---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:57:09 -0500
Subject: Publication of a 90-day finding on a petition to list the African lion as endangered under the ESA



I am writing to inform you that today, November 27, 2012, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the African lion (*Panthera leo leo*) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing this subspecies may be warranted.
Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a review of the status of the subspecies to determine if listing the African lion as endangered is warranted. To ensure that this status review is comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding this subspecies. Based on the status review, we will issue a 12-month finding on the petition, which will address whether the petitioned action is warranted, as provided in section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act. Please visit www.regulations.gov, *Docket No. FWS-R9-ES-2012-0025 to view the 90-day finding, or **
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/F...l/2012-28310.htm**.*

Under the Act, a species may be determined to be an endangered or threatened species due to one or more of the following five factors: (a) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species habitat or range; (b) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (c) disease or predation; (d) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, and (e) other natural or manmade factors affecting the continued existence of the species.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at Amy_Brisendine@fws.gov.

--

Amy Brisendine, Biologist
Branch of Foreign Species
Endangered Species Program
U.S. Fish and Wildilfe Service
Arlington, VA 22203
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/...-activities.html>

So Lane - in layman's terms - what does this mean as far as hunting lions for the next 6 months, 1 year, etc.?

Yes, please explain if you can, as I have a lioness hunt in the Bubye Conservancy scheduled for 2014.

Lane, I certainly don't want to sound self centered as the overriding issue is of great concern to all of us. However, I do have a lion trophy being prepared for import and don't want to be caught up in the same fiasco as the polar bear hunters. I take it, I should get that lion through to the US ASAP!

all the more reason to stick together , hunt ethically , keep great records and have facts about the populations and viability of the rescource when we need it , PHs need to come together on this and get trail cams and acurate reports so that an accurate response can be prepared for their areas over the next year ...just saying "there are lots" wont cut it .it needs to be backed up with good solid numbers -

thats just my feeling on it ...

So, what can a "John Doe" like me do to help?

As Ivan mentions, the hunting community must help provide all the info they can - it is important!

First it will be the lion, next will be the leopard, then the elephant, and go on down the list. Shameful, but not surprising. Sadly, the biggest loser would be the LION, should the up-listing come to pass!!!

I first predicted the end of Lion hunting approximately 12 years ago. It's taken a bit longer than I anticipated, nevertheless this is now where we find ourselves. No joy, to be sure.

And I agree completely with my friend Aaron Neilson; this is only the beginning. Just look at what's now happening in Botswana and Zambia.

Todd - I would counsel you to get that Lion home ASAP. There is no reason to believe the USF&W will be any more accommodating to African Lion than they have been with legally taken Polar Bear trophies. Pay extra to get it to the front of the line, if necessary.

Lane

if there is a get-together and discussion at DSC count me in.

So, what can be done to prevent this?

Greg

http://www.regulations.gov/#!d...=FWS-R9-ES-2012-0025

I submitted a comment

Dr. Packer weighed in heavily for this. His frustration with Lion Hunting outfits was palpable. Too bad as he might win this and lose the remaining habitat (and the lion).

I am not sure what it means right now. Aaron and I knew we had a window of time to try and prevent...however it was an up-hill battle for us trying to drag everyone along kicking and screaming.

Unfortunately...we still do not have a lot of good to show for ourselves. Tanzania did not make a good showing with the new law and many young dead lions showed up on the internet again.

Had we had a better 2012...things might be different.

I think a get together at DSC would be good...but we had one last year at SCI and nothing ended up really getting done.

Ivan's comments are spot on. We as hunters must begin to ONLY shoot the right lion (if we even get to keep the privilege) and we must implement seriuous conservation efforts.

I have been so busy with work this last 6 months...I have not really kept up. As I know more...I will post.

I am sure...the LCTF will try and submit a response by the January 28, 2013 deadline.

Sad situation indeed. Even though I have never had a desire to hunt an African Lion, I think those that do should not be robbed of that opportunity.

I think none of this comes as a real suprise to those that have been working the hardest to keep it from happening, and the addest part i, as many of those folks have stated, this listing will be the act that will bring about the extinction of the lion in Africa. As someone else stated, this opens the door to bring about the end of hunting for rhino/elephant/leopard and so on down the line.

Lane, Arron and all of you that have put forth the effort to bring about common sense management for the Lion and prevent it extinction, you have fought the good fight and the hunting world owes you much Thanks for your efforts, maybe someone in power will open their eyes and ears before it is too late to the voices of reason, and not enact the legislation that will bring about the total loss of a magnificent species.

My hat is off to all of you that have worked so hard to save the lion.

I wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not.

The timing of this is also not amusing.

So, Lane, you were saying how Dr. Packer was one of our friends? With friends like him, who needs enemies? Heck, the regulatory changes have not even been in effect long enough to determine what they have done over 1 year yet.

I will be giving some $$$ to Conservation Force to hopefully stop this nonsense.