Handling, Training, and Exhibition of Potentially Dangerous Exotic or Wild Animals

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 97-001-2]

Handling, Training, and Exhibition of Potentially Dangerous

Exotic or Wild Animals

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of reopening and extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are reopening and extending the comment period for our

notice requesting information concerning what practices are currently

used for handling and training potentially dangerous exotic or wild

[[Page 49469]]

animals used in exhibition (such as, but not limited to, elephants,

lions, or tigers), and what training and experience levels trainers and

handlers of such animals have. This reopening and extension will

provide interested groups and individuals with additional time to

prepare comments on the request for information.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments on Docket No. 97-

001-1 that are received on or before November 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to

Docket No. 97-001-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS,

Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please

state that your comments refer to Docket No. 97-001-1. Comments

received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th

Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8:00 a.m.

and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing

to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to

facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Smith, Staff Animal Health

Technician, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD

20737-1234, (301) 734-7833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On July 24, 1997, we published in the Federal Register (62 FR

39802, Docket No. 97-001-1) a notice requesting information concerning

the training and handling of potentially dangerous wild and exotic

animals used in exhibition in order to obtain a better understanding of

the issues pertaining to their welfare.

Comments on the request for information were required to be

received on or before September 22, 1997. We received two requests to

extend the period during which comments will be accepted. The requests

were from an animal welfare organization and an industry association.

In response, we are reopening and extending the comment period on

Docket No. 97-001-1 for an additional 45 days. This action will allow

interested groups and individuals additional time to prepare and submit

comments.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(g).

Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of September 1997.

Craig A. Reed,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 97-25069 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P