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Proposed Rule2024-263952024-11-21

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Giraffe

Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month finding on a petition to list the giraffe (including its subspecies) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that the following listing actions are warranted: We propose to list all three subspecies of the northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)--the West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta), the Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum), and the Nubian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis)--as endangered species under Act. We also propose to list the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) and the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), both from east Africa, as threatened species with protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"). After a thorough review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that, based on the Act's section 4(a)(1) factors, it is not warranted at this time to list either subspecies of the southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)--the Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis) and the South African giraffe (Giraffa giraffa giraffa)--but we are proposing, under the authority of section 4(e) of the Act, to treat both of these subspecies as threatened species based on their similarity of appearance to the West African giraffe, Kordofan giraffe, Nubian giraffe, reticulated giraffe, and Masai giraffe. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add all giraffes to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, under the authority of either section 4(a)(1) or 4(e) of the Act, and extend the Act's protections to these taxa.

Action & Dates

Action
Proposed rule.
Dates
Comments on the proposed rule: We will accept comments on the proposals in this document that are received or postmarked on or before February 19, 2025. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on the closing date. We must receive requests for a public hearing, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by January 6, 2025.

CFR References

Topics

Endangered and threatened speciesExportsImportsPlantsReporting and recordkeeping requirementsTransportationWildlife

Public Comment

Comments Close
2025-02-19

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2024-0157; FXES1111090FEDR-256-FF09E21000] RIN 1018-BH64 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month finding on a petition to list the giraffe (including its subspecies) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that the following listing actions are warranted: We propose to list all three subspecies of the northern giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis )—the West African giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis peralta ), the Kordofan giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum ), and the Nubian giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis )—as endangered species under Act. We also propose to list the reticulated giraffe ( Giraffa reticulata ) and the Masai giraffe ( Giraffa tippelskirchi ), both from east Africa, as threatened species with protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the Act (“4(d) rule”). After a thorough review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that, based on the Act's section 4(a)(1) factors, it is not warranted at this time to list either subspecies of the southern giraffe ( Giraffa giraffa )—the Angolan giraffe ( Giraffa giraffa angolensis ) and the South African giraffe (

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Full Document

Citation: 89 FR 92524