Fish and Wildlife proposes tougher measures for trade in big cats

Fish and Wildlife proposes tougher measures for trade in big cats    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a regulation to strengthen controls on shipments of large exotic cats, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and jaguars.
   The agency said the proposed rule are in line with the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which Congress enacted in 2003.
   The new rule amends the Lacey Act and would make it illegal to import, export, buy, sell, transport, receive and acquire these cats unless certain exceptions are met.
   Fish and Wildlife said the ownership of large cats in the United States has increased substantially in recent years largely because of Internet sales and auctions.
   “This increase in popularity has raised concerns for public safety as well as for the welfare of the big cats,” the agency said.
   For more information about the proposed rule, contact Kevin Garlick of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Law Enforcement in Arlington, Va., at (703) 358-1949.