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The Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits the import, export, or taking of wildlife and plants listed as threatened or endangered species. Some activities that might otherwise be prohibited are exempt. Other activities are allowed with specific permits.
It is illegal to harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any threatened or endangered wildlife within the United States. This applies to live and dead animals or plants. For endangered species, permits may be issued for scientific research, enhancement of propagation or survival, and taking that is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity. For threatened species, permits also may be issued for zoological, horticultural, or botanical exhibition; educational use; and special purposes consistent with the ESA. An individual, landowner, or corporation of any kind may need a permit.
Depending on the species involved, other requirements may need to be met under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MTBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), Wild Bird Conservation Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Lacey Act, and state or local laws.
There are three steps to determine if you or your organization needs an ESA permit.
There are various types of permits issued by USFWS regarding protected species: