CFR

CFR

15.24—Permits for cooperative breeding.

(a) Application requirements for permits for cooperative breeding. Each application shall provide the following information and such other information that the Director may require:

(1) A description of the exotic bird(s) to be imported, including:

(i) The common and scientific names of the species, number, age or age class, and, when known, sex; and

(ii) A statement as to whether, at the time of the application, the exotic bird is still in the wild, has already been removed from the wild, or was bred in captivity;

(2) If the exotic bird is still in the wild or was taken from the wild include;

(i) The country and region where the removal will occur or occurred;

(ii) A description of the status of the species in the region of removal; and

(iii) A copy of any foreign collecting permit or authorizing letter, if applicable;

(3) If the exotic bird was bred in captivity, include;

(i) Documents or other evidence that the bird was bred in captivity, including the name and address of the breeder, when known, the identity of the parental birds and hatch date; and

(ii) If the applicant is not the breeder, documentation showing the bird was acquired from the breeder and a history of multiple transactions, if applicable;

(4) A statement of the reasons the applicant is justified in obtaining a permit, and a statement detailing the applicant's participation in a cooperative breeding program approved under section 15.26 of this chapter, including;

(i) Copies of any signed agreements or protocols with the monitoring avicultural, conservation, or zoological organization overseeing the program; and

(ii) Applicable records of the cooperative breeding program of any other birds imported, their progeny, and their disposition;

(5) A complete description of the relationship of the exotic bird to the approved cooperative breeding program, including;

(i) A statement of the role of the exotic bird in a breeding protocol;

(ii) A plan for maintaining a self-sustaining captive population of the exotic bird species;

(iii) Details on recordkeeping; and

(iv) Plans for disposition of the exotic birds and any progeny produced during the course of this program.

(6) A statement outlining the applicant's attempts to obtain the exotic bird in a manner that would not cause its removal from the wild, and attempts to obtain the specimens of the exotic bird species from stock available in the United States;

(7) A description of the care and maintenance of the exotic bird, and how the facility meets professionally recognized standards, including;

(i) The name and address of the facility where the exotic bird will be maintained;

(ii) Dimensions of existing enclosures for birds to be imported and number of birds to be housed in each; and

(iii) Husbandry practices;

(8) A history of the applicant's past participation in cooperative breeding programs with the same or similar species, including;

(i) Breeding and inventory records for at least the last two years;

(ii) Hatching, survival, and mortality records;

(iii) Causes of any mortalities and efforts made to correct any problems.

(b) Issuance criteria. Upon receiving an application completed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the Director will decide whether or not a permit should be issued. In making this decision, the Director shall consider, in addition to the general criteria in part 13 of this subchapter, the following factors;

(1) Whether the cooperative breeding program is adequate to justify removing the exotic bird from the wild or otherwise changing its status;

(2) Whether the proposed import would be detrimental to the survival of the exotic bird species in the wild, including whether the exotic bird was bred in captivity or was (or will be) taken from the wild, taking into consideration the conservation status of the species in the wild;

(3) Whether the cooperative breeding program for which the permit is required would be likely to enhance or promote the conservation of the exotic bird species in the wild or result in a self-sustaining population of the exotic bird species in captivity; and

(4) Whether the expertise, facilities, or other resources available to the applicant appear adequate for proper care and maintenance of the exotic birds and to successfully accomplish the cooperative breeding objectives stated in the application.

(c) Permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter, every permit issued under this section shall be subject to special conditions as the Director may deem appropriate.

(d) Duration of permits. The duration of the import permits issued under this section shall be designated on the face of the permit, but in no case will these permits be valid for longer than one year.