b brin g th e foUowing'animal s t b th e AmariU o Tr i Stat e Fai r (AmarUlo , TX) : 8 tiger s (rangin g i n af; e fro m2 wk s - - 2 4 wks),

- a'spide r

monkey (3yrs) , an d2 ringta U lemur s (age s 1 8 wk s an d3 yrs) ; ' ' ' . ••; •'• •. : ••• ' -.y. ^ ' . r : - •.

} t •• • • A n Oct . 201 1 OMahomaCertiScat e .of ,Veterinary Inspectioi i ya s issue dto , Bet h Corle y t o brin g th e foUpwin g .animal s t p Northgat e Ma U i?: . Ohio : 8 tiger s (rangin g i n ag e fro m2wks-28wks ) an d2 lemur s (age s 18.wk s and, 3 yrs ) . , . ,

• A n Apr U 201 1 Virgini aDepartmeri t of Agricultur e Ceirtificat e o f 'Veterinar y Inspectio n wa s issued.,t o Natura l Rridg e Zoo (Natura l Bridge , VA , #52-0-0035 ) to transport tw o 2-day-ol dlefnur s t o th e Catocti n WUdlif

e Preserv e (Thurmont , MD ) fo r purpose s o f

exhibitiori; ! - • • . , , ! '

' • Ai l Octobef

201 0 Missour i Departmeri t of Agricultur e 'Certificat e o f Veterinar y ' Inspectio n wa s issued ; t o WU dAriiriia l Safar i (Strafford , MO ) t o transpor t

a1 wee k oldUgert o T.I.G'.E.R.S . (#56-0-0 1 I'S ; Myrtl e Beach , SO) ; '

2 2 Afte r Petitioner s originally filedthi s petition , bu t befor e this'ameride dv'efsior

i wa s submitted , APHI S fmahzedthi s rul e to feq'iiir e itineraries ! effective'Januar y 30,'2013 . 7

7 Fed . Reg . 76809'(Dec . 21,.20l2) . . " x . • ) ' . . '•.. • •.(;' ," ' ' . r ' ; o '

> 2 3 Not e tha t these tw o healt h certificate s were

, issuedon

e mont h apart , ye

t i t i s unclea r i f they.cove r th e sam e tigers and'lemurs , a

s th e reporte dage s o f th e animal s hav

e no t al l bee n adjuste dupwards . Stat e healt h certificate s d

o no t provid e enoug h informatio n for

th e pubh c to adequatel

y monito r th e interstat e movemen

t o f a U big-cats , bears,-or'norihuma n primates , thu s underscorin g th e nee dfor APHI S t o tak e actioi i to prohibit

th e activit y for which these vulnerable , animal s ar e transported , i.e. , publi c interactio n an

dphot o shoots . 3 6• A July..201 0 Florid aDepartmen t o f Agriculture;Qffi^ ^ o f Veterinar y Inspectio n wa s issue dt

o Panthe r

Ridge . (XVelUngton , F.L) . t o transport

tw o 1-day-old

, jaguM8to.TUger.^prld.(#55-C-p225 i Sout h ,Oai»olin'a);-. . - . , ,;: . .;'•' ' - - •- . .- . •. 1- - -,, ' r; , . •]. . * '

. „ • A n Apr U 201 0 Florid aOertfficat e p f ^Veterinary , Inspectio n wa s issue dt o Josip Marca n t o ibrarispor

t t o Giiff Cioast Zb b (#fe4-C-0014 , Guii f

Shores , Alabama ) 3 tiger s • •' '.* ' I'

.1 .•

,' ''

} '

. ' ^ -^f- - ',-, '

-f'. --.-J.'

''.'.-t-

^'',*'/j.;;^

• . • ij '.: '" at 2 ;wk s o f ag e (fof mspecificaU y note s tha t animal s ar

e too , ybun g fo r

Rabie s vaccine , an issu e discusse dfurthe r belbw) . '' •••,;•': .1;' • .-^r.. '''.i''.:':

• r'^r'• • • •.. • • \--,- r Severa l studie s demonstrate ' tha t ever i shoft-tefrii-'tfarispbrtatib n prbfcedure s hav e a detrimenta l impac t

o n th e weU-bein g o f

large . carnivores . One study , foun dtha t Cortiso l level s increase da s riiuch a s '48 2 percent an dremaine delevate dfo r nearl y tw o week s foUowin g brie f

transport

peribds. . Other , factor s such,a s iricfease drespfratio n rate s an d pacin g wer

e als o "noted. iSe

e D P Dembiec , R J Snider , Ai l Zariella , TTi e effect s o f

transpor t stress.o n tiger.physiiolpgy.an die^ai;ior , Zo o Sjo / :23:335-4 6 (2004) ; I n tfaveUn g menagerie s suc h a s thos e tha t

jaUow . fo r

publi c contact , .animal s are repeatedl y exposed ; t o length y transport , cpnfinementito.arampe dtrave l cagesj,and,unfamUiar envfronments . Se

e als o Ro s Club b & GeoT^ aMason. , .Qaptivity Effect s on , Wide-Rangin g Carnivores , Natur e Vol . 425 , 47 3 (Oct . 2 , 2003 ) ("Among th e carnivores , naturall y widp'rangin g species , show.th e mos t evidenc e of

stres s and/or

psychological dysfunctio n i n captivity...husbandr y of thes e specie s ir i captivit y ' i s thefefor e ir i ' nee do f - improvenierit'^); ' 'Declaratio n o f Df . TUsbr

i a t H1 2 ("TrariSpbrtiri g ariimal s for!"exMbitior i pufpbses ' poses' ^ an dserious'healt h concern s fo r

bi g cats . Trave l cbriditiori s an dribisle' bftier i caii's e stress , anxiety , an ddiarrhe a i n bi g cats , especiaUy cubs , compromisin g thef r immup e system s an dmakin g the mmor e susceptibl e to,disease . Ther e i s probably.ri o othe r recb^iiize devent

tha t i s considere dmor

e dangerou s fo r

a,bi g ca t tha n beiri g trarisferre dfrbm aplace.o f famiUarit y t

o on e o f unknow n fairiiiUarity ! Bi g ca

t transfer s are weU recognize dwithi n th e professiona l car e fraternity a s on e of , i f not'th e most , leadin g caus e o f prematur e deat

h i n tigers.") ; Declaratio n o f Els e Poulse n a

t 1( 7 ("Bea r , cub s are ofte n transpprted-.s ^ faciUtat e pubUc contac t exhibitipn , and;-thi s deprives , cub s .pf , th e sleep , .exercise , .^n droutin e that-the y need . TraveUn g an dpubUc handUn g ar e ver^/-stressfu l for . abea r cub . Fo r

example , dail y an d seasona l slee

p cycle s are severel y disrupte dfo r trave l o r

performance . Bear s ar e diurna l an dsleep twic e aday , aschedul e tha t i s inconsisten t

wit h bein g awake durin g norma l busines s hour s fo r

pubUc contac t

exhibitors.") ; Steve n J . Schapfr o et al . Physiologica l an d Welfare Consequence s o f Transport , Relocation , an dAcclimatizatio n o f Chimpanzee s (Pa n troglodytes; , iAppUed^i|b U Beh^yipur , Scienc e Vol . 137 , 18^:19 3 "(2012 ) (findin g tha t "Tran^portatip n and-relocatio n o f chimpanzee s jresulte di n stQtisticaU y .significan t chiange s i n avariet y o f

hematological , cUnica l chemistry , an dceU-mediate dimmun e parameter s tha t af e likel y t o b e indicator s o f

cHarige s i n weffafe. " Som e o f thfese change s persiste dfo r 8

- 1 2 , week s .afte r

.arriva l '^t anew . Ipcatipn , an dth p , stuit^'s,.;author s suggeste dtha t "chimpanzee s (.nee

d.to be, provide diwith.isufficien t ^periods :afte r

relocatio n to properl y accUmatiz e t

o thef r fteW-€bnditions."X • . - • ' o - . : s

; - I 3 7 I

I I 

# 1 1Therefore , APHI S must , prohibi t pubUc . contac t

an dpremature'mother-infan t separatio n wit h respec t

t o bi g cats ; bears , an dnonhurii:a n primate s i n order

t o protec t anima l welfare .

. ,E . .Abusiv e 'Training . Declawing . an dD e Fangin g . . • , ,, , : ,-

, Th e us e o

f bi g cats ; bears , an d'norihuma n priiriate s fo r

pubUc contact!als o promote s practice s that'USD A otUefwis e condemns ! suc h a s abusiv e tfairiirig , declawing , an dde

fanging,i n afutil e effort , t o mak e these , inherently.. . dangerou s animals , saf e for pubUc interaction . , Unles s public , contact,,with , bi g cats,,,bears,!,an d.nonhuman .primate s i s ^expUcitly prohibited , thes e practice s are likel y t o continue , ^ye. n th e potentia l commercia l gai n fro msuc h exhibition. . , i , • . , ^ • . , . . . APHI S regulation s prbhibi t handUn g an y anima l ir i amanrier tha t cause s trauma , behaviora l stress , physica l harrii , o r urinebessar

y "dlscoriifort. ' 9 C.F.R . § 2.131(b)(1) . Hbwevef , by aUowiri g darigefoii s " ariimal s to h e su'bjected't o pubUc haridUng, ' APHI S actuaUy facUitate s violation s o f this ' regula'tiori, ' as ' daftgefbu s animal s ar e ofte n abusivel y traine di n order

t o achiev e astate o f

submissio n that , reduce s th e .anim.ar s natura l aggressio n an dsuppresse s other species-ts^icai l behaviors . See , e.g. . Associatio n of Zoo s an d Aquariums , Whit

e Paper : .Ape s ' in r

Medi a' ' an dCommercia l Performances , a t http://www.aza.Org/white-pa:pe r ayjes-in-media--arid-commercial-perfbrriiances/ (findin g tha t "handler s o f

ape performers , often>'must us e foo ddeprivation , physica l abuse , cbritinuou s tranquUization , o

r even electri c shock

t o maintai n control.-AdditionaU y , th e ariimal s ma y be modifie dt

o reduc e thef

r abUity"to ! cause-harm , fo r > exaitipl e b y Tenibvin g thef r teeth.") ; Declaratio n of

Els e Poulse n at'U S :("A'hand-reare dbea r a t aroadsid e zoo

- bf'tfaveUn g menageri e i s fa r

les s Ukel y ito . hav e e-scposuir e t o bther bear s tolear u socia l cues , whic h riiay resul t i n abusiv e trainin g technique s in^'^an-attemp t t o cur b bitin g and ' scratching.") . SimUarly , bi g cats , bears , an dnonhum.'iln' : primate s ma y b e subjecte d't

o declawin g an dde

fangin g i n amisguide d(an d•un k wfii!i)'iattemp t

t o mak e thes e aniriial s 'safe " fo r pubh c contac t even a s the y mature; - >

' . . ' > ' • APHI S poUc

y provide s tha t

"Declawin g pf

wU dan dexoti c carnivore s an dth e remova l p r reductio n of

canin e teet

h i n nonhuman primate s an dwU dan dexoti c carnivore s hav e been use di n th e pas t

i n an attemp t

t o minimiz e danger s presente ddurin g huma n interactio n wit h thes e species . Thes e procedure s are,,no t innocuou s an dcan , caus e ongoin g pain , discomfort , or

other pathologica l condition s i n th e animals . I n addition , the y d o no t preven t predator y behaviors , safeguar dthe,genera l pubUc , o r preven t biting , i n nonhuma n primate s an dcarnivores . Th e declawin g o f an y wU do r

exotic . carnivor e doe s np t constitut e appropriat e veteririarj' ^ care^.-.The remova l o f th e canin e teet

h of anonhuman primate , or wil dor exoti c carmvore , unles s for th e immediat e medica l need s o f th e anima l doe s no t cpnstitut e appropriat e veterinar y care. " Anima l Car e PoUcy Manual , RoUc y #. 3 (Marc h 25 , 2011) . availabl e a

t http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal welfare/poUcv.php?policy=3 . 3 8 

# 11 "5^

5 Th e American-Veterinar y Medical . Asspciation . (AVMA).:als o ''opposes : declawin g captiv e exoti c an dother.,, . wUd ; .indigenous . ^ ,cats . :^fp r ^ npnmedi^^^^

^ Se

e http://www.avma.org/issues/poUcy/animal welfare/declawin g exotic.asp . Th e AVM A i s simUarly opposedt

o remova l o f

cariin e tee't

h iri-Captive'rionhumari primate s br exoti c an d wU d(indigenous ) carnivores , excep t "whe n require dfo r

medical-treatmen t

or .scientifi c

- research . Se

e http://www.avma.org/issues/pblicv/anima l welfare/teeth . removal.asp . . , .„ Fo r exairiple, ; tw o Ucense dbxhibitbr s 'wh o ar e kribw n 't

o aUo w fo r pUbU c inte f actio n wit h bi g cat s wer e recentl y cite dfo r

declawin g tigers . Stump HU l Fariri'(#31-C-()050 ) was'fecentl y cite dfor'declawiri g a'jUvenUe tigef ; Tige r Ridg e Exotic s (#3i-^G-0d48) l wa s also ' cit'ed

^ fo r declawin g a5-month-ol dtige r fo r non-medical reasons . Othe r Ucensee s ma

y circumven t thes e prohibition s b y acquirin g animal s wh o are.. . alread y .defange do r declawe. dfrom unUcense dand-unregvUate djjrivat e owners , Therefore , APHI S mus t expUcitl y prohibi t pubUc handUn g o f

bi g cats , bears , . an dnpnhuman priinate s a s ,a=mi mrequij:.emen

t ..t o disincentiyiz e pther

behavipr s that^r e . ^ , ,

' • F! ; Disbas e Transfe r t b Exhibite dAnimal s ' " ' • ^ ' ' : ' • Whe n wU danimal s suc h a s bi g cats , .bears , ari dnonhuman.primate s are subjecte dt o pubUc handUngn(whether

physica l .contac t

pr , unsaf

e . closethe y are pu t a t ris k o f cpntracjtin g diseases:PubUc..Contac t exhibitio n exp.pse3i.animal s t o peopl e fromdivers e Iccatipn S Ayh

p ma y hav e sic k

Companio n animals,a t

hbme , iriay b

e sic k themselves , or

may hav e com

e intp,cpntacttwiti h pathpgen s whUeiwalking . throug h wUdlif e area s frequente db y •infecte. d'anin^a;l s an d;ca n easU y transmit . pathpgenK'bac;iieria,.vfruses , an dparasite s t o th e exhibite d• animals.. : Big-.cats , bears , ran diionIxum..^n'primate s use di n pubh c handUn g exhibit s are . riipre Uksl y t o ..hav e increase dstres s level s .(eithe r becaus e the y ar

e infant s preinaturely/'Separate d..;fr.o.m-thef r mother s i.ani^jorjibecause ; the y hav e recentl y been transported).^ ; Thus , ;thes e animal s are predisposedvtolbfitr.rigUrifected . Se e Declaratio n o f

Dr . Richardso n at

U S ("Whe n infan t bi g cats , bears , o r

primates-.are preiriaturel y separate d fromthef

r dam s i t result s i n aweakene dimmun e system , i n par t becaus e thes e infant s often'd o not'receiv e proper nutritio n whe n "deprive db f thef r mothers ' mUk . Thes e hand

reare danimal s hav e further-weakene dimiririn e systerri s wheri the y are deprive dof sufficien t

res t an dexercise't

b make thei n rivaUable fo r pubUc handUrig . Whe n thes e youri g animal s with , cpmprpiriise dimmunity-ar e handle db y tli e public , the y are particularl y susceptibl e t

p contra'ctin g diseases."); ' Declafa'tiori o f Dr . TUsbr

i at 11 9 ("Hand-reare dcub s typicaU y weig h less'than'mother-reared'cubs , and-'ofteri Suffe r digestiv e issue s from formula-feedin g an dunhygienic ' enVfroriments , potentiaUy'feisiUtin g i n infection . i t appear s that'mari y 'substaridaf dexhibitbr s aUo

w member s o f

th e pubh c t

b bottle-fee dtige r cub s whU

e holding ' them'-'iri'ari ' imprope r an dunsaf

e pbSitiori'tha t

iricrease s charibe s o f aspfratibi i an ddeath . AdditioriaUy , thes e pubUc-feeder s -seldbmhav e acces s t b washin g basins , d o no t wba r prope r clothing'o r

hand-glbves , a'f

e 'no t screerie dt

o se e i f the y are sick .

