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HR 181

To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Tom McClintock

HR 181 eliminates legal distinctions between captive-bred and wild endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act, affecting conservation policy and commercial breeding operations.

Introduced in House
0
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Bill Summary · HR 181

Legislative bill overview

HR 181 would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to treat artificially propagated (captive-bred or farm-raised) animals the same as naturally propagated (wild) animals under federal protections. This means captive-bred endangered species would receive equivalent legal protections and potentially face the same trade restrictions as their wild counterparts, or conversely, could allow more permissive treatment of captive populations compared to current law.

Why this is important

The ESA currently distinguishes between wild and captive-bred animals in some circumstances, allowing certain controlled breeding and limited commercial use of captive animals. This bill could fundamentally reshape endangered species management by either strengthening protections for all populations or loosening restrictions on commercial breeding operations. It affects industries like exotic pet trade, zoos, aquaculture, and pharmaceutical research that rely on captive populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Commercial breeding incentives: Critics worry this could incentivize large-scale commercial breeding of endangered species for profit, potentially undermining conservation of wild populations
  • Regulatory consistency questions: Unclear whether "same treatment" means stricter protections for captive animals or relaxed restrictions, creating ambiguity in implementation
  • Conservation strategy debate: Conservationists argue captive breeding is a supplement to—not replacement for—wild habitat protection and species recovery programs
  • International trade implications: Could affect existing international treaties (CITES) that manage endangered species trade differently based on origin

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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