97-23516. Emergency Exemption: Issuance

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 47040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23516]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Emergency Exemption: Issuance

    On August 21, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
issued a permit (PRT-833379) to the Buffalo Zoo (Zoo), Buffalo, New 
York to export a female gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) to the Granby Zoo in 
Granby, Quebec, Canada. The 30-day public comment period required by 
section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act was waived. The Service 
determined that an emergency affecting the health and life of the 
gorilla existed and that no reasonable alternative was available to the 
applicant, for the following reasons:
    a. The Buffalo Zoo applied for an export permit for the female 
gorilla who is suddenly not compatible with the gorilla social groups 
at the Zoo. The Zoo has only one gorilla facility with three social 
groups. Although she would like to be with the primary male, she has 
been rejected by the other females who have attained a higher status 
than she. She has taken her ostracism poorly and will not fit in with 
the other two groups. She has caused injuries to the other animals in 
all three groups.
    b. The Zoo is currently confining her to one of the four holding 
areas available. Because of the facility's configuration, she is still 
in close proximity to the other animals. This proximity is harming her 
psychologically; she is no longer eating, and is suffering physically.
    c. The Granby Zoo, which had loaned this gorilla to the Buffalo 
Zoo, has offered to have her return.

    Dated: August 29, 1997.
Mary Ellen Amtower,
Acting Chief, Branch of Permits, Office of Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 97-23516 Filed 9-4-97; 8:45 am]
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