3 9coughin g or exuding , mucu s from' cold s ''and'viruses,: , thu s creating-ar i unhygieni c environmen t

tha t endanger s th e cub specificaUy.'') . , ; > ' • . . -•' ; : •'••')''>. i^'.;.;-.:. • .-.••',• "'•''••.,' : ^ r . ,. Ofte n bot h humans^an danimal s ac t a s asymptomati c carrier s of disease . Thi s means , bpt h human s an danimal s can .activel y she d.contagiou s organism s withou t .pve r .shpwing clinica l sign s of iUness , or

eve r even contractin g th e disease ; thi s pose s tremendou s healt h risk s t o animal s a s we

U a s risk s t

o human s (as discusse dfurthe r below) . Man y pathogeni c •organism s ca

n adher e io.half , skin , clothing , shoes,'an denvironmenta l surface s ^an dcan remai n infectiou s fo r

ver y lon g period s o f

time . Man y organisms ; ar aafr-born e an ddisease s ca n b e sprea dwhe n pathbgen s .ar e aerpso'!!ize

dsuc h as : occur s wit h sneezin g or . coughing . Whe n human s an danimak'arc'i n projdmity'th e ris k o f diseas e transfe r

i s increased.^' * Suc h contagiou s disease s ima y .te : transmitte db y handlers , th e pubUe , th e environment , an d through; direct

of indirect contact vvith other

animals. '

I ; - • ! ^... '.; ^ Fo r example , i t

i s weU.estabUshe dtha t chimpanzee s .ar

e susceptibl e t

p hurrian respirator}' ^ iUnesses , whic h can b

e fata l t o thes e animal s an dcontracte dthroug h indirec t contact . See , e.g. , Sophi e Kondge n et al . , Pandernic . Hurnan^ Viruse s Clause Declin e o f Endqrigere dGrea

t Apes , Curren t

Biology , vol . 1.8

, 260-26 4 (Feb . 26 , 2008 ) (Chimp s ar e susceptibl e t

o infectio n fro mhuma n respiratory syncytia l viru s .(,RS"V ) an dpneumpn^.a, . which , ar e commo n cause s o f respiratory disease s i n people , especiaU y chUdren , and

i are transmitte dfromhuman s i n respiratory secretion s an de\'e: x swep,:b) ; Willia mMuUeri , Human'Viru s Blame dfo r Death o f Chim p a t Lincol n Par k

Zoo , Chicag o Tribun e .(April'4 , 2009 ) ( 9 yr-ol dmale , chim

p die dfrom huma n metapneumovirus , v/hiC h cauise s pneumonia , .brfanchiti s ari dfiuUke Ulplesses);.':S.C . Nielse n e

t al. . Probabl e Transmission-o f Coxsacki e BSr¥iru s Fko mHiimari ' t o Chimpanzee , J . Emergin g Infectiou s DiseasesrVpl : .18(.7).,Li^^^^ ^ (Jul y 20l2)L(analyzin g th e deat h o f a chimpanze e from acommon humairipathogen,-;likel y transmitted

- through'"olps e ^contact ' wit h azo

o employee sinc e thbcpubUciiwas . sepafated''fro mth e "chimpanzee s by . a;4-meter

hig h glas s waU) . Se

e a/so.Haftw.igjP.iHuemer.e t al.,rFato /

Infectio n o f

aPet Monke y wit h Huma n Herpesviru s 1 , Emergin g Infectiou s Diseases , Vol . 8 , No . 6 (Jun e 2002 ) (evidenc e tha t ahuma n herpe s vfrus\!HHy'-l ) cari'caus e fataUtie S iri'Ne w Worl dnibnkeys) . AdditionaUy , bi g cats , bears ; and . som e primat e specie s ar

e .know n t

o suffe r fro mcanin e distempe r

(CDV) ; whic h couldrb e transferred.froiri.a.persbn'With andnfecte ddb g at-hom e or from\someon e wh o cam e int o contac t

with. , excret afro minfecte dwUdUfe',. . suc h a s raccoon s ari dskunks , who often.frequen t residentia l neighborhoods..:See,Ve.^. / S;''Cleavelan det

al. , The conservatio n relevanc e of . epidemiologica l researc h int o cdrnivove'vira l disease s i n th e Serengeti , Conse i vatiori Biolog y Vol . 21(3) , 612-62 2 (2007) ; Max . J ! G . Appe l e t al. , Canin e Distemper

Epizooti c i n Lions , Tigers , an dLeopard s i n Nort h America , J . Ve t Diagn . Invest . 2 ^ Thus, ^ for example , recognizin

g th e potentia l for disease transmission , th

e Intef nationa l Unio n for Conseryatio

n o f Natur e an dNatiu-a l Resoiu*cef

i recommend

s aminimu

mdistarip e pf>3 3 fee t betw^ee n visitor s an

dwU dgrea t ape s (o r 2 2 fee t i f toviristp wea

r asurgica

l mask) . ,EUzabet

h J . Macfi e & EUzabet h A , WUhamsbri , lUC N Guideline s fo r Bes t Practic e i n Grea

t Ap e 'Tourism , Sectio

n 5.5.1 3 (20l0) , http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/8sc'-op-038.pdf . 4 0Vol . 6 , 277-28 8 (1994); , Envfronmen t <New s Service ; TworWil dAmurrTige r Death s Clu e t

o Distempe r

; Outbrea

k (Octobe

r 3 ! .-'k-2011). : 'i . availablei.^r.uat , . http://www.ens

newswire.com/ens/oct2011/2011-10-03-02.htm l (reportin g geneti c confirmatio n o f th e fac t tha t caniri e distempe r

i s iiripactirig"wU dtigers) ; Deriis e L . 'Myer S e t 'al: , IJis^emper.

- No /

aNe w Diseas e i n Lion s an dTigers , CUriica l And'Diagrib^ti c Labofatof y Imrriunology , p.^'^^

^ (Mar.'1957)!' ! " - ' ' ' ' ''\^ ^ ' \^- ^ '''-'-' ^ ' r - ^-rrr-r ^ .. . , r . Afte r rabies , {CDV : cause s th e secon dhighes t fataUt y rat e i n doniesti c dog s o f an y infectiou s diseas e an dha s been reporte d.i n a U famiUe s o f

terrestria l carnivores . Sharo n Deerr i et al . Canin e Distemper

in

- Terrestria l Carnivores : A Review , Journal.p f Zoo an dWUdUf

e Medicin e 31(4) : 441-45 1 (2000) . (during , a199 2 eanine.distempe r epidemi e among'7. 4 captiv e bi g cats , infectio n wa s confirmedirifAfrica n Uoris , tigers,lleopards^rand-jaguar s with, a2 3 percen t mortaUt y rate) . I n additio n t

o CD V bein g ahighl y rcontagious.an dprevalen t deadly;diseas e i n dogs , there hav e been recent CD V infection s reporte damon g wU dfo x population s i n SoUth"CafoUria , 'Oregbri:'a'n dCaUfofnia ! a s wel l as'cbrifiririe db r suspecte dcase s iri'rafccbbri s ir i South • Carolina ^ Vfrgiriia; ' Washirigtori , Missburi i Wisconsiri , Flbrida ! an dTexas! ' Se e Associate dPfe^s ; Canin e Distempe r 'Outb'redi i Confirme dir i Orego n Gray Foxe s (May 17 , 2012) , i

' ' ^ - ' - - - http://www.bregbnUv"e.coni/pacific-northwest

news/iridex.8sf'/2bi2/05/canirie " diytb'mpb r oiktbrea k conf.iitml. ^ ; • * .- • •,.:>..,;; ' " n'.t';. ! ' ' K 'u-. s .: • ' • r;.r><C'i-- i .\iu ' ... . :'. : Fd: ' Bi g cat s use din ' traveUri g show s are ; at , great'ef 'risk;:of'exposure , t

o CDV . Se

e Suzann e Kennedy.-Stoskppf,*.£/nfer^n,^'Vira/://i/eG/ion.srin../£ ^ Zoo an dWU dAnima l Medicine . (ME

Fowler .& RE, MUler, t

eds;),'pp: 401-10r(;i999); LizFlynn, White Tiger Christmd^ ^ ) a

t • • • • . McCarth y '

, Wildlife,; : :,

y Sahetij^rT^

- iMMPT V (Dec . 21 , 2011) , http://www.wpty;coni/dpp/neWs/regib n citpaJ-ni " beac h dountv/wes t pal mbeach/a-white

tiger-christmas-atrriiccarthv-wUdUfe-sanctuary(documentin g th e deat h o f a ' tige r from canin e distemper : at

.th e .'McCarthy , "WUdUferSanctaaiy,'#5870-0423 , aUcensee knpw n t P aUo w fo r pubUc contac t

with\dangerous'animals, : asIdiscussadfufthe r below) : n •'

• ' ' i '' . ; ' ..->. - •'•; : r f rv.;.: ' •;>.i:5;•'•;( ! •^.; ' • : CD V antibodie s hav e als o been-foun di n polar bear s in , Canada,,.Grizzl y bear s i n Alaska , and black bears in Florida. Marc R. L. CJattet et al.. Antibodies to Canine Distemper and Phocin e Distemper

Viruse s in.Polarl.Bear s fro mthe Canadia n Arctic ; Jpufnal.'o f WUdlif e Diseases, 40(2),; pp. 338-^-342 ([2004); B.B.> Chomell et sl.i' Serological

Survey of

Selected Canine Viral

Pathogens and

Zoonoses in Grizzly 'Bears ;(Ursu3 arctos'horrihUis) and Black Bear s (Ursxis.aiiieTicaiius X fro mAlaska,iRev : sci. . tech . .Off. ' int.'Epiz'Vol . 1 7 (3), . 756-76 6 (1998); Mike jR. Dunbar

et al., Seroprevalenc& of

Selected Disease Agents front

Free-ranging Blac k Bear s inlFlorida ; Jburna l o f WUdlif e Diseases , Vol . 34(3) , 612-61 9 (1998) . , V

.„'!: .-. /• (. . •

-'I- ' .•,<:••' ., r, •

;T \ " ... CD V i s also : know n t

o infec t nonhuman primates : a198 9 CDY.butbrea k wa s reporte d amon g 2 2 (.Japanes e monkeys; . ;1 2 o f 2 0 C D V-infected.Rhesus : macaque s die dfoUowin g .an outbrea k whUe^unde

r quarantin e at

afaciUt y i n Chin ai n 2008 ; an d4,25 0 o f approximatel y 10,000 Rhes'ii s monkey s wh o contracted'CD V die dir i 200 6 a t abreedin g faciUt y i n China . Zhaozeng Suri et

al.. Natural

infection with canirie distemper^virus in. hand-feeding.Rhesus 4 1monkey s i n C/iina,' ; Veterinar y Micrbbiolog y ';"Vo k 141 , 374^378 1 > (2010) ; We i Qi u et al. . Canin e Distemper

Outbrea k i n Rhesu s Monkeys , China , !Emergin g Infectiou s Disease s Vol . 17 , No . 8 (Augus t

2011) . - ^ W-' ' • . c;:'.'! ' •::.• . . ' :; : •' : • .. . •'..-- , . '. . Expert s recogniz e the^ris k pf disease , thes e animai s fac e whe n the y ar e subjecte dt

o pubh c handling . See , e.^. , peclaratio.n.o f Dr . Richardso n a

t 11 8 ("feUn e distempe r

.viru s ca n Uv

e o n clothing , fo r

1 8 hour s an damembe r of th e pubh c wit h an infecte dhouseca t coul deasU

y transmi t thi s diseas e whil e holdin g atige r cub.") ; Dpclaratip n o f

Dr . TUson; , Declaratio n o f Els e Poulsen . Fo r

example , ove

r t^yent y veterinarian s hav e signed,o n t p astatemen t

o f concer n regardin g this , risk , findiiig.that clo.s e huma n contact , with , youn g wU dfelid s pose s risk s t o the health of

th e aninial , especiall y since.''hand-rea f e dfeU ^ pfte n receiv e inadequate nutritio n which) further,compromise s .their healt h an dv/eaken s thei r immunity .

.. . Placin g thes e immunplogicaU y incpmpetent cub s i n intens e public,setting s significantl y increase s morbidity an dmprtaUty , .. . [T]bes e youn g ammal s ar e exceptipnaUy.susceptibl e t o stres s an ddisease.. . Therefore. , there i s n o ag e appropriat e fo r

th e us e o f

wU dfeUd s i n anv settin g wher

e direc t huma n contac t

i s possible. " Ki mHaddad , i?is^ s Associate dwit h Handlin g Juvenil e Non-Domesti c Felids , Captiv e Wil dAninia l Project-.Carnpaig n (CWAPC ) Staternen t o f Concer n (emphasi s added) . Therefore , APHI S mus t prolUbit : direc t

pubh c contac t

an dunsaf

e close'pubU c contac t

(e.g. v aUowin g th e pubU

c withi n 1 5 fee t

whe n there i s rib permanent , barrie r t o protec t th e anima l an dth e pubhc ) wit h bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primates . . ir . • . . • G . Ris k of Physica l In i urv.tofPubUc.Dvirk g HandUn g ! • v . f l i PubU c handUn g of,bi g cats , hears,,.ai: dnonhuman ag e ppse s arisk

o f physica l injur y t

o th e pubh c (e.g.,/^asitpr s .j p rpadsid e zoos , patron s o f traveUn g exhibit s a

t shoppin g maU s an dfafrs , ,an duntraine dindividual s presen t on , th e set

of exhibitio n fo r medi apnrposes) . Further , suchyexhiMtio n contribute s t o the.epidemi c o f

dangerou s animal s Uvin g i n backyard s an dw£.rehpused , in , inadequate faciUties , a s suc h animal s ar e frequently dispose do f

pnce the y ar

e no lpnger,,profitable, v posin g along-ter mris k t o pubUc safety . WhU e pubUc contac t

wit h bi g cat s ove

r th e ag e o f 1 2 week s i s "discouragedb y APHIS , a s discusse dabove , suc h cbritact^freciuenti y bccU f s (S6 e Appendi x K) , puttin g Visitor s t o USDA

Ucensedexhibition s a t

ris k of bites , scratches , seriou s bodU y injiifies , 'ari deve n death . I n one'exfrem e exairiple.' aKansa s teenagef wa s kiUe dwhU

e posin g for

a'photograp h wit h a tige r bein g restraine dby'it s riandler a t an anima l facility . C . Siemaszko, ' Tige r kill' s Kansa s teen : maule dwhil e posin g fo r pic . Ne w Yofk'DaU y New s (Augus t 20 , 2005) . AltUbug h APHI S determine dtha t suc h handUn g violate dth e regulatory requiremeri t o f sufficien t distanc e an dbarriers , withou t aclear rul e expUcitl y prohibitin g .physica l . contac t an d unsaf e clos e contac t

(e.g. , aUowin g th e pubh c t o com e withi n 1 5 fee t

o f th e lanima l withou t

a permanen t

barrie r t o separate them) wit h dangerou s animal s suc h a s bi g cat s and , bear s anothe r suc h inciden t

i s likely.t o occur,,i)erhap s wit h ayounger ca t or bea r wh o i s np t

a s 4 2I , •- '

obviously darigerpus. Further, ;as recently recognized by an administrative law judge; "even cubs can harm the.pubUc";through bit«s and-scratches.:./n, re.Crai^'Ai'Perry (d/b/a/ Perry's Wilderness Ranch <& Zoo), AWA Docket No. 05-0026, 2012 WL 1563490(March 29, 2012). SimUarly, sirice pubUc contact is currently aUowed

with "trained"

primates of

any age, APHIS regulatibns do not

adequaitely pfotect

the pubUc frbm the risk of attack by these powerful ariimials! See d/so'"Declaration bf Dr? 'TUson at'

1114 (""Wgef

teeth and

claw's afe incredibly sharp'from the nibment they eriipt, arPiind

seVbri weeks of

age. Having handreared tigers' myself (when truly necessary for the' healtli and'

wellbeing of

the infarit); 1 know that

yburig tigers are often uriComfortable with beirig handled, as observed by the animal s'q'ufrmirig and

trjUrig to'get

kway by biting;'scrEltcKirig'; defecating, urinating, arid squeaUng.'

