Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!tivoli!lark
From: lark@tivoli.UUCP (Lar Kaufman)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: How do I preserve the skeleton of a dead bird?
Message-ID: <293@tivoli.UUCP>
Date: 11 Jan 91 17:06:31 GMT
References: <8483@pbhyf.PacBell.COM> <1991Jan10.150219.8638@oz.plymouth.edu>
Reply-To: lark@tivoli.UUCP (Lar Kaufman)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Tivoli Systems Inc., Austin, TX
Lines: 39

Since I've seen two postings about the legality of keeping parts of these 
critters, I see the need to add a caveat.  The original author _did_ say 
he didn't know the species of the dead bird...

It is not illegal to capture, keep, or possess living, dead, or parts of 
introduced species.  If the dead bird is, for example, a starling, you 
can do whatever you want with it.  There are some exceptions to the 
exception (of course).  Under international regulations intended to 
protect endangered species, it may be illegal to _trade_ in a protected 
endangered species.  The actual restriction would be dependent on the 
laws of the "home" country or countries from which the bird originated.  
Thus, if your dead bird were a rare parrot, whether you could keep it 
(parts of it) or not would depend on whether it was introduced into 
this country legally, I suppose...

As you can imagine, enforcement of the Lacey Act (which I believe is the 
source for the previous postings) is sometimes difficult.  Since the 
purpose of the act is to protect native species, an individual is unlikely 
to encounter difficulties unless actual trade in a protected species takes
place.  If you shoot a duck and have it stuffed, it is extremely unlikely 
that you will be challenged to produce documentation that you shot it 
legally and can prove it was taken legally.  On the other hand, if the 
authorities discover that you are making a living selling stuffed ducks, 
you may be in deep waters.

I use stuffed ducks only as a convenient example.  Actually, the most 
threatened species from illegal collecting in the USA are probably Bald 
and Golden Eagles, and bears of all species.  (I may be wrong on this.) 
Eagle feathers are used (often legally) in religious ceremonies of American 
Indians, and thus they are also in demand by new-age imitators.  Bears are 
killed for their gall bladders which are in tremendous demand in the far east
(for potency problems, or as aphrodisiacs, or something).

-lar
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