Notification - specimen collection (private sector)

OMB Control No. 1018-0095

Expires: XX/XX/2017

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EXPERIMENTAL POPULATIONS OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has established “experimental populations” for some listed species as a tool for creating additional populations to protect the species against a catastrophic loss (due to a hurricane for example).

It is important that we have information on any injuries, mortalities (including human-related), recovery of dead specimens, animal husbandry actions necessary to manage the population, and other types of take (including harm or harassment). Therefore, we request that members of the public and Federal, State, and local agencies report information regarding incidents related to take of individuals of experimental populations. Our regulations at Subpart H contain information on each experimental population, including instructions (telephone numbers, etc.) for reporting take. The Office of Management and Budget has given us approval to collect:

• Name, address, and phone number of reporting party.

• Species involved.

• Type of incident.

• Quantity of take (under the ESA “take” includes harm, harass, and other nonlethal activities that may harm the listed species involved).

• Location and time of reported incident.

• Description of the circumstances related to the incident.

We use this information to:

• Document the locations of reintroduced animals.

• Improve management techniques for reintroduction of listed species.

• Determine causes of illness, injury, or mortality.

• Evaluate conflict with human activities so that we can minimize conflicts with people and livestock.

• Assess the effectiveness of control activities to reduce problems where depredation is an issue.

Note: We may refer the reported information to our law enforcement officers or other appropriate authorities for further investigation.

If you have any questions on reporting take of individuals of experimental populations, please call the number listed in Subpart H or 703-358-2171 in the Headquarters Office.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. The Endangered Species Act authorizes us to collect information on the take of endangered species. We use the information to manage the population. We estimate that it will take most individuals no longer than 30 minutes to report the information, which includes time for gathering and maintaining the information. You may send comments on any aspect of this information collection to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (MS-BPHC), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22041.