Thus, allowing pubU'c'Cbntact with bveri'yourig cubs poises a risk to pubUC

safety, especiaUy for

yoiing chUdren:"); Declaration of ElseTbulsbri at

f B'C'PubUc handUng bf

even irifant bear'cubs is unsafe. ''Beair cubs bite riaturaUy, and leafri 'ribt

to from parerits or siblings whb jbite'back! Further, bear claws do not

fetf act arid even'a young cub can cause substaritial

i'rijury to humansVespeeiaily-yburig'ci^ . • H , Zoonotic'Diseas e Transfe r to PubU c v • -'.y' ' ' ' ; • ; •• ' PubU c handUn g o f

bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuma n primate s als o pose s aris k o f diseas e t

o th e viewin g pubUc, i whethe r •visitor s engage.i n dfrec t physica l contac t

or af e aUowedwithi n an , unsaf e diistanc e o f

;the : anima l to facUitate'activitie s .suc h a s photographi c or feedin g opportunities . . - • r : ; c r , ; ..!• ! ; r ,o.';v;: : Animal s subjec t

t o stres s fromtransport ; jprerriatifrsife e fromthei r mothers , and/o r frequent contact with humans are more likely to shed pathogens, increasing the risk of human iUriess'^'from haridUng. See Kiiri'""Hadd'a'(i^' Rtkks Associated

with Handling Juvenile Non-Dornestic"Felids, Captive Wild Animal Pfpfebf Ca (CWAPC) Statement of Concern . Bit e an dscfatc h wound s cari resul t iri ' ba'Ctefial ihfections , ringwor mcati be contracte db y handUrig , an dchUdre n ma y becom e sick'virit h sUch iUriesses ' a s "E . coU , Toxoplasmosis , Staphylococcus , an dStreptbcbccu s b y puttin g th'bir i&ri^ers'i n thef

r riiouths afte r pettin g th e aniinals . Se e Declaraitio n o f

Dr . Richardsbn'a t

1} l O ("Th

e threat s t

b pubh c safety fro mhandUn g o f

bi g cats ; bears , an dnorihuman primate s o f an v ag e are significant . Fo r example,,when , bi g cat^cub s ar e permitt^^;^' ^ be.handled, , ,bitp s or scratche s tha t

are Ukel y t o occu r cp};| dcaus e .infection., I hav e als o see n case. s where ringwprman dparasite s hav e been transmitte( ^ ,t»^,^uman s fr.om, bi g ca t cub s durin g th e cours e p f pubUc handling , Bear,,cub s frequently,haye,.roundwprms , which , huma n chUdre n are particularl y susceptibl e t o due t p hand-to-mout

h contact . .Sinc e bea

r claw s are no t

retractable , thes e animal s pos e a pubUc ; safety fisk,e.ye n a t very.:^oung ages.") . .'; . . !.,: . .j . "Tii e Natibria l Assb'ciatio n ' o f Stat e PubUb Health " Veteririafiari s (NASPHV ) i s an organizatio n •'of

loca l an dstat e pirbfessiorial S wh o regvdafly; ' consul t wit h physicians , emefgenc y rboriis , " legislators , loca l officials ; schbbis' , healt h departments , an dth e genera l pubUc on'preventing'exposure s t o an dcontrolUn g 'd!isease s tlia t human s can ' ge

t from

, : 4 3animal s an danima l products. ; NASPHV ; specificaU y recommends , tha t ''Becaus e o f

thef r strength , unpredictabiUty,'ivenom' , or the . pathogen s tha t

the y might-carry , certai n domestic , exotic , or

wU danimal s shoul db e prohibite di n exhibi t setting s where areasonabl e possibUitv of

anirria l contac t

exists : Species'o f

pfimaf'v^ Cbricerr

i include'rionhunia n primate s (e!g. ; hibnkev s and'ape^)and'ceftairi''cafriiv'bfb s (e.g. . lions , tigers , ocelots , wolve s an dwol f hvbfids ! ari dbeafs). " Se e The'Natibrial'Associatio n o f Stat e Publi c Healt h Veterinarians , Compendiur

h o f Measure s t

o Prevent Diseas e Associate' dwit h Animal s 'i n Publi c Settings , CD C Morbidit y an dMortaUty Weekl y Report , Vol ! 60(4) (May fe, 2011 ) (emijhasi s added) ; I n suppor t ofthi s recommendation , NASPH V has-fouri dthe-follcwing : •

. , • . EUminatin g p

U risk.^rbi n anima l contact s is,n.ot ^ . , ,

- .^ ^ . .

' Multipl e factors'iriCrbase'th e pfobabUity ofdiseaS e tfansmissipr i at aniiria l exhibits . Animal s ar

e mor e Ukel y t o she dpathogen s becaus e o f Stres s induce di>

y pfolonge d transportation , confinement , crowding , an dincreased : handUng . CommingUn g increase s th e prbbabUit

y tha t aniriial s sheddin g pathogen s wil l infec t othe r animals . Th e prevalenc e of

certairi eriteri c pathogen s i s ofte n Mghe r in'youn g animals , whic h ar e frequently use dir i pettiri g zoos . ~ ' ' '

• ChUdre n ar

e particUlafij ^ a

t risk becaus e o f

ha ^

• Temporar

y anima l exhibit s are particularl y vulrierabl e t o desig n flaw s tha t

increas e th e ris k of diseas e trarismisoiOf, . Suc h f exhibit s iriclud e animal : display s o r pettiri g zoo s adde dt

o attrac t visitor s to'aoos , festivals , arid'rbadsid e attractioris.'-'i ' ' - ; ? . • '^ " .

• Injurie s associate d\with . ammalS'.in,,p,ubli c ..setting s includ e .bites,,.kicks,, . falls , scratches , stings,crushing,;,off,th e .hand s or-feet , an dbein g pinne dbetween.th e anima l an da'fixed-object . ,'rhes e ;inju ^ hav e been associate dwit h bi g cat s (e.g. , ' tigers) , monkeys , an dother domestic , wild , an dzo

o animals . Setting s hav e include d

, ^ . pubh c stables , pettin g ,zpps , traveUn g phot o opportunities , schools , chUdren' s parties , do g parks , an danimal.rides . . . •

• Multipl e rabie s expbsure s hav e occurre dwit h animal s i n pUbU c exhibition , requirin g extensiv e pubU

b health ' irivestigatior i ari d"medica l foUow-up . Fo r

example , people hav e receive drabie s post-exposur e prophylaxi s (PEP ) afte r bein g expose dt

o rabi do r potentiaU y rabi danimals , includin g bears . Substantia l pubUc healt h an dmedica l car e chaUenge s associate dwit h potentia l mas s rabie s expbsure s includ e difficult y i n identifyin g ari dcontactin g person s potentiaU y at-'risk;'cbffectl y assessin g exposure '

4 4risks, : an dprovidin g timel y medica l prophyraxi&Awhe n indicated; ; Promp t assessmen t an dtreatment;ar e critical!t o preven t thi s disease , whic h i s usuaU y fatal.2 5 i * . • ' • . Multii)le r

bacterial , .vfr^al , fungal , and . parasitic;!infection s hav e bee n associate d\yit h

. . anima l .contact , an dth e infectin g organism s ar e transmitte d.thrbug h varioii s mpdes . Irifection s froiri animalh i o r hpspitaUzation.. . Bac|«ria l pathogens , associate dwit h anima l bite s includ e Pasteurell q species , Francisell atularensis,- . Staphylococcu s species , Streptococcu s species , Capnocytophag acanimorsus , Bartonell ahensela e (cat-scratc h disease) , an d Streptobacillu s moTii'/i/brmi s (rat-Mt e fever). ' Certairi'"monkey j specie s (eSpeciaU y macaques ) tha t

ar e kep t

a s pet s o r

used , i n pubU c exhibit s ca n b e infecte dwit h simia n herpe s B vfrus t infecte driiorikeys' ar b 'oftb n asyiriptbrriati c o r hav e haUdora l le.sipris„ye t

huma n exposur e throug h monke y .bites.p r bpdUyjfluids^c arpsul t i n fata l rnenirigoencephalitis. . , ,, , „ ,^r . . , > ; i ;r; i j rhhr-.rl

'y^'.rr--

i c r;,'^v^cr

" t'':

r!

' ' '

. » Transmissio n o f po x vfruse s i n pubUc . settin g als o ha s bee n described . I n th e 1970s , afte r handlin g variou s specie s p f .infecte d^exotic , animals , azo o attendan t experience da n extensiv e papiUa r ski n ras h fro macowppx-Uk e virus . Th e America n Veterinar y Medica l Associatio n ha s als o recognize dth e pubU c healt h risk s an dwelfar e impact s o f keepin g dangerou s animal s i n substandar dfacUities . Se e AVM A PoUc^ , r; I .: j ,'-:I?rivate ; ; > - a. .Ownershi p < i b f 'aii.j;; ; WU dAnimals , http://www.avma.org/issues/pbUcv/wUdr'animal . pwnerahip.asp . Further , a recen tstudy confirm s that"a

n exoti c anima l i ma

y harbour. ; a . raftr;p

f p.ptentiaU

y infective microbp

s an d macroparasites makin g an y anima l a possible Troja n Hors e o f infectio n an d infestation. " CUfford Warwick ' e

t&I.V-' A iJeuieit

) of Cdptive Ex6ii & Ahimdl-Liiike d Zoonoses, J . o f Env . Healt h ResearchVbl . 12(1) (20l2) . The'authors ' of'thi s study specifi c foun d that''pubU c direct'an d iridirec

tcontac twit h animal s o

f urice'ftkiri'brigir

i ari d healt

h stat e introduces a significan trisk factor " an d that"exoti c pet s are ' we

U establishe d as ! source s o f diverse pathogens , direc

tan d indfrectcontab

tassociated'cbntamiriation,''arid significan tan d major source s o f human disease. " Therefore , the authors recoriiriibn'de d that"Whereve

r possible directhuman contac

twit h zo o animal s shoul d b

e avoided. " Id . Se

e als o E.O . Che n e

tal , Cross-Specie

s Trarismissio n p

f a Novel Adenoviru s Associated wit h a Fulminan tPneumoni a Outbrea k i n a Ne

w World lilpnke

y Cohny'yP ^ P^attoloi y yol'7(7),^^

e 1002155- (Jul y 2011 ) 2 5 Note ; tha t

rabies ; vaccine s , ar e generaUy no t approve dfo r

use.r in ; non-dbmesti c animal s (se e http://www.cdc.gov/rabie8/8pecifi c groups/veterinarians/vaccine s marketed.htmil ) an dsom e state s requir e urivaccinate daniinal s b e kiUe dto test

fo r rabie s foUowin g abit e or scrateh . See , e.g. , Do n Lehman , Judg e Order s Lemur s Euthanize da s Rabie s Precaution , Th e Pos t Sta r (Aug . 13 , 2010) , http://postetar!com/news/local/articl e 8fac67f6-a728-lldf-bb76-001cc4c03286.htm l (euthanasi aorder issue dafte r

alemu r

bi t achUddvirin g pubh c contac t exhibitio n at

th e AishviUe Gam

e Farm) . Therefore , puttin g thes e animal s i n apositio n wher e th e pubh c ma

y ,b e harmiedincrease s th e ris k tha t th e anima l ma

y hav e to b

e euthanize dan di s thu s inconsisten t wit h promotin g th e animals ' welfare . : . • I 4 5 I(identifyin g anew ' specie s of aderio'viru s transmiitte dfimri a^'captive tit i monke y t o an employee o

f th e cajptive faciUty ! wbi b develbped ' ari acrite'fespiratpr y Ulries s an dma y hav e furthe r transmitte dth e vifu s t

b arelativ e wh o ha drio coritac t wit h th e morikeys). ' - Th e Associatio n ofZoo s an dAquarium s als o recognizes.th e ris k of zoorioti c diseas e transfe r fro manima l handUng , .andspecifically , recommend s tha t publi c cpntac t

wit h primate s shoul dnot

b e aUowed;,-AZ

A Accreditatipn ; Standard s an dRelate dPoUcies , a t 56-5 7 (2012) , availabl e ^•-.r.^-: ' - :r' : ^:r ' '\ . ''->

. .-'-.xf x v- i -.v - v •

> r",- . •' : i o/ http://www.aza.org/uploadedFil3s/Accreditation/Accred%20Standards%20(v/ith9/620elephant s)(l).pd f ("Responsibl e zoo s shoul dan dd p make,reasonabl e attempt s t o limi t th e ris k o f th e sprea do f

diseas e fro mth e animals.i n .thsfr , car e tp;their,3e.mployee s an dt o th e genera l pubUc . .. . Obviously , animal s tha t ar e Ul , shoul dno t

b e used . ...Unles s exterisiv e testin g ha s been performe dfb r

aVariet y b f

viral ; parasitic , an dbacterial'diseases , a U dfrec t pubUc contac t wit h priina'cb s should-be

- avoided ! PubU C coritac t

als o place' s th e • primate s at •considerable ris k

of contractin g diseases-fro mhumans.").' ' .- ' • . ' • ^

. : ; . ; ! • • • . '

• i^i.^

- ^•;.'-

" . M ^ «•{:;•••'

_. '•;•• , Give n th e weUrestabUshe drisks-t o huma n healt h associate dwit h dfrec t contac t an dunsaf

e clos e contac t

(e.g. , aUowin g th e pubh c withi n 1 5 fee t whe n there i s n

o permanen t

barrie r t o protec t th e anima l an dth e 'pubUc ) "wit h bi g cats , beafs, t

an d-'rionhuiria

n primates , i t

i s imperativ e tha t

APHI S prbhibit " suc h actioii ' to ' iio t onl y protec t

aniina l welfar e an dpubUc safety , bu t

als o t o protec t consumers''expectations.' ' VvTlien'people visi t azoo o r

othe f exhibitio n tha t

i s Ucensedb y the'federa l gbvefnrrient ; they'expec t tha t thei r safety ; an dth e safety of thei r chUdrer i i n particular;'wi U riot'be treate dcarete^ ^ • : •

- - 1 . Ris k o f Iniur v t o PubU c Afte r

HandUn g . I n additio n t

o th e seriou s risk.p f

physical.injui y t

o patrpn s •idsitiri g Ucensees'facihtie s tha t offe r pubU c handUng , the . general ; publi c i s pu t a t ris k b y th e . epidemi c p f

hi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primates , i n backyard s .and-sSubstandar dfaciUtie s (including , man y Ucense d b y USDA ) acros s th e country . jNeighbprs , visitors , servic e personnel, ; an demergenc y first responder s ar

e aU-pu t

i n direct , danger ; i f

thes e animal s ar e no t beingj-kep t

in . secur

e facUities . ;

• i ..'-'is " •••'••

. -, '^r:nrir ' • '

- •-•--•^r- / Thi s pubh c safety ris k

wa s clearl y Ulustrate db y th e devastatin g ZanesviUe , Ohi o inciden t i n Octobe

r 2011 , whe n nearl y 5 0 animals , includin g 3 8 bi g cats , wer e free dby . thef

r suicida l owne r (Terry Thbmpsbn ) an dthe n ha dt b b e kiUe db y loca l deputies . Se e Greg'Bisho p & Timoth y WiUiams , Polic e Kil l Dozen s o f Animal s Freed ! or

i Oh w Reserve , N Y Tirrie s (Oct . 19 , 2011) . I t i s likel y tha t

sorii e o f th e animal s kiUe di n the'ZariesvUl e releas e wer e sen t t o Mr . Thompso n afte r

bein g use dfo f

pubUc contact'exhibition . Se e Do n Lehriian , Som

e Escape d Ohi o Zo o Animal s Use dt o Prow l i n Greenwich , Th e Pos t Sta r (Oct . 20 , 2011 ) (reportin g tha t Thompso n receive dsevera l bi g cat s ffb mJef f As h a.fte

r 'stat e official s ordere dMf . As h t b relocate , th e ' ariimal s foUbwing

- an inciden t where atige r

scratche d" achild) , http://poststar.com/news/local/some-ohio-zoo-escape-animals-used-to-prowl-in

- .; , r . 4 6greenwich/articl e 4f38c37crfb5f

- Ile0^a6b0-001cc4c002e0.html.2^ , Se e o/sp.^Kyle . Potter , La s Ve^^a s Polic e Kil l Escape dChimp , ,(^apture.Second, , h Re-viei w j:purria l (Jul y 12 , 2012) , http://www.lvri.com/news/las-vegasrpoUcerSearch-fpr-two-dangerous-chimpanzees

-

, , - .. . ....... . . . 162236155.html (reportin g o n th e inadequate faciUtie s an dcaretaker s fo r tw o chimpanzee s wh o wer e fprmaU y use dfor ' photographi c oppbrturiities ' o n th e 'Vega s stri p - thes e inadequacies'aUowe dthe'chimpririzee S t o escap e arid'-orie wa s fataU y 'sho t whU e ruririiri g a

t larg e i n th e surroundin g community) ; Assbcia'tior i o f Zoo s an dAquariums , 'WTii^ e Pap^^^ ^ Ape s i n Medi aan dCommercia l Performances , a t http://www.aza.org/white-pape'r-apes-in

media-arid-coirimefeial-pefforniarices / (notingL ; that' ' "wheri

^ • "apet;? performer s become : to o difficul t t o hiridle

- they'-lbs e thefr'"cbriimerCial'%alu e ari dare sold'-t o roadsid e meriagerie s wit h inexpert'handler s ari dofteri irihuriiane'cprtditipns-') ; • • ''' • ' ' '^' " ' Document s obtaine db y HSU S dpm.pnstrat e th e frequent

,-inte.rstateAtransport

^ o f big j cats , bears,;an djprimate s from , pubhc , cpntac t exhibitor s t

o substandard . faciUties . FoUpwin g i s a sma U sampUn g (compUe

dfrompubUG

, ,reGpi;d s receive d>frp

m,a , fe w states , a s weU . a

S ;new s reports ) o f

youn g bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primates , wh o wer e Ukel y use di n pubUc cbntac t situation' s an dwer

e later'discarde dto'bth'ef'^substaridaf dfaciUties . Se

e Appendi x D . • . : -.;.,.» ; ; ^'••

; r. ; • : i;:"::

- : I v • . ..u!-;;

- -'' . 'i q i-rr , '-- j - : . • • ... A Floridarbase dtravelin g zoo caUe d'The , Zop,(operate db y Robert Engesser) tha t

set s • .; , u p i n parking;lot s offering.pubh c phot p ops,w;itJi.;liGnjandtige r cub s transferre dsi x

. . Uon cub s t

o Rescu e One i n OMp.(#31rOr013,5-TT'tW ^ 16 ,

.. . • .>,,.i2pir;,after

th e .Ucensee , wa s cite don , Pctv,27, L fo r enclosures

that did not properly .contain big cats;,,the. faciUty;r^.ce,ntly reUnquished custody of numerous animals after Ohio passed

a law to regulate ownership of dangerous wUd animals). -'•lr/-n.i^rl:'M]A5•:.<'.;''.-.

