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Darby Holladay (301) 734-3265
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS’ SPACE AND LIVING CONDITIONS
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today seeks public comment on the space and living conditions for captive elephants. All elephants held by circuses, exhibitors or zoos are regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and must have a USDA exhibitor’s license.
The comments will assist APHIS in determining whether specific standards are needed in the AWA for captive elephants’ space and living conditions and what those standards should be.
Specifically, APHIS invites responses to the following questions:
- What are the causes of arthritis in elephants?
- What, if any, foot care practices have been used on captive elephants to maintain healthy feet?
- What floors are best for captive elephants? Are there any flooring conditions that promote foot problems?
- Do captive elephants require a certain amount of exercise (i.e., walking) to maintain healthy feet?
- What industry/professional standards are available for elephant care and husbandry?
- Are there any other health or care issues related to elephants that should be specifically addressed in the AWA standards?
The AWA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to set standards and regulations governing the humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research facilities, exhibitors, carriers and intermediate handlers.
Notice of this action is scheduled for publication in the Aug. 9 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Oct. 10. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0044, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov and, in the “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu; then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0044 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web siteand may also be viewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:40 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.
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