A. Federal regulations and governing agencies
1. All activities concerning animals in the United States are governed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC).
2. The USFWS issues Special Purpose Possession permits for the rescue and rehabilitation of birds.
3. All marine mammals, including stranded animals, are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972. The MMPA is jointly administered by the NMFS and the USFWS. This Act, with certain limited exemptions including enhancement, public display, and research, prohibits the taking and importing of marine mammals and marine mammal parts and products (MMPA).
a. The MMPA is enforced by the NMFS with regard to whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. The NMFS, through the Secretary of Commerce, has issued letters of authorization to the SeaWorld parks in California, Florida, and Texas that allow them to rescue and rehabilitate these stranded marine animals.
b. Under the MMPA, walruses, sea otters, polar bears, dugongs, and manatees are regulated by the USFWS. 4. Some marine mammals, including California sea otters and Florida manatees, also are protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This Act prohibits taking, importing, or exporting any species designated as endangered by the Secretary of the Interior.
B. State regulations
1. Some state governments require permits for rescuing and rehabilitating certain animals. These permits are issued to the SeaWorld parks in California, Florida, Ohio, and Texas.
2. SeaWorld of California works with California Fish and Game and other agencies in retrieving animals.
3. The Marine Turtle Program of The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rescues stranded sea turtles. Many are turned over to SeaWorld for rehabilitation. These turtles are released when they are healthy
4. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 protects the endangered Florida manatee from harm and harassment. In cooperation with the USFWS, the Act sets up refuges, establishes boat speed zones, and oversees other areas of human/manatee interaction.
Objectives of the Rehabilitation
Program|What Is a Stranded Animal? |Various Reasons for Stranding |Rescue, Diagnosis, and Treatment |Facilities and Equipment
|Rehabilitated Animals |Results of the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program |Federal and State Regulations |Benefits of the Rescue and Rehabilitation Program |References and Bibliography |Books for Young Readers
Return to SeaWorld Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database
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