1 • • . I ' • ^ • Michigan-base dPfemie f Anima l Attractibri#'also'trarisferre dayoun g tige r to Rescu e One ; a s weU'as^ seri t

' ayburi g Ubr

i t o Jurigl e ExperiericbUr

i Ne w Yor k

(#21-0-0319),' a faciUt y tha t

haS been'cite dfo r

AW A viblatibri s f

egatdiri g the ' security b f it s facUitie s - multipl e tirii'e s ir i th e lastsevefa l years'an dwhic h o ha s been asubjec t o f " ' - •• ' enforcemeri t

unde r state 'wildlif

e laws . Se

e http://poststar.com/newsAocal/granviUe

zoo-owner-can-keep-her-big-cats-for-now/articl e 3cabc4aa-43b4-llel-bfed

- ' ' 001871e3ce6c.htm

l

• G.-W . Exoti c Anima l Par k transferred , at

leas t 3 Uon cubs , 7 ti^e r

cubs , an dajuvenil e ..black bea r t o poorly"ru n faciUtie s acros s th e country including : o \Th e Hawthpr n Corp . i n IlUnoi s (#33-0-0053)— afaciUty tha t

ha s accumulate d I $272,50C

) i n USD A penaltie s an dha s ha dit s Ucens e suspende dtwic e 2 6 Terr y Thompso

n also'aUowe

dmemberstof.th

^ public , to . interac t

, wit h youn g bi g cat s o n numerou s occasions (including providing aUo n cu b ,fo r aphot o shoo t wit h mode l Heidi Klum) , thoug

h h e wa s cimously neve

r Ucerise db y USD A despit

e this'evideriC e o

f exhibition' . Se

e USD A Complain

t No . 08

- 09 4 (Feb . 13,2008) . - • - ':

- .:•. " • : . ;^-' : . . -; - ' . • : • • ; ^ : r- . ' ' • • 4 7• o Genesi s WUdUf e Cerite f in'Pennsylvania ; whic h close dless'tha n ayea r afte r receivin g th e tige r

cub s ' ' ' -' ' • ' ' ' - o Th e AmariU o Zo

o i n Texa s (#74-0-0086) , whic h di dno t hav e an exhibi t

fo r ' ' • " the animal s ari dkep t thre e Uon cub s i n aholdin g are afor mbre'tha n five '"-'- • '•' months '

"'' •• '• '•''•^''- "

'•'• "• - • • '

' • , o Th e HiUcreS t

Zoo i n Ne w Mexic o (#85-0-0006) , whic h ha s been repeatedl y ' i cite dfo f

amultitud e o f

violation s bf

th e Anima l Welfar e Act ' ' ' •

• Savannahlan dtrari'sferre dan 8-mbrith-bl dcapuchi n t o ar i individua l i n N e vad a naine dBob GUlurh ; presumabl y t b kee p th e monkey as' apet

' • Mar k

Schoebel,'a'USDA"clas s B deale f ir i Wisconsi n wh o broker s animal s t o an d '-fro mroadside zoos ; dealers , ari dauction s acros s th e country , ha s transferfe d' ' • numerou s ariiinal s b f

pbst-phot o o p age t o auctibri an droadside'zoo s and'receive d • • ' tw o juvenU e tiger s an dtw o juvenU e Uori s frorii' WU dAcfe s RanC h i n OlU b

• • Tige r Worl di n Nort h Gafohri atrarisfeffe da14-week'-old'tige r ^ri da14-week-old ' Uon t o Ou t o f Afric a(#86-G-0095),' aroadsid e zo o in , Arizon a T.I.G.E.R.S . i n South CarbUri atrarisferre dtw o 4-month-bl dtiger s t o Ja y Owerihous e i n Montan a(#81-0-0031)'wh b use s the animial s i n ariiagic ac t McCarthy's WUdlife Center, a pseudo-sanct'iary in Florida, received two 14-.monthr. old tigers and

one Uger froni D.ade City Wild

Things because that

facility was.^

. "overcrowded

with too many animals." See LizFlynn, White Tiger Christmas at McCarthy Wildlife'Sarictuary,WpT^ http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/regio n c pal mbeac h county/wes

t pal mbeach/a-white-tiger

christmas-at-mccarthv-wildlife-sanctuarv . .

. -.r -'r ''-r . \-

' ' '•

,'- • Aloh aSafar i Zo

o ir i Nort h CaroUri areceive dan>approximately 8-week-ol dbea r an d an 8-week-ol dtige r

ffoir i Unidentffie dfaciUtie s tha t previousl y use dth e animal s fo r phot o op s wit h th e liubU c ' ' ' .' ) ' ' —

. ! ' ' ' ^ " ;':-• ' . . •

• rr\ r• n ' '.

^ ; • • ^ • " : Greg g Wood

y bfllUrioi s (#33-0-0218)*ha s take n i n aia f

g e riuriibers o

f bear s ari dbi g cat s fromfacUitie s tha t

offe r phbt o bp s a s weU a s bthe f

exhibitor s tha t

ar e apparentl y discardin g surplu s animals'(likel y t o mak e room'fo r

ne w babies) . Fro m Apf U 200 6 - Januar y 2012 , Wood y receive da

t least^4 5 bears , 1 9 Africar i Uoris , 3 cougars , 1 leopard , airi'

d4:Ugef s frbhaat-leas t

nin e facUitie s ir i five states.-'Severiteen o f th e 4 5 bear s acqui f

e db y Woody-an d1 1 o f

th e 1 9 Africa n Uon s cam e frbm apubUc confac t exhibito r

(G W Exoti c AnimalFouridatibri) . Th e disparit y betweer i Woo'dy' s 4 8acquisitipn s .and,his'USDA , inventory , raise s questipn s .abput.whethe r .thes e animal s are slaughtere dfo r

th e exoti c mea

t market . ; - -

^ .,r>' ; Legitimat e sanctuarie s .canno t tak e i n al l offth e iunwante danimal s tha t unmanage d breedin g for|pubU c handUn g produce s - thes e faciUtie s ar e nearl y filledt

o capacity an d ofte n struggl e t.

o maintai n th e financial-.support necessar y to ^ meet, thp ; gro'win g deman dfo r unwante dariimals. . I n on e .case , . 9 0 ,tigers , wer

e foun d.dea

djan ddozen s mor

e starve dan d barel y ahv e p lef

t behin db y acu

b handUn g exhibito r

wh o operate dabreedin g facUity i n GaUfornia. , See , ;e.^., , Chris..Dixon; . Las f . 5 P Tiger s Are . Moped . Frq mUnsaf e Rescu e Center , Th e Ne w Yofk

Time s (Juneau , 2004);;Barbara;^Vhitaker, . Ma7i3 ' Dea d'Tigers Ar e Foun dA t Bi g Cat Retiremen t

Home , Th e Ne w Yor k

Time s (AprU 24 , 2003 ) (Joh n Weinhar t o f Tige r Rescu e claimed , t

o .be...runnin g . a..retirement home , .for

,ibi g j cat s once use dby . th e entertainmen t

industry . However , stat e officials , foun d3 0 deadanynals on,th e property — mos t pfthern,larg e cat s lik e tigers,-7:with-5 8 cub s deadi n a.freezer..Amon g th e Uving , the y foun d1 1 infan t

cubs;r^;es.timated^t

o h e jus t 10, t o 1 4 day s ol di n acraw l spac e an dtw o youn g tiger s outside.) . Se

e als o Declaratio n o f

Carol e Baski n a

t 11 4 ("Du e t o financial constraints . Bi g Oa t Rescu e an dothe r

accredite dsanctuaries,.routinely , have,t o refus e to tak e i n big.cat s wh o nee dsanctuary . As,. aresult , unwanted..bi g cat s (many^pf who mwer

e use di n pubh c contac t exhibitio n untU the y gro w to o large ) ar e ofte n sent

t o substandar dfacUitie s wit h inadequat e hving/concUtipns." ) Consequently,..these^^ ^ fac e th e possibUit y o f bein g sol dt

o rinscrupulp^us.exhibitors o r aS;''pets'' , .the y ma

y also , b e kiUe dfo r

thef r parts , a s discusse dbelbw . Thbrefofe , t b pfotec t

th e healt h ian

dweU-bein g o f

big^ ^ an dnonhuman primate s use dby'liceriseid''exhilbitxjrs , "a s fequfre db y the " AWA! " APHI S mus t adop t aminimu m requfrement"exphcitly'prohibitirig'pubU c coritac ^ •J ; Coriservatio n Impact s .i^.'.^'i^'/^^?'''^'!'i^ y Although conservation is not exphcitly part

of the APHIS

mandate, it

is important

to note that the. Endangered. Species . Act (ESA). enqpurages federal agencies to. work

together to pfotect endangered

species and

that manyjspecies of

big .cats, .bears,,-and

primates are protected under the ESA. See 16

U.S.C. § 1540(e), (h); 50C.F.R. § i:^.;ll (Ust of protected species includes the tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), snow leopard (Uncia unciat), cheetah. (AciriOTiyx jubatus), .jaguar

(Panthera oncp), ,Pisiatic (Panthera leo persica), cougars (i^i/ria coreco/or), black; bear^grizzly bear (Ursus arctos^Mx horriljilis) , polar

.bear . I^Ursus maritimus) , aU ' .apes , gibbons , an d, lemurs , an ddozen s o f specie s pf^monkeys) . jThus , .breedin g an duse , .of thes e animal s i s o f

.particular

concer n an d mus t b e manage dto promot

e geneti c integrit y an dconservatio n (an dnp t be^ . .conducted frivolously:,fpr

commercia l purposes). . Se e 1 6 U.S.C . § ' 1539(a)(1)(A ) (aUowin g otherwis e prohibite d.action s involve dendangered , spepie s i f suc h actip n wU l "enhance<th e propagatio n or surviva l of

th e affecte dspecies") . 4 9I t

i s we U estabUshe d.tba

t aUowin g people't

p ,interac t

with;dangerou s aniirial s increase s th e public' s deman dtc ksepc,thes e .animal s asopets . Fo r iexariiple , on

e recei'i t stud y foun dtha t peopl e viewin g an;image.'o f achimpanzee , standin g nex t t o ahuma n wer e 30. 3 percen t mor e Ukel y t o agree tha t

achimpanze e was . appieaUri g a s apet

tha n tthbs e viewin g a n imag e of a chiriipanze e standin g alone ^ Stephe n RiiRos s e

t al.' . Specifi c Iniag e Characteristic s Influenc e Attitudes , about

Chimpanze e Conservatio n an dUse.d s Pets,

- Plio S One 6(7)'(Jul y 13 , 2011) . Th e author s of

tha t stud y specfficaU y note dtha t "One explanatio n fon^.thi s effec t is . tha t Viewer s ar

e le dt o believe , tha t

such

- dfrec t

associatioris,betwee n human s an dchimpanzee s ar e bot h common an dsafe.,(Thi s reasonin g i s supporte db y th e fact-tha t chimpanzee s displaye di n zo

o settings , where ' they ; ar e assuriiedl y Kept ' safel y . awa y fro mhumans , resulte di n asignificantly'lowe r proportion , o f

respondents , wh o foun dthem,.appeaUn g a s pets. " Id . There i s .n

o evidenc e tha t

th e coriciusions:b £thi s study , woul dno t als o appl y t

o other,endangere dspecies. , See.Declaratidriio f Dr . TUso n at , 1116-18:("b y allowin g merriber s of the publi c t

o handle'tige r

cubs ; these ; businesse s contribute-to.th' e .demand-'for.bi g cat s a s exotiC;pets....Gettiri g too clo,se't o an y larg e predator , .whethe r captiv e o r

wUd, . i s risk}' ari d th e pubU c apparentl y i s ofte n not,gettiag;thi s important-mesSage.'j) . . : ; r . y i : • - . Thus , whe n th e publi c i s aUowed . t o iriterac t

.directl y o r

indfrectl y wit h bi g cats , bears , o r nonhuman primates , i t

increase s th e desfre t

o kee p suc h animal s a s pets . Give n tha t th e Anima l Welfar e Ac t

speCificaUy ' task s APHI S wit h protectin g ariiriaal s transporte di n commerce , APHI S should ' be ' cbricefriie d'wit h th e grbwin g trad e bf exoti c pets , whic h i s promote dthroug h pubh c coritac t exhibitibn.' ' ' ' ' s , ; • .' ^ . ' • ; No t onl y doe s pubh c contacti,irierease:(th e demand , for i ;exotic l pets,i.(it also ; undermine s conservatio n effort s b y decreasin g pubUcia^/arenes s about th e pUgh

t .o f endangere dspecies , decreasin g donation s t

o conservatio n pcogramsE , ;an difaciUtatin g poaching.an dtraffickin g of wU danimals . Se

e Stev e RrRossisXi.'akyrlnapprdpriate-Us e and-Portrayal : o f Chimpanzees , Scienc e vol . 319 , ,pg . '1487.;(2008);v Steiihe n R,;.Ros s et-al.,'Speci/i c Imag e Characteristic s Influenc e Attitude s about Chimpanze e Conservatio n an dUse a s Pets , PLo S On e 6(7 ) (Jul y .13 , 2011),.(findin g tha t people viewin g aphotograp h o f achimpanze e wit h ahuma n standin g nearby , wer

e 35. 5 percent

m.or e Ukelj ^ t o consider

wU dpopulation s to b

e stabl e an d health y compare dt

o thos e seein g th e sam

e pictur e withou t

ahuman) ; Kar aSchroepfe r e t al. . Use o f

"Entertainment " Chimpanzee s i n Commercial s Distort s Publi c Perceptio n Regardin g Thei r

CPnservdiio n Status , FLG S On e 6(13 ) (Oct . 12 . 2011 ) (firidin g tha t peopl e who view^e

dimage s o f

people iriteractin g \/it h chimpanzee s les s frequeritly donate dto conservation) . Further , wher i th e pubh c is'aUbv/e dt o freel y interac t

wit h dangerou s wU d animal s at

USDA-UcCnsadfaciUties , i t likel y iricrease s peoples ' desfre t b interac t

with'thes e animal s i n th e wUd , posin g furthe r risks t o anima l welfar e an dpubUc safety . See , e.g. , GiUespi e Comment s o n Docke t No . FWS-R9

- ES-2010-0086 , availabl e a t http://esciencecommons.blog3pot.com/2011/10/captive-chimps-up-for-endangered

status.html . 5 0I n additio n t p thes e ver

y rea l problem s o f

perceptio n that'undermine'cbnservatio n efforts , i t i s possibl e tha t

pubUc contac t

exhibitio n i s dfrectl y fuehn g internationa l wUdUf e trade . Fo r example , thef

e .ar e Ukel y 1 more.tha n 5i00 0 captive'tiger s iri.^th e 'U;.S. , th e vas t

majorit y o f whom Uve.outside of

AZA-accredited

zoos.;;See World

WUdUfe'Fund, ITY^ers Amo/i^Us: The Impact of Poorly Regulated- Captive'^: Tigers} in the''Vniied' States on Tigers, in the Wild, http://wWw.'wbrldwUdlife.brg/%)ecies/finder/tigers/captive-tigefs/WWFBiriaryit e riil8371.pdf

