USFWS - International Affairs - Division of Management and Scientific Authority

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Statement
Three African Antelope Species Final Rule


Photo Caption: Addax. Credit: Louisville Zoo

On September 2, 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) added three African antelope species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) — the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle. At the same time, the Service published a new regulation providing an exclusion from the requirement to obtain a permit or other authorization for carrying out certain otherwise prohibited activities with these three species, such as hunting on a private ranch or game operation.

The Service recognizes the important contribution captive breeding has made to the continued survival of these species, which have been removed from (in the case of the oryx) or greatly reduced in numbers in the wild. Many game ranches within the United States have been breeding and maintaining these species on their properties and, as a result of strong management practices, have offered hunting of these species as a way to manage the size and health of their herds.

However, as a result of a Court ruling, the Service published a final rule on January 5, 2012, to eliminate the regulation that authorized certain otherwise prohibited activities under the ESA with U.S. captive-bred animals and sport-hunted trophies of three endangered African antelope species. The regulation being eliminated had excluded these three antelope species from permitting requirements as long as certain conditions were met. The new regulation goes into effect on April 4, 2012, at which point the three antelope species will be treated the same as all other captive-bred endangered species in the United States. Individuals in the United States who possess these three antelope species and wish to carry out otherwise prohibited activities, including interstate or foreign commerce, import, export, culling or other forms of take, must obtain a permit or other authorization from the Service. (see more information on who should obtain a permit)

The ESA does not prohibit possession. Individuals do not need a permit from the Service for private ownership or breeding. However, it is a violation of federal law to take (cull or kill) any of these three antelope species, unless the primary purpose of such activity is to enhance the propagation or survival of the species and the Service has authorized it. This means that an individual cannot decide to eliminate a herd through lethal means under the misconception that the change in regulation would adversely affect ranching operations.

The Service is providing this extended 90-day effective date of the regulation change to give affected communities additional time before the rule goes into effect on April 4, 2012. The agency is actively working to streamline the permitting process and minimize any burden on the public with regard to issuing permits and authorizations for activities under the ESA. Working together we can ensure that United States ranches continue in the long tradition of wildlife conservation for the benefit of these endangered species.

Photo Caption: Scimitar-horned oryx
Credit: National Zoo

Three Antelope Species Newsroom

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule to eliminate a regulation that authorized certain otherwise prohibited activities under the Endangered Species Act with U.S. captive-bred animals and sport-hunted trophies of three endangered African antelope species — the scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle. The regulation being eliminated had excluded these three species from permitting requirements as long as certain conditions were met.

Final Rule

Final Rule Fact Sheet

Proposed Rule