. • i • - Ther e i s n

o syste mfo r

trackin g thes e animals-nationwide , an dtiger s are Pfte n wort h mor e deadtha n aUve ; thus/.therei s ampl e ^opportunit y for . tigers , i f

responsibl y bre dt

o suppl y cubs ; fo r pubUc contact , to en du p i n th e blackmarke t

trad e for--traditional Asia n iriedicine . See D.F. WilUamson .& :L;A. ,Henfy, 'Paper Tigers:-^The Role of

the U.S. Captive Tiger Populatio n i n th

e Trad e i n Tige r

Parts , . TRAFFICS'Nort h Americ aan dWorl dWUdUf e Fun d (2008) . Se

e a/s o Declaratio n o f

Dr. : TUso n at.111 6 ("be'Caus e therej'iiS'no oversigh t

o f aU'o f th e tiger s bein g hor n inth e U.S. ; pubh c coritac t exhibitors'coul d"b

e supplyin g th e iUega l tfad e i n tige r parts': > fo r

' traditiona l Asian ' 'medicine'); . Declaratio n ;o f Els e Poulseii'-'a t

HI O ("unprofitable. : 'bears ; ar e ; ofter i sen t

t o substandard- ^ facUitie s or kUle d(perhap s eve n contributin g t

o th e iUega l trad e i n :bear;part s fo r traditiona l medicine).") . " ' ' " ' VII. I^pppsed

Aniendments to Handling Regulatioiih ' '' ''-^^ /'- ^ r... ! ; v'->•;•. . i r;. : ';';U-.- ' '!" r' - • ' A s demonstrate di n thi s petition , i t i s essentia l tha t

.APHI S lamen dit s anima l handhn g regulatipn s t

o pxpUcitf

y i)rphibi t

Ucensee s fron

j aUowing . indi'vidual s othe r tha n traine d employee s o f

Ucense dveterinarian s (an daccompanyin g .veterinary students ) fromcomin g int o dfrec t

contac t or unsaf e clos e contac t

wit h bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primate s of an y age'!. ^ . Refinement

- of

the^minimu m.requfrerrient s r fbrjihumari e handUn g i s essentia l t o protec t animal'weffare'.(as"'reqiifre dby-th e AWA);''^ ^ safety , an dt o clearl y infor m;the''fegulated " community,i'inspectorS j -an d: the . p th e scope o f AW A regiUations ; Further , airiendin g the ' handUn g '.reguratibnS;woul deUminate incentive s fo r unmanage dbreedin g operation s tha t resul t in'irihuriiarie''cbriditipri s an deve n deat h fo r man y o f the«surplu s unwante danimal s wh o are no'lorige r pfofitable: ' Suc h amendriaen t woul dals o b

e consisten t

wit h Executiv e Orde r

13563'(Jan;''l'8,"201'l) , whic h provide s tha t regiUation s mus t

b e "accessible ; consistent

- writte n i n " plain-language , an deas y t b understand." : . ! ^ ;;:^ : - i ' - - ; • t I-r :

. -

r \

\\ r.- •r.'rixr .-•. '-y'• ^ ".i,\--v.» .,-)V. -.-. A s note dthfpugho.u t

tin s petitipn , pubh c .handhn g .of.big;,cats,.bears, an dnonhuman primate s i s utiiformly'obje<rted..t o b y welfgirpjan dconseryation'experts . See , e.g. . Declaratio n o f Dr . TUson ; Declaratio n o f Els e Poulsen ; Declaration;ofDr. t Richardson; ; Therefore , HSU S propose s that , th e agency .adopt,,th e .foUowing,amendment s (indicate di n underUned . re d text):; . • ; -; - f,;-j; , r. K' ••-" . , " - ' • ; , : '

5 1§2.13 1 Hahdlihgd f aiiimals;

- '^'^

. • • - . ; - <r..r . •;•;.! •, . v •:"' ; • ' . - (a ) (1 ) Al l Ucensee s wh

b maintai n wU dor

exoti c animal s mus t

demonstrate adequat e experieric e aridknowledg e o f th e specie s the y maintain . ' • ' (2 ) N o Ucense

e ma v aUo w any individua l other

tha n atraine dfuU-tim e employee of

th e Ucbnse

b of ! aUcerisedveterinaria n (b r accompanyin g - " veterinary student) t

b com e int o difec t

phvsica l contac t

wit h ari y bi g ca

t (Uori . tiger , leopard , jaguar , cheetah ; cougar , o r hybri dthereof) , bear , o r nonhuma n primate , regardles s ofth e ag e ofth e ariimal . ^ (b ) (1 ) HandUn g of

a U animal s sha

U be'doft e a s expeditiousl y ari dcarefuU y a s possibl e i n amanner

tha t doe s no t caus e trauma , overheating , excessiv e cooUng , behaviora l stress , physica l harm , b r unnecessar

y discomfort . (2)(i) Physica l abus e sha U not b e use dt o train , work , or

otherwis e llaridl e • animals . , , . , , ^ (U ) Depri v atio n of

fo'od'b r wate r sUa U not b e use dt b train ; work , o f

otherwis e handl e ariimals ; Pro'irided , however ! Tha t th e slioft-ter mWithholdin g o f foo d or wate r from' ' animal's ' by

- exhibitor s i s aUowedb y thes e regtilation s a s lon g a s eac h of th e animal s affecte dreceive s it s fu U dietar y ari dn'utritib n - ' requfrement s eac h day . .. : ; - ' ; . " e. ' , 3 (c ) (1 ) Durin g pubU

c exhibitibi'l i ain

y ariiirxal riiust

be ' haridle ds o there i s ' ' • minima l ris k

o f harn i to*tlie'aiun;ia

i ari dt b :the'pubUc , wit h sufficient-distanc e and/o r barrier s between th e aMriici i aiid'the'genera l viewirig piibh c s o a s t b ' assure th e safety of

animal s an dth e pubhc . Fo r bi g cats , bears , an d' nonhuman primates , "sufficien t distance " i s a

t leas t 1 5 fee t frommember s o f th e pubhc . unles s there i s aperirianen t barrie r tha t prevent s pubh c contac t o r ris k of contact . , , (2) Performing animals shaU be aUowed

a rest period between perfofmances at least eqUal to the'time fof

bne-perfbrmarice. '

' r:.r- (3 ) Youn g o r

imznature animals_sha

n no t b e exppse dtp : roug h or;.3xcessive pubUc handlin g o r

exhibite dfo r

period s o f

time;whic h wpul dbe.detrimenta l t o thei r healt h or

weU-being. : Youn g o r

immatur e bi g cats.-bears , an d. . t ; nonhuman primate s sha U no t b e expose d,t

o any . pubUc.handUng . an dshaU no t b e separate dfro mthei r

dam s befor

e th e species-tvpica l ag

e o f weanin g unles s alicense dveterinaria n confirm s i n writing : tha t "suc h separatio n i s medicaUv ' necessary . •'•'' : "' ' ' " ' "'• • - "' 52(4 ) Dfugs , suc h a s tranquiUzers , shaU no t b e use dt o facUitate', * allow ! or . i provid e fo r

pubUc handUn g o f

th e animals . (d ) (l)iAnimals_sha U b

e exhibite donfy.fp r

period s of.t i - -i, ^ condition s consisten t

with , thef

r goodhealt h an dweU-being . 1 '••''' ''•'••' '

V. ; • "

Sui ''/J

"... "ll

- • :.. (2 ) A fesponsible,

- knowledgeable , an dreadUy identifiabl e employee p r attendant must^be present-at

aU times during periods of pubUc contact. ^i • • (3) "Duririg pubii'c exhibitiori, dangerous ariirii.als sucti as liori'si tigers,'wolves, bears, or elephants must

be under

the direct

coritfbr and supervision of

a knowledgeable and

experienced

animal .handler.. , ••<,•:;{• i:^ in \. (4) If pubhc feeding of

ariiriials is aUowed, the'food must be'provided

by the animal faciUty and

shall be appf opriate to the tj^e of

ariimal arid its nutritional

needs.and

(Uet; . ij-, ,o - .'\ 'l<r'~. ^u. j; 'i , (e ) Whe n cUmati c condition s presen t athrea t t o an animal' s healt h or

weU

being ; appropriat e measure s mus t b e take n to a!lleyiat

e th e impac t

o f those " : , cpnditipns . A n anima l ma y never b e s,ubjeGted,to , an y combinatio n o f , i , temperature , humidity, , an dtim e tha t i s detrimentaLtp.th e animal' s health or weU-being , taJdng;mto .cpnsideratip n s u as-the . animal' s age , species , breed,'overa

U healt h status , an daccUmation . : I . i • I n additio n t

o aniending . the . general-hand ^ above t o prohibi t direc t contac t an dunsaf

e clps e contac t

wit h big.catSiOb,ear8 , and.nonhuman primate s o f an y age , th e regiUations . specific,.to npnhumanripiiro.atpavWf ^ amende da s foUow s fo r consistency. ;• , ; ,-j,;, v-.;;-' .- :< r'-^t

onr n•'r^•^^<^•• '

' 9 CF R§ 3.7 7 .(g) ' PiifeUcisarf iers . Fixe di^ubU

c exhibits ' hou'sin g nonhumari primates , suc h a s zoos , riiust hav e abarrie r

between th e primar y enclosure an dth e pubh c a

t an y tim e th e pubh c i s present , tha t restrict s physica l contac t between th e pubh c an dth e ;nonhuma n primates . Npnhuma n primate s use di n traine danima l act s o r in.uncage diP,ubUG,exhibits , m^ys t bo.undo r

th e dfrec t bontro l an dsuporvisio n o f a n oxporicnco dhandle r or traine r at a U timc b whori'th o pubUG'i9'proBorit:'Tr)airib dribrihurian prifaifatofe'hia y b e ' pcrniitto dphysica l bbrit'abfwith'th e public ! bi b allowe duride f

§ 2.1gl , but'onl y i f the y ar c unde r

th o dfrbc t

'cbritfo l ari dbuporvisiori'b f ari oxporicnco dhandle r br trairi'o r a t icUl'tiiribi s durin g tho'cbntdct . ' ' ' ' ' ' 9 (>FR| § 3.78.(e).Pubhc barriers . Fixe dpubh c exhibit s housin g nonhuman primates , suc h a s zoos , mus t hav e abarrie r

betwee n th e primar y enclosure an dth e pubh c a

t an y tim e th e pubh c i s present , i n order to restric t

physica l contac t between th e pubh c an dth e nonhuma n primates . Nonhuma n primate s 5 3tOil."~G"Ktillfl'fl'l~6l^jt'0^^1''''lJi ' 'l l FlGf t ]

r UllU . C i llJJU l VTDil:?l T VITXT ^

1 /ntfiiTi.i.?T<.'\1.-f>yi o innf^T*^nfinOT i f^' f n"Avr>f>yi!r>xifinTLr i l'k'rin'fll/>i'*-/;^y-.i".i?'diT' n

. 9 CF R§ 3.7 9 (d

) Pubh c barriers . There :mustb b abarrie r between arriobU

e • • or traveUn g housin g faciUty an dth e pubh c a t an y tim e th e pubh c i s present , i n order t o restric t physica l contac t

betweer i th e nonhiima n primate s ari dth e pubhc . Norihumari primate s use di n traveUri g exhibits , traine danima l ricts, or i n uricago dpubli c oxhibit s rriiis t b o under tho'di f be t cbntro l an d" ' ' ' " suporvisio n of

an oxpbribricb dhandlo r or'trairib r

a t a U tiirib s who n th e pUbU

c 'i s present . Traino dnbrihumar i primate s riiay b

b aUowpdphysical'cbntac t wit h ' th e pubhc , but'bril y i f

the y arc iindb f

th e dfrbc t

coritrb l an dsupervisio n o f an ' ^ oxporionco dharidler'o r traine r a t a U tifno s dUfiri g tho'coritact ! ' \

VIII . Conclusio n ,. . ,,.,.,!,.' , , . . r AUowin g pubU

c contac t with'big " cats , beafs , or nonhumari primate s o f ari y age cause s sever e negativ e welfar e impacts , threaten s 'pubUc safety;

- uridefmirie s coriservatio n efforts , and , therefore , decrease s pubhc , confidenc e in,USD A li'??nsing; , Infan t bi g cats , bear^ , an d nonhuman primate s ar

e irresponsibl y bre dto,,provide asupply , of anirnal s fp r

cpmmercia l exhibitio n an dar

e prematurely,a.n dforcibl y separate dfrp mthef r mothers.tosb e excessivel y handle d(an dofte n transppfte di n interstatej.ceminerc e fo r suc h use) . Durin g pubUc contact ; thes e animal s an dth e visitin g piibUc.,are , at ris ^ o f contractin g diseas e an dsufferin g seriou s injur y or death . Dangerous , aniinal s ar e eve n subjecte dt

o abusive , trainin g an dpainfu l declawin g or

de-fangin g procedure s in . afutU e attemp t t o mak e the msaf

e fp r pubh c cpntac t bnce the y mature . .Whe n animal s use di n such , pubUc handUn g ar e np , longe r

profitable , the y ar e ofte n dispose do f

t o substandar dfacUitie s where th e pos e acontinue dris k t o publi c safety . By . sanctionin g pubUc handlin g o f thes e .animal s a

t Ucense dfacUities , consumer s rightly lose,confidenc e .in,USD A Ucensing,. . . . , , , . Further , curren t

APHI S regulation s are extraofdinarU y difficul t t o briforce , inconsistentl y appUed , an dmus t

b e amende dt

o ensure tha t

Ucensees , inspectors , an dth e pubUc are clearl y informe dof

pubU c handUn g rules . Th e AW A require s APHI S t o provid e minimu m standard s fo r

anima l welfar e and , thus , th e agency i s statutorU y require dt o expUcitl y prohibi t pubh c handhn g of

thes e specie s b y replacin g th e curren t performance-base d standard s wit h bright-hn e rules . 5 4Mor e tha n adecad e afte r APHI S proposed^a..draft ; poUcy,jon the'handUn g o f potentiall y dangerou s animal s th e ;agency,-has stiU.faUedtp.formaU y ac t fOri : the l issue . In.officiaU y withdrawin g th e draf

t pohcy.i n 2004 , the;agejncyf'state dtha t "clarificatio n o f

th e regulation s [o n trainin g an d• handhn g -o f potentiaUy.idangerous ! . animals ] ;.s/iou/d : b e accomplishe d throug h rulemaking " 6 9 Fed;.'Reg . 3.060 1 (emphasi s added).;,Theinstan t petitio n request s tha t th e agency initiat e thi s necessar y an dlon g overdu e rulemakin g proces s t o ensure tha t Ucensees , th e pubhc , an dAPHI S inspector s ar e clearl y o n notic e o f

wha t th e minimu m human e handUn g standardsiar e wit h respec t t o bi g catS y bears, ' ari dnonhuman pfimates . APHI S play s an importan t .rpj e ir i adcfressiri g .the,,nationwid e o f dangerou s wU d animal s Uvingri n .unqualifie dfacUitie s an dbackyards. , 'Th e tJ,.S^^Fish an dWUdUf

e Servic e i s als o beginnin g t

o addres s this..prpblem, . fo r exampl e ,thrpug!ii t"h€

^ .Captive , WUdlif

e Safety Act , which , generall y prohibit s interstate , commerce.i n bi g cat s fp r the . pe t trade . .1 6 U.S.C . § § 3371(g) , '3372(a)(2)(C),(e) . However , USD A iicensee s .ar e .'exemp t fro mthe . -Captiv e WUdlif e Safet3j:,,Act, and.sb.APHI S rnus t ensure^that

hcense dp^^hibitors , breeders ; an d dealers , are no t

contributin g t

o the . exoti c pet

.trade. , Further, , t^^ Fis h an dWUdUf e Servic e reUe s o n APHI S t

o ensure th e welfar e o f threatene dan dendangere dspecie s whe n issuin g permit s fo r

Captiv e animal s unde r th e Endangere dSpecie s Act . Se e 5 0 C.F.R . § 17. 3 (definitio n o f

haras s i n th e definitio n tak e whe n appUe dto animal s i n captivit y dpe s no t includ e generaU

y accepte dhusbandry practice s tha t mee t AW A standards) . I f

APHI S wer

e t p adop t th e ininimun i rpgijiirement s propose di n this , petit:^pn , i t woul dsubstantiaU y bolste r th e agency' s positio n in,combatin g thes e problem s f ,

. , ' • .. ' , . ^ - • . I • - i .:'..*>,.• ; .. . i n suiriiriary , by'rib t

exiiUcitl y prohibitiri g direct'ani i urisaf e cips e contac t

wit h bi g cats , beafsi'ari dnbnh'uiria

n primate s o f

an y kge ; Af'HI & 'actu ^ unmanage dan d frrespbnsiblb 'breediri g o f eri'dangefe dspecies; ' substandar diiuyb'aridr y practices , excessiv e handUri g 'o f

iiifarits , uririecessar

y ari'd' * stressfu l ttknspbrtirig,'^'^^ trainin g an d inhumarie ' declawiri g ari d'de-'fanging , 'dise£(se ' tfarisfe r ' tb ' exhibite danimals , an drisk o f injur y and ' diseas e transfe r t o 'th e puhUc , and " uiiderniirie s coriservatio n effort s an d consUiner

expectatiori s tha t

"USDA'^cbridiicts propb r b^ersigh t

o f hberi'se dfacUities ; Indeed , ever i i n China , whic h i s no t usuaUy'know n fp r

progressiv e ariiiri'a l welfar e measures , bn e provinc e has ; pfohibitb dpubh c Contact 'wit h tige r

cubs . "Se^''!Xirihua;'W

p Mor e Phptd s wit h Siberia n Ti^ii f

' Cub s 'i h ''NE'' ' ' 'Ghina P ' ' (July ; ' 20 , '"''2012) , ' a t http://www.china.org.cn/envfronment/2012-07/20/coriteri t 25962450.htm?r=v. ' USDA/APHI S mus t tak e prbmp t

actip n ,to . addres s thi s anima l welfare^ crisis .

: f .- i •-- ' •

-

5 5

## EXPER T DECLARATION S Dr . Ronal dTUso n (p g 57 ) ( Els e Poulse n (p g 63 ) Dr . Henr y M . :^ichaf

d^b n (p g 66 ) " ' ' > , i . : • Cafcl e Ba3kin;.(pg*69 ) -.^^i.

- . ' ' -,05 . f . '7;! . . I •,,'"•> ' , . i • , . ' i 1 .'i , • • y r

•.. . s r .y ' c •• " • '•;'...!- •

' • - 'KI'''! • '; ; -"rr-r . ' \' u ' ' ' - . '! ' ; " " • • . ' ; '

- i ; r i - ; . . '" ^ ! : : JC'..1 . ^-r."'" ' ••• ; •.:•• ' • \ • '

• • . .'^ i 

# •, . •' . • I •.•> " r.i.ru<. < {••.'c'- •'^'• ' '.K^d:' , (' ;

'' ; !>:;: ^ " • ";f;"j;^o:.. ; '•f'^ •

> 1':

' •

' f

It-;; ; • . i • . . i!..:' - ' ' S(.' . • ...•'?!:!.".•': !

•r - y 'M:!.'.; ; f :

5 6Declaratio n o f Ronal d Tilson , Ph.D . Stat e of Minnesot a) .. . -

• ^'-t . -^- i ' . ?;'^:,; ; | 'r';,. ^ County o f

Dakota) , . . V T ;.;.;o H ' ' , . I , Ronal dTUson , hereb y declare a s foUows : , - 1 . I hav e persona l knowledg e ofth e fact s set fcrt h i n thi s declaration . Th e fact s set fort h ar e tru e t o th e bes t

o f my knowledg e an drecoUection . 2 . I receive dm

y Ph.D . i n Ecolog y fromth e Universit y of Cahfornia , Davi s i n 1980. 1 als o spent

4 year s i n apost-doctorat e positio n ir i Conservatio n Biolog y a t th e Desert Ecologica l Researc h Institut e i n Namibia . I a man Associat e Adjunc t Professo r

i n th e Fish , WUdUf

e an dConservatio n Biolog y Departmen t a t th e Universit y o f

Minnesot a an dth e Senio r

Conservatio n Adviso r

t o th e Minnesot aZoo Fpundation. 1 hav e been amembe r o f th e Associatio n o f

Zoo s an dAquariums ' (AZA's ) FeU dTaxo n Advisor y Grou p (FeU dTAG ) sinc e 1990. 1 serve da s th e Dfrecto r o f Conservatio n fo r

th e Minniesot aZoo fo r

2 1 years . Fro m1987 t

o 2011 1 coordinate dth e AZ A Tige r Specie s Surviva l Pla n (SSP) , whic h manage s apprpximatel y 26 0 pedigre e tiger s Uvin g i n Nort h America n zoos . 1 hav e pubUshe dove r 300 scientifi c articles , testffie di n anima l traffickin g trial s a s atige r expert , an dadvocate dfo r regulatio n t

o proiriote responsibl e car

e o f tiger s i n th e privat e sector durin g m

y entir e professiona l career . 3 . I spent

1 2 year s i n th e fieldi n Asia , Africa , an dCentra l Americ aan dinitiate dan d directe dth e Sumatra n Tige r Conservatio n Progra mi n Indonesia , fro m1995-2010 . I n I ' 2006, i I wa s appointe dDfrecto r o f th e South Chin aTige r

Advisor y Offic e a

t th e Minnesot aZoo . Fo r

8 years , I serve da s Chafrma n o f Th e Tige r

Foundation , a Canadia n non-governmental organizatio n facUitatin g tige r conservation . I als o serve da s Co-Chaf

r o f th e Southeas t

Asia n Program s o f

th e Internationa l Unio n fo r Conservatio n of

Natur e (lUCN ) Conservatio n Breedin g Specialis t Group , coordinatin g aGloba l Tige r Conservatio n Strateg y i n Southeas t Asia . 1 hav e conducte dinspection s o f privately-ru n bi g cat

faciUtie s a

t th e reques t

of stat e la w enforcement , focusin g upo n anima l caf e an dfaciht y conditions , includin g th e manne r i n whic h th e animal s are kept , th e potentia l threa t o f escape , cleanhnes s an dhygien e an dparticularly , th e overa U assessment

of bpt h staf f an danima l safety . 4 . Duriri g m

y career 1 wa s th e primar y edito r o f th e boo k Tiger s o f

the World : The Biology , Biopolitics , Management an dConservatio n o f

a n Endangere dSpecie s (pubhshe di n 1987) ; co-editor ofth e monograp h Management an d(Conservation o f Captip e Tiger s (tha

t wa s translate dint o th e nationa l language s bf ThaUand ,

- i 5 7Indonesia , Russia , China'an dVietna marevise dversio n o f thi s monograp h wi U b

e pubUshe di n 2012) ; creato r of the!firs t we b sit e o n tigers'caUe dth e Tige r Informatio n Cente r (initiate di n 1995) ; co-coordinator of th e Yea r o f th e Tige r Conferenc e (hel di n 1998) ; an dfinaUy, I wa s th e co-editor o f the 2'}< * revisio n of'TYg^e/'s o/i/i e Wsr/d ; The : Biology , Politic s an dConservatio n o f Panther atigri s (pubUshe di n 2010); ' - • 5 . M y extensive'research , pubUcatibns , an dexperienc e coordinatin g globa l • • ' . ; conservation'effort s irivolvin g bot h captiv e an dwU dtiger s riiake m s uniquel y quaUfie dt

o attest-to th e compromise dweUbein g b f tigersiari dother

bi g cat s i n th e contex t o f pubh c exhibition . 1 strorigl y suppor t thi s petitio n it

o prohibi t

pUbU c contac t ; wit h bi g cats , bears,

- an dnonhuman primate s o f an y ag e i n order

t o protec t anima l ' welfar e an dpubUc-safet y an dt o promot

e conservatio n o f

endangere dspecies" . .1. ; ••' . ..'ii-' . t;' U • ' ' '•.:" ' ir : .J

- (

- ; ;.', ; .. i , i -u ^ 6 . ;!SBase do n m y experienc e of

coordinatin g alegitimate-tige r conservatib n propagatio n " program , 1 kno w tha t i t i s essentia l that

Captiv e breedin g h e conducte do n th e basi s

. : • o f soun dscienc e an dprofessiona l husbandry standards. : Fb r example , th e Tige r

SS P

. . maintain s internationa l 'studbook s fo r Amur , .Sumatra n an dMalaya n tige r subspecies , analyzes^their geneti c Uneage s a

U th e wa y bac k t b wUd

- caught founders , an dannuaUy evaluate s the SSP:populations , t o deterriiine;breeding( " recommendation s tha t

preserv e and/o r

increas e geneti c integrit y an daccount fo r th e spac e avaUabl e withi n SS P •participatin g zoo s fo r adul t animals . Conversely , breedin g practices:by-pubh c contac t exlUbitors , v/ho d

o not;emplo y thes e principles , seriousl y undermin e legitimat e in-sit u specie s conservatio n efforts , jeopardiz e : ; anima l healt h an dwelfar e issues ; an dsend s fals e ari dmisleadin g conser.'atio n message s t

o th e general'p'ubUci. i ;;;^' ? j " :;; ; ' i c :'• . •

. ^ ' ; iuJ : 'l i ii<\:i . 'j

- . ; • V ; . .;•.': < ', ' 7 . Roadsid e zoo s an dotherlunaccredite dfaciUtie s bree dcub s recklessl y eac h year t o suppl y th e deman dfo r

pubU c handhng ; ;WhU

e the'exact-number

o f birth s i s - unknow^n, a s thes e number s ar e ofte n not

feporte dan dremai n untracked , i t i s hkel y tha t we U ove r 100 . tige r

cub s per yea r are born ir i th e U;S . outsid e of th e AZ A Tige r SSP . Pfivat e breeder s typicaU y ignore . professionaUyrrecognize dbes t practice s Uk

e maintaining/increasin g geneti c integrit y ; aUowin g inothers't o rea r thei r owi i ' ^ offspring , an dinsurin g bot h mother an dcubs.are";no

t subjectedt o stressfu l envfronments , ;suc h a s constan t intervcity transfer s i n inadequatel y designe d vans/trucks . B y frivolously breedin g tigers , fo r exampl e b y no t

maintainin g geneti c diversity ; th e resul t

i s that-thes e offsprin g mos t hkely

- wi U hav e lowe r

reproductiv e success , som

e wU l suffe r

fi'omcongenita l defect s suc h a s hi p dysplasi aan dclef t palates , "an

dafe w wU l becom

e so neuroti c tha t

the y wU l attac k

an dmai mor.!ki

U thei r cage mates . I t

i s imperativ e tha t

ca p tiv e po p ulations'o f

endangere dspecie s ar

e manage dt

o promot e legitimat e conservatio n effort s tha t ar e focuse don'th e long

5 8termgoal of using , thes e animal s fo r in-situ . efforts.(b y augmentatio n o f existin g population s or

as,reintroduction:candidate$).b y rang e countries : [

• . ''p. , • • : ' ..iV'^"" ' i . v. ^ rr>iuib-:-::r-

j :\^'r/ ' • ' \ . - '8 . Preiriaturel y removin g abi g ca t ;cu b fi^m- itS ; mothe r

i s ;no t coridone db y th e majorit y o f anima l care professipnals.becaus e i t mayhave ; significan t

negativ e developmental an dweffar e impact s fo r bot h th e cu b an dit s mother . Mos t

importantly , th e mother provide s colostru mto- acu b i n th e first

12-;24ihoU

f S o f nursing,-.givin g th e cu

b essentia l nutrient s an dantibodie s t o bolste f it s undevelope dimmun e system . I n th e

, .wUd , atige r

.cu b wUl . stay with.it s mothe r untU , sexua l maturity , t5T>icaU y 2. 5 t o 3 : . years!.;Forcibl y separatin g acu b before thjat'tim e ca n lea d.t o negativ e long-ter

m •health.an dbehaviora l repercussions . These,unne.cess'ar y impacts,woul db

e bette r documente di f

a U decease dindividual s underweri t aprbper . necropsy , bu t

tha t i s not commb n practic e at

mos t substandar dbreedin g facihties . Tige r expert s wit h

- . , -hundred s of,'year s o f e^qjerienoe .in , captiv e propagation , agre e tha t i t i s norm€f.Uy;i

n a cub' s bes t

.interes t fp-sta y wit h its'mothe r Urit U th e species'tjT)ica l ageio f dispersa l (i.e., ; 2i5- 3 years) . Pfematur e separatior i impacts,jthe -mothe r a s weU - p.ubU

c coritac t exhibitors ; may , bree dafemal e tige r a s man y as

- three-timesiper^year , whic h woul d never pccuf . in . th e -wUd.' , Science.-base, dknowledg e o f ' a:tiger' s f

eproductiv e natura l history , commOn-sense derive dfromyears;o f pfofessionaljm'anagemen t of tiger s i n

, AZA-.accredite dz^)ps

j iand . anod-to>ethica

l an dmora l reSpOnsibUitie s t o car e an d nurtur e captiv e tigers , tOi.th e bes t o f ou r abUifiesicaUiridicat e tha t repetitiv e breedin g

, \:-.simUar.t o whatLOCCur s i n puppy;m;iU.s.-.is;detrimental;to^the mother . ;•• ; . j i^;. ; .r]•:o''"'' . r:r':i O •

• ;'0:. . ;';'.h ^^:.^'

• ;'i ; :'iJ;^ini.l.i:A4 ! e:.ir:.'

r 9 . i Hand-reare dcUb s typicaU y weig h less-than mother-reare dcubs , an dofte n suffe r digestiv e issue s fromformula-feedin g an dunhygieni c iienvirpnments , potentiaU y resultin g i n infection . Fo r example , expert s kno w tha t i n th e event

tha t acu b mus t b e hand-reare d(becaus e th e cub's.iribthera'sino t providing..adequat

e care) , cub s shoul dU e on.a-flat.surfac e durin g b'bttleT'feedin g to : preven t

aspira:tion . However , i t i ,appears that

mariy substandard

exhibitors aUow, members of the pubUc to bottle- .-' feed tiger cubs:whUe hblding them in.an improper and unsafe positiori.that

increases .' • chances of

aspfration and

death; .AdditionaUy, these pubho-feeders seldom;have access to washing basiris, do not wear.propar

clbthing orjhand-glbves, are-.not screened to;see if they are sick, coUghing or exuding mucus from colds and viruses, thus.cfeating an ,unhygienic envfronment that.'endangers, the cub specificaUy. •'• . ;;••;-!, .'i'

. - •ik[;rr'•'

• ' • ^^-Mn..': i;f..'.-•' •,-:A-, 10 . : Hand-feare dcub s are als o susceptibl e to , behaviora l disorders;'causing ! the mt o .displa y abnorma l trait s a s adults.sFo f example, , tige r

cub s reare d.b

y surrogate f.animai s suc h a s dog s ofte n d o no t kcqufr e species-tjT3ica

l behaviors.;;The'larg e bod y o f evidenc e re!garding .maternal ; bondin g versu s infant'separation , i n most-ever y primat e .famUy.studie di s instructiv e i n th e bi g ca t contex t - fo r mamimals, ; no t

bein g 59reare dby airiothe r ofth e sairi e species , •aridbein g i n th e coinpari y o f othe r htte r mates , i s aharidicap-to developin g norma l adul t behavibf ; - 11 . Bi g ca t cub s ar e bor n bhnd , fragU e an dcompletel y dependent o n it s mother' s care , > Warmt h an dinUl : t

o surviv e -iri'fact,'i n bot h wil dtiger s an dcaptiv e tigers , rieonatal mortaUt y i s highes t

(abou t 30% ) 'durin g the'firs t

30v90 days ' - whic h i s why • legitimat e conselrVation propagatio n program s aUo w darn s an dthei r

cubis t o b e lef t

. undisturbed

after bfrth to aUow tlie.mbther and offspring to bbnd

and estabUsh a feeding routine. Indeed, 'accredited-zoos generaUy dp riot even put a iriother

arid cubs on exhibit untU the cubs are at

least 12 weeks of

age, due'tb the potential iriipacts of stress and/or

accidents from exhibition. In many instances where substandard facihties separate cubs becauSb'^b;; a claim that the mothers'

are nbt providing proper care, it may be that

the birthing environment; including the presence of staff, contributed

to the rejection by'the mother. - ':'**^^"^'^' 12 . Bi g cat s normaUy slee p u p t o 30 % o f ever y 24-hbur

day , bu t pUbU c handUn g severel y " interrupt s thi s slee

p cycle/Causin g exhaustion , anxiety , frritabUity, an dassociate d physiologica l coiisequonceo tha t compromise s thef

r immune'system . Transpbrtin g animal s fo r

exhibitio n purpose s pose s additiona l an dseriou s healt h concern s fo r bi g cats . Trave l condition s an dnois e ofte n caus e stress , anxiety , an ddiarrhe ai n bi g cats , especiaU

y cubs,'CGriipfbiriising'thei r imniun e 'sy.steriiS;ari dmakin g the mmor e susceptibl e t

o disease . Ther e i s p'robably norOtlie r recognized^even

t tha t i s considere d mor e dangerou s fo r

abig^Ca t tha n beiri g -trarisferre dfro maplace'o f famiUarit y t

o one o f unknow n famUiarity.

- 'Bi g cat.;trarisfer s ar e weU re'cbgnize dwithir i th e = professiona l car

e fraternity a s bne^ofjii f riot th e most , leadin g caus e o f prematur e deat h i n tigers.'.-'''.'-^'^'^R'" n- i ^ >'^ ; . s ', ' ••-•.-••. [ •'r-

- 'r--. r - 13 . Captiv e tigers ar

e s ascepltible t

b diseases , includin g canin e distemper , bacteria l meningitis , cbUsepticemia V and'salinbneUa ; whic h i s also:fata l to " tige r cubs.

- Becaus e sign s o f diseas e ar

e ofte n lateri t

untU tri e diseas e i s advanced , atiger' s healt h an d welfar e ar

e dependen

t on acut e perception s i n behaviofa l or physica l changes , whic h ar e bes t riotedb y fofiriaU y traine dstaf f csring'fo r

tiget s ir i famUiar

erixdronments . Exhibitor s conductiri g pubUc'handUri g operation s usuaUy d o no t hav e the iricentive , skiU,ib r mos t importantly , acbmmitment t o respbnsibUity , t

o re'cogiUz

e these ' symptoms. ' •'"

• - ••-'• • - "•i'-.-s

- . . • .-..i . • 14 . AUowin g pubUc contac t wit h ofte n unhealth y animals-als o pose s aris k to pubh c healt h ari dsafety . Tige r teet h aric l ciaW s a.r

e incredibl y shar

p fro mth e moriieri t

the y erupt , aroun dseven week s of age . Havin g hand-reare dtiger s mysel f (whe n trul y necessar y fo r th e healt h an dweUbein g of th e infant) , I kno w tha t youn g tiger s ar

e ofte n uncomfortabl e witl i beiri g handled , a s observe db y th e anima l Squirmin g an d 6 0• tryin g t o ge t away.byjbiting ; scratching,..defecating , urinating; ( an dsqueaUng . Thus , aUowin g pubUc contact,.wit h even-youn g cubsipose s arisk,tp;pubU c safety , especiaUy fo r youn g chUdren . I . - • , ' .... . . , 1

- . y H7

f .1 ' "t j .;'•.(<•• ) r', • '..'xy.-'-

- r

';;-'.-';•.»• ; '

• •'i-r; ; • ' ' 15 , Onc e tige r

cub s reach-maturity o r ar e n o longe r profitabl e - becaus e they , ca n no longe r b e handled.by-the;pubh c -.they,ar e often-sol dand.relocate dt o other: i ;

. i substandard'facihtie.s . where ;the y d o no t receiv e proper

car e (includin g contaminate d

. .foo dand.dfrt y enclosures) ; I t is,extremel y problematic:that hcense dexhibitor s ar

e

. . aUpwedt

o maintai n mas s ibrepding-operation s but,,assum e no resporisibiUty.fo r

th e ..Ufetim e care o f th e animals : the y .produce.ta . : i ; , • i ; i . ; ' : ;.;'"!!;;- " .

• .;;.• ' > -i.-^:: . ' .-i-/;<; , i:' . ' .r. : ii'-r.--

- ' -ivi,;-;; ' ;,'•? . ,16..In additio n t

o a U ofth e amma l welfar e an dpubUc safety iconce.rns discusse dabove , i t i s importan t

t o not e tha t wit h acriticaU y endangere dspecip s -lik e tigers , the,-

^ busines s o f

usin g thes e animal s a s photographic'props;undermine s legitimat e conservatio n efforts . Indeed , b y aUowin g member s o f th e pubh c t

o handl e tige r

cubs , , ..thes e jbusinesse s contribut e t o the.demari dfp r

bi g cat s as^exptic pets. , Further,

- J vbecauis

e there is . no . oversigh t

o f allo f th e tiger s .being bprn i n th e U.S. , pubh c contac t

, exhibitor s cpul db

e supplsdn g th e iUega l tradeii n tiger , part s fo r traditiona l Asia n medicine . '-^i--. n Auy.-i'- . ^i,1; . • ^--r'y-rry.;^r:-^i-"y.] : Ki" , : • '.• ! : ;•..: ' •'^f

, . - i .?;•;''•;. : ,'• . . L-'- ' : r !'.• ^- y 'rr.,-ryi' l v- ' .IT . Th e urimaftagedrtigeripppulatip n is;a.different:cre?^tiAre.altogether . The y are no

. .. . longer

Amu r pr,.Sumatra, n Q

r Beng8d'tige;rsrThey;areitiger,soup . I t i s improbable , i j .and, , i n fact , undesfrable ; tha t an y wUl/eye f

bPirelei^sediintOithe wUd , despite th e argumen t

b y spme<priyat

e ownerS'-t

P the , contrary , an dthu s the y remai n geneticaUy

- indistinct , larg e predatof s i n cage s with i httl e or

no ,value !t

Q :th e futur e of

thei r kind . A s tiger s the y hav e n o worth , bu t fo r seUer s o f thef r part s the y ar

e worth afortune . 18 . Where stU l legal ; tigers ; are bought , sold , ari dbred , .They

- are playe dwit h Uk

e hous e cats . 'They-.ar

e show-^.cased-fo

r mPney.ian dconceit , an dthe y ar e raise dfo f

th e ; persona l gratificatio n p f thef r pwners. . Injuries^an ddeath s t o caretaker s an dvisitor s are brUshed.awa

y a s eithe r

poPr;hus.bandr

y or ba dluck , .np

t th e fesul t

o f hundfed s o f thousand s o f

year s o f deeply roote dpredatory , instinct . Base do n thef r ;experience s wit h thefr ' ow n pets ; and ; variou s fictional depictions^ . many - people , have , astron g desfre t o be^close .t

o and.to touc h wUd.animals.iMan y alsp-beUpye tha t wU danimals , eve n larg e predatprs , wU l respon dpositivel y t o lov e an daffectio n an dretur n tha t affectip n i n kind . Thi s i s arecip e fo r disaster . Larg e carnivore s shoul dno t b e treate d lik e dpmesti c dog s .or.gats . Gettin g tp p clos e t o an y larg e predator , whethe r captiv e or 'WUd , i s risk y an dth e pubh c apparentl y is;.often no t gettiri g thi s importari t

message . 19 . Th e keepin g an dunregulate dbreedin g o f tige f s is:not;health y fo r

ipeople , tigers , o r tige r conservation..:Municipahties , states"/:an dfedera l governments , shoul db e 1 - • . 6 1' encourage dt o restric t th e breeding , sale,'ari dirresponsibl e privat e ownershi p o f tiger s an dother

larg e predators . Thi s i s alread y happenin g throug h th e effort s of a fe w organizations , an dagrowin g number o f loca l jurisdictions . Endin g uncontrolle d breedin g o f

tiger s an dother

exoti c wUdUf

e outsid e o f

legitimate , scientificaU y manage dprogram s woul dals o lesse n or eUminat e th e nee dfo r

sanctuaries , an dth e fund s use dt

o operat e thes e faciUtie s coul dthe n b e diverte dt

o conservation . Thi s tren dshoul db

e encourage dbot

h i n th e Unite dState s an daroun dth e world. . Pursuan t t o 2 6 U.S:C . § 1746, 1 declar e under penalty of

perjur y under

the law s ofth e Unite dState s of

Americ athat

the foregoin g i s tru e an dcorrect , base do n m y ow n personal knowledge , 'aii da s t o thos e inatters , ! i believ e theri i t o b e true . Execute dthi s 16"

^ da y of October , 2012 , i n Appl e VaUey , Minnesota .

. . .-.ynr^ y'i ^

••i'^-.' ' ;.--/'T;. . ' •••',' • ^ .''r.l":r - ,ry''••••-•.. • • ;: - ; •• , ;.' yrr/.

Dr . Ronal dTUsor

i : -'.1 r .-'-, --i

r.r : i . ••!i;':-. b rr y •y . •^v->" : •

• ::':?v ) -•>;. ! ,:'\^:iy.\\y:>,ryxr ; r•

•

. >.C. : V s.:' .

'•i.c.;i, .

6 2Ontari o

Canada " )

')" . -/ • Declaratio n o f Else . Po,uls e , ' .'•;• : 'fi : y ' '.- ; -r . r . ' .:'v• . - ; -'^.•.''..jb'-.•:•;!_.'>,'.« . •,!?•;•;.' : ::tt;- ' .

I , Els e Poulseri , declare a s foUbws : 1 . 1 hav e personalkriowledg e ofth e fact s Se t fort h ir i thi s declaration . Th e fact s set • • ; ; ' 1 Ki f

y\ut. . '. '•

• .r- • • " -ry y J " • ;..'5'" ; .;•;,. • fort h 'ar e tru e t o th e bes t

o f my knowledg e an drecoUection . 2 . 1 hav e been aCaptiv e WUdUf e Managemen t

Consultan t

fo r 1 2 years . 1 receive dm y Bachelor' s Degre e i n Biologica l Science s an da4 year diplom air i Captiv e WUdlif e Husbandry . 1 hav e ove r 2 5 year s o f

experienc e workin g i n captiv e wUdUf e management

at zoo s Uk e th e Calgar y Zoo an dth e Detroi t Zoo , whic h are accredite d b y th e Associatio n of

Zoo s an dAquarium s (AZA) . 1 hav e authore dnumerou s scientifi c article s o n bea r behavio r an dhusbandry . I n 2009, 1 pubUshe daboo k entitle d"Smilin g Bears- A Zookeepe r Explore s th

e Behavio r

an dEmotiona l Life o f Bears. " 1 a

mamembe

r o f th e Internationa l Associatio n fo r Bea r Researc h an d Managemen t

an dth e America n Associatio n o f Zookeepers . i ' • - . • • . • 3 . I amarecipien t

o f th e AZ A Bea r

Researc h ExceUenc e Award , ari dPresiden t of th e Bea r Car e Group , anonprofi t organizatio n dedicate dto th e continue dorganizatio n o f internationa l bea

r husbandry . Th e Bea r

Car e Grou p facUitate s communication , education , an dresearc h sharin g amongs t internationa l bea

r care professionali s i n th e iriteres t

o f globa l bea

r weffar e an dconservation . 4 . Base do n m

y significan t

experienc e i n bea

r husbandry , I understan dth e negativ e welfare , pubUc safety , an dconservatio n impact s o f frivolous breedin g an dpubUc contac t exhibitio n o f

bears . Therefore , I suppor t thi s petitio n t

o prohibi t

pubh c handUn g o f

bears , bi g cats , an dnonhuman primate s o f an y age . 5 . Breedin g bear s outsid e o f legitimat e captiv e propagatio n prograrii s ha s seriou s imphcation s fo r

bea r weffar e an dconservation . Thes e practice s resul t i n a populatio n o f

bear s withou t

geneti c integrit y (an dthu s Uttl e conservatio n value ) an d asurplu s o f

bear s relativ e t

o th e spac e avaUabl e to provid e adequat e lifetim e care . Ofte n exhibitor s engage di n th e businesse s o f aUowin g pubUc handhn g o f bear s d o no t einplo y professionaU y recognize dbes t practice s Uk

e keepin g astudbook

tha t i s share dbetween faciUtie s t o encourag e geneti c diversit y an daccountabiUty . 6 36 . Prematur e separatio n of mothe r an dnewbor

n bears'i s acommbn practic e fo r pubh c 'Contac t exhibitors , as'hand-rearing-cub s aUow s the'pubU c acces s t o sma U bear s tha t • ar e easie f t o fee dan dhandle . However , thi s ha s severe , long-ter mbehaviora l impact s fo r

th e cubs , an dbea

r experts'agre e tha t

hand-rearin g cUb s shoul db e alas t resort an donl y dbn

e i f amother

i s riot wUUng and'abl e to

^ car e fo r th e cub(s ) an dno !''Cohorts ar

e avaUable'forpee r

fearing.'^Bea

r cub s have' ageneti c expectatio n t o lear n fro mthei r

motherscub s nee dtO'be taugh t ho w t o avoi ddanger

an dbuU dnest s an db e introduce dt

o complex habitats . Bear s lear n species-typical reproductiv e behavibr s fron i mimickin g adul t behavior . Bear

cub s are very sensitiv e t o trauma , a s evidence db y rescue dcub s who are know n t o hav b Witriesse dth e deat h o f thei r mothers . Fo r

eixample , I rehabUitate dathree-mont h ol dbea r cu b wh o los t

he r mother an ddeyel()pedith

e stereotypica l beha'viorCb f »pacing quickl y i n he r

enclosure .

. - Thi s bea

r sufferedlong-ternnimpact s fro mbein g deprive do f materna l influence . 7 . Withou t

th e ojjportunity t

o lear n health y bea

r behavior , cub s ar

e mor e prone , t o stress , anxiety ; an dbehavibrai iSSue S hke'entrenche dstereotypes ! Ari y pubh c handUn g of

abea r cu b i s by definitio n excessiv e an dundermine s anima l welfare . Bea r cub s ar e bfte n transporte daroun dth e country t o facUitat e pubUc contac t exhibitiori,'ari dthi s deprive s cub s o f th e sleep , exercise , an droutin e tha t the y need . Travehn g an dpiibU c handlin g ar e very stressfu l fo r

abea r cub . Fo r

example , daU

y an dseasonal slee

p cycle s ar

e severel y disrupte dfo r trave l or performance . Bear s are diurna l an dslee

p twic e aday , aschedul e tha t i s inconsisten t

wit h bein g awake durin g norma l :b.usines s hour s fo r pubUc contac t

exhibitors . Bear s are metaboUcaU y depresse di n th e faU , an dnee dt o de n i n order

t o res t an dencourag e tissu e repafr . Unfortunately,:substandar dexhibitor s ofte n d o no t provid e bear s wit h th e opportunity fo r

sufficien t

daU y an dseasonal res t

(as pubUc handUn g i s prioritize d ove r th e animal' s nee dfo r

sleep) . PubU c handUn g o f asleep-deprive dbea

r increase s pubUc safety risks , a s suc h bear s ar e mor e frritable an dstressed . 8 . PubU c handUn g of

even infan t

bea r cub s i s unsafe . Bear

cub s bite naturaUy , an d lear n not t o fro mparent s or

sibUng s wh o bit e back . Further , bea r claw s d o no t retrac t an deven ayoun g cu

b ca n caus e substantia l injur y t o humans , especiaUy youn g chUdren

j A hand-reare dbea

r at aroadsid e zo

o o r travehn g menageri e i s fa r les s likel y t

o hav e exposur

e t o othe r bear s t o lear n socia l cues , whic h ma y resul t i n abusiv e trainin g technique s i n an attemp t t o cur b bitin g an dscratching . i 1 9 . Oub s use dfo r

pubh c handUn g ma

y b e underfed , intentionaU y o r due t o alac k o f knowledg e of

adequat e care . Suppressin g growt h ma y exten dth e length o f

tim e a bea r cu b ca n be | handle dby th e pubh c befor e th e anima l i s to o large . 6 410 . Cub s bre dfo r pubh c handhng.frequently,end'Up,i n substandar dfacUities,,suc h a s roadside-zoos , whe n the y becom e tP o large.;o f

dangerou s t

o handle . I t

i s very.difficul t :t o findhome s forbear s once , they-ar e discarde dbypubU c contac t exhibitors . Ther e are ; fe w facUitie s tha t

ar e abl e t o provid e appropriat e lifetim e care , an dthp number ' , o f unwanted , bear s fa r

surpasse s th e number

o f space s available ; i n credibl e .' . f . sanctuaries.

- Spacora. t thes e sarictuarie s i s als o i n demah dfo f rehabUitating.wU d

- bears , makin g i t

ever i mor e difficult.t p plac e hand-reare dbear s previousl y use dfo r pubh c cpntaotiP5{hibition . As. aresultVthese-iUnwanted , unprofitabl e bears:are ofte n sent to.substandar dfacihtie s o r kUle d(pefhap s eve n contributin g t o th e iUega l trad e inibear part s fp r traditiorialmedicine) . . J :vi, ' . . ..';' o

. • -.^ V / : '';: i . . i.i.'•:•••• : I ' ;; i ;? ! '- y rr ' ••<•'

- '•-ry L ; •; .

. Bursuari t

t o 2 6 U.S.C . § l[746i-.Ldeclaf e unde r penalty of

rpeigUr y under th e law s of

th e United ; State s of

Ameriq atha t

th e foregoin g i s tru e an d;correcti : basedo n ni y .own persona l knowledge , an da s t

o thos e matters , 1 beheve the mt o b e true .

- .- v • ; '..r ; .r ; . d..; • ^ ; •"'.•^ o '/i r . ''\ . ' r.'-ij ^ :.JQ,-.: , ,; . ', ' .• ; Executed,thi s 16" " day , of October , 2012 , i n Ontario , Canada . •rl,.^-:<i , u-y.-'' - •••

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y:-^fi~-,' J '>.K. 6 5Declaratio n o f Henr y M ! Richardson , DVM . ( •1 ' J . ! i 1 Stat e o f Cahforni a!) . , ,



# .. . [ • •'h."r

County of

Butt e i ) : I,,Henry M . Richardson , he.reb y declare a s foUows: , r , . 1 . I hav e personall knowledg e ofth e fact s set fort h i n thi s declaration . Th e fact s set fort h ar e tru e t o the;,bes t of my,knowledg e an drecoUection . ' . 2.. , .I,amavete.rinarian withexj^ertis e i n wUdariimal s Uvin g i n captivity,,and, I hav e ponsiUte dwith|,numerpu 8 npnprofi. t organizations.an dgovernment agencie s regardin g th.e,.welfar

e o f animal s i n faciUtie.s.acrps. s th e country . I , hav e mor e tha n 40

. . . f year s o f experience , providin g car e fpr.animals , residin g i n accredite dzpo.s , .cfrcuses , an di n privat e Jownership.,For three.years , I hav e serve dpn.th e Boar do f Dfrector s fo r Chimpanze e Sanctuary Northwest , a, faciUty accredite db y th e .Global Federatio n o f Anima l Sanctuaries . 3 . 1 hav e travele dt

p Bolivi athree,time s ,t

o provid e veterinary , assistanc e t o five Uon s an dababoon who w,ere..rescue dfrpm-, aBpUvia n Circus . I.also.serve das , th e Projec t Veterinaria n fo r

Bo,Uvian;^pn,Airk;fro mNpvem,ber.f2010,thro,u^^ ^ Februar y 2011 , whe n I assiste dthe . Bolivia n governmen t i n rescuin g 2 5 Uon s fro mcircuse s an d travele dwit h th e Upns,t o a.sanctuary,in,(!Iolorado t o monito r

health,an dstres s durin g transit. . I n th e ]l9,90!s;I wor!ke di n Rwand aproviding.veterinary,car e to endangere dmountain . gprUla s .while.monitprin g an devaluatin g the^healt h o f mountai n gorill apopulatipns.),,-). , ,,. . . ,

i ~ 4 . Becaus e p f

my!extensiv e experience , wit h captiv e animals , 1 strorigl y suppor t thi s petitip n ,t o prphibi t

publi c contac t

with;bi g cats , bears , an dnonhuman primate s o f an y age . Such.unProfessiona l practice s are,often,crue l an ddangerou s a.n d. undermin e coriservation.efforts..- i i . , 

# : I ' • • - - - " 5 . Unmanage dari dirresponsibl e breedin g pr^actices'pose , abroad.rang e o f problem s fo r bi g cats , bears ] an dprimates . Fo r example , inbreedin g t

o produc e aestheticaUy

pleasin g white ! tiger. s .often resiUt s i n facia l defprmities , .hip dysplasia , potentia l . renal , failure , and , ashortene dlif e span . SimUarly , cross-bree.ding tiger s an dlion s t o

. produc e Uger s als o pose s health problem s fo r th e cubs , includin g poor.bone:healt h relate dt o thei r larg e size , an dshortene dUf e spans . Whit e tiger, s and,hybridize dbi g cat s d o no t benefit,conservation , bu t ofte n ar e produce dbj f

s.ubstandar

dfaciUtie s lookin g t o profi t fromexhibition . I 6 66 . I t

i s abasi c tene t

o f mammaUa

n biplpg y .that : offsprin g ar e fe.a ^ b y thei r

dams , includin g arelativel y length y perio do f nursin g an dweanin g an dlearnin g essentia l skiU s fo r adulthood . Prematur e separatio n o f mother s an dthei r

offsprin g ofte n results i n poor

healt h an dbeha'^dora

l abnormaUtie s i n th e infants , som e o f whic h can persis t

throughou t

ahand-reare dinfant' s Ufetime . Prematur e separatio n ca n ' als o riegatively impac t

dams , wh o devot

e significan t

resource s t

o gestatio n an dbfrt h

- I hav e seen femal e cat s emi t amournfu l ca

U fo r week s afte r

bein g forcibl y separate dfromthef

r offsprin g and ! hav e rio'dbubt tha: t female s wh o los e thei r youn g experienc e asens e o f loss . • '.:,•'•! . ' " '-. . •;'!:'i;i b . ' ' : .V dy-.y' ' :.>':y...' i '. . . 7 . Th e length o f

tim e tha t

expeffs ' recogniz e 'ai

s riebessary fo f

norma l irifan t develbpment

varie s dependin g o n th e species , bu t there i s genera l consensu s tha t i n • * legitimat e captiv e prbpagatibri program s th e bes t ^fi f actic e is'^t

o avbi ddistUfbin g mothef s and-newbbfn s (phySiCaU y O f eve n audibly ) sb'that

the y can bon dan d ''e'stabhs h a'routin e fo r proper -physica l ari dbbh'a:viofa l developmerit . I n coritrast , exhibitbr s erigage dir i th e biisiries s b f b f eediri g fo f

pubh c haridUn g 'ofte n preiriaturel y an dforcibly Separat

e irifant s "bot

h t o obtairi-youri' g cub s fo f

pubh c contac t

an dt o encourag e "

adani"t o reproduc e again'iribf

e quickly:''' ^ ^'^

^ 8 . When , infan t

bi g cats , bears , or

primate s are prematurel y separate dfro mthei r dam s ' i t results i n a'weakerie diirimuri e systeiri , in'paft'l^caUse'thei e infant s ofte n d o no t • ' receiv e pfopb f

nutritio n whe n depfiVe do f thef r 'rribthefs ' niilk . Thes e hand-reare d ' ' animal s have''fU'rther'^weakeri'ediimriurie'systerii s whe n the y ar e deprive do f siifficibri t

rest'an dexercise't o malce'them'aMUabrd-fb f i)ubU c hand ^ Whe n thes e • youn g animal s wit h cbinpremise dimiriuriit ^ afe'^handle' db y th e pubhc , the y ar e particularl y susceptibl e t o contractin g dfsfeaseS . Fo f exairiple ; feUri e distempe r vfru s can Uv e br i clothing'fo r

'1 8 hour s an dai

' riieriibef

b f the'pubU c wit h an infecte d • houseca t coul deasU

y transmi t

thi s diseas e whUb'hbldin g atigief cub!^ ' : 9 . Infan t

bi g cats ! bbars ! kri dprimate s wh o ar e preiriaturel y separate dfromthef r '^•mothef s ofte n experienc e Ibri'g-term-behaviora l abnorriiaUties,'especiaU y relate dt o thei r bwr i reproductiv e behavior . Thes e impact s af e Vbr y We U estabUshe dwit h regard s t o primates , an dtha t

bod y o f evidenc e i s la f

gely appUbable t

b bi g cat s an d bear s a s weU . Indeed , bi g cat cub s an despeCiaU

y bea r cub s ar e know n t

o b e very dependent

o n f Uefr" dam s t

b lear n species-typica l adul t 'behaidors. ' 10 . - Th e threat s t

o pubUc'safety frbmhandUri g b f bi g cats , bbstrs , an dnonhuman priiriate s o f

any'ag e af

b significant ; For'example ; whe n bi g cat'cub s are peririitte dt o ' be'hari[dled,'bite s b f

scratches'tha t

af e likel y t b occu r coul dcaus e infection . I hav e ' als o sb'er

i case s where'fingwofrii-ari dpkrasites'liav e been transhaitted't b human s froiri bi g cat ' cub s durin g th e cours e o f pubh c handhng . Bear'cUb s frequentl y hav e ::,-^.:..n.;:."

' '; 'ti '-r. '

•' • 6 7• roun dworms , jwhich huma n chUdrcn^ar e particularl y susceptibl e t O due t o hand-to

mout h contact . Sinc e bea

r claw s ar e not retractable , thes e animals.pos e apubli c safet y ris k evef n a t ver y youn g ages . Pursuant to 2^U.S.C. § 1746,1 declare under penalty of

perju'iy under

the laws of

the United States of

America that

the foregoing is true and correct, based

on my own personal knowledge, and

as to those matters, 1 beheve .thens to. be ,true. ,,, ,

. Execute dthi s i5'^da y of October , 2012 , i n Paradi.se, ; Calff ^ .. . /s/ Dr. Henry M. Richardson

u , . • , ••'' r

, )

. :i . • •yy , ;. ' , ' i : ; ; ; Dr . Henry;M . Richardso n ,•. •f, . ;'-.- i ' . . .

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•• ] , . , Declaratio n o f Carole-Baski n • , . Stat e o f FlOTid a y - . - Count y o f

Hillsboroug h ,

^ ) , i • ' . •• | ' • - • ' •" , t '•' . ..-''"t i i.l'.: . ; .a . ' ' H . .1 , ; -i , 1- ) f. ^ i . •'•

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•;'^ ' : . .v;.; ? f.;.!=••,.:« •. ; . ' I I , Carol e Baski n declare'a s foUows:

- ''•^' ^ • ' ^ ' ' ' ."r.' . ''• . ' . 1 ) 1 hav e persona l knowledg e o f th e fact s set

fort h ir i thi s declaratibn . Th e fact s set fort h ar e tru e t o the , bes t

o f m y knowledg e an drecoUection . 2 ) 1 amth e founde r

o f Bi g Ca t Rescue , afaciUt y accredite db y th e Globa l Federatio n o f Anima l Sanctuarie s tha t i s on e o f th e larges t

sanctuarie s i n th e worl dfo r abuse d an dabandone dbi g cats . Bi g Ca t Rescu e currentl y house s ove r 10 0 cats , som

e o f who mwer

e formerl y use dfo r

pubh c contac t

exhibition . Bi g Ca t

Rescu e i s anonprofi t organizatio n tha t

strive s t o reduc e th e number

o f bi g cat s tha t

nee drescuin g an dt

o promot e proper car e an dgenera l weUbein g o f bi g cats . I hav e ove

r 3 0 year s o f experienc e i n larg e feU dhusbandry , beginnin g wit h m y wor k rehabUitatin g an d releasin g bobcats , an dI hav e seen numerou s USD A hcensee s engag e i n th e unscrupulou s practic e o f aUowin g pubUc contac t

wit h big

- cat s o f

variou s ages . 3 ) Ther e i s currentl y astaggerin g surplu s o f unwante dan dneglecte dbi g cat s i n th e U.S. , bu t fe w facUitie s hav e th e resource s an dcapabUitie s t o car e fo r them . A s a faciht y hcense db y USDA , Bi g Ca t Rescu e i s regularl y inspected ; throug h thes e inspection s I hav e learne do f th e deficiencie s i n USD A oversigh t of exhibitio n facihties . Fo r

example , i t

appear s t

o b e routin e practic e fo r USD A exhibitor s t

o simpl y as k

Ucensee s fo r

an inventory o f

thei r animals , a s oppose dt

o personaUy verifyin g thes e numbers . Thi s aUpw s unscrupulou s Ucenspe s t o easU y falsif y informatio n about

th e number

o f animal s the y have , whic h severel y compromise s USD A oversigh t

ove r th e rampan t

breedin g an ddeath s tha t are occurrin g a

t substandar dfaciUties , suc h a s thos e tha t engag e i n pubh c contac t exhibition . SimUarly , there hav e been instance s where th e inspecto r visitin g Bi g Ca t

Rescu e ha s informe dm

e o f infrastructur e change s tha t ar e necessar

y fo r comphance , ye t

I kno w tha t other faciUtie s are no t

requfre dt

o mee t th e sam e standards . Th e difficult y i n enforciri g th e Anima l Weffar e Ac t mean s tha t

i t i s essentia l tha t

th e agency' s regulation s ar

e a s clea r a s possibl e s o tha t

hcensee s ar

e o n notic e a s to wha t

i s expecte dfo r

comphance . r 4 ) Th e larg e surplu s o f

unwante dcat s i s due i n larg e par t t o unmanage dan d frresponsible breedin g tha t routinel y occurs , muc h o f whic h i s motivate db y th e deman dfo r

youn g animal s t

o us e i n pubh c contac t

exhibition . Prope r

car e fo r on e 6 9bi g ca t a t Bi g Ca t Rescu e requires'a'firiancia l commitflien t of appfoximatel y $10,00 0 per year . Becaus e man y adul t bi g cat s canno t

b e house dtogether , due t o thef r soUtar y natu;re , th e infrastructur e expense s t o provid e sanctuary fo r

a U thes e surplus animai s woul db e significant . Du e t

o financial constraints . Bi g Ca t Rescu e an dother accredite dsanctuarie s routinel y hav e t o refus e t o tak e i n bi g cat s wh o nee dsanctuary . A s aresult , .unwante dbi g cat s (man y o f who mwer

e use di n pubh c contac t exhibitio n unti l the y grow too large ) are ofte n sent t o substandar dfaciUtie s wit h inadequate Uvin g conditions . 

## ' i ' • • • 5 ) Becaus e youn g cub s ar e th e mos t

profitabl e fo r

exhibitors , mos t

ar e prematurel y separate dfrorn thef

r mothers . Thes e cub s ar e hand-reared , whic h 1 hav e see n resul t i n long-ter

mbehaviora l abnormahties . Fo r example . Bi g Ca t

Rescu e i s hom

e t o on e tige r who wa s separate dfromhi s mother soon afte r

birt h an dstU l suck s o n hi s paw s 1 7 year s late r

J Abnorma l suckUn g behavio r i s common i n hand-reare dcat s an di s likel y acopin g mechanis mfo r materna l deprivation . A t leas t tw b othe f adul t exoti c cat s a t Bi g Ca t Rescu e who wer

e hand-reare ddispla y simUa r abnorma l behavior . 6 ) Facihtie s engage di n pubU c contac t exhibitio n ofte n ar

e motivate dprimarU y b y commercial interest s an dofte n fa U t o provid e adequat

e car e t o thei r animals . Man y ofth e bi g cats ; w

e receiv e suffe r

long-ter mhealt h problem s resultin g fro mpreviou s substandar dcare . Fo r

example , wea

k bone s an dearl y bUndnes s ar e commo n effect s w e se e resultin g frompoo

r nutrition , suc h a s diet s to o hig h i n sugar . Bi g cat s use di n pubh c contact

i exhibitio n ar

e als o frequently expose dt o stress-inducin g traveUn g between location s wher

e pubh c contac t

exhibitio n occurs . Transportin g bi g cat s fo r pubh c contac t

exhibitio n i s an unnecessar y ris k t o th e healt h o f

th e animal . Whe n Bi g Ca t Rescu e receive s bi g cats , i t ofte n take s week s or

even month s fo r

th e ca t t o recove r fromtransport

an dadjus t

t o it s new envfronmen t

an dbegi n eatin g properly . Whe n pubh c contac t

exhibitor s frequentl y shuffl e bi g cat s aroun dth e country t o differen t exhibitio n locations , th e animal s never ge t th e opportunity t

o adjus t t o thei r surrounding s an dar

e thu s under

constan t stress . I • I 7) Bi g Ca t

Rescu e doe s no t

aUo w contac t between ou r

cat s an dth e pubUc . Althoug h we d o not receive ! th e cat s untU the y ar e older (Ukely becaus e youn g animal s ar e mor e profitable) , w

b d o not aUo w direc t pubUc contac t

wit h bi g cat s a

t an y ag e du e t o th e anima l weffar e an dpubUc safety risks . Eve n sma U cub s ar e capabl e o f

breakin g fingers due t

o thei r powerfu l jaws , makin g pubh c contac t wit h bi g cat s o f

an y age dangerous . ! Pursuan t t o 2 6 U.S.C . § 1746, 1 declar e under penalty of

perjur y under

th e law s of

th e Unite dState s of

Americ athat

the foregoin g i s tru e an dcorrect , base do n m y ow n persona l knowledge , an da s toi thos e matters , I beUev e the mto b

e true . ! 7 0; > .. . Execute dthi s 1'7" ' da y o f Qctp]ber , ;2012,.in.Tampa, . Florida. :

.. . i - , Carol e Baski n '0

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"^i ^ TH E HUMAN E SOCIET Y - ' ' " O F TH E UNITE D STATE S Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty 210 0 L Street , N W Washingto n D C 2003 7 humanesociety.org

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