29 



to have a permit is to be able to guarantee that the transport proc- 

 ess is sufficiently sensitive to the needs of the mammal? 



Mr. Prescott. The needs of the mammal are firmly covered by 

 the Animal Welfare Act. Under the Animal Welfare Act all exhibit 

 animals and research animals are covered. We have an agency, in 

 the case of the National Marine Fisheries Service, that appears to 

 be broadening the scope of its activities. 



Senator Kerry. So, you just think it is unnecessary? 



Mr. Prescott. I believe it is unnecessary the way it is going 

 today, yes, sir. We have had breeding seasons missed waiting for 

 a letter of authorization to move an animal. A rehabilitated strand- 

 ed animal was in isolation for 12 months awaiting agency decision. 

 And one agency attempted to require transport of seals in wire 

 mesh cages which is inhumane and a violation of another agency's 

 regulations. 



In a final example, an agency asked me to care for and find 

 homes at a defimct institution. Despite the fact that the agency 

 owned the animals, it took 5 months to finish processing the trans- 

 fer papers. While waiting for the agency to act we were forced to 

 move animals to prevent deaths from winter cold — 30 days later, 

 we received the final authorization. This experience cost $150,000, 

 fiinds which could be better used to fulfill our mission of conserva- 

 tion, education, and research. 



Mr. Chairman, the MMPA is a good law. It does need some modi- 

 fication. And to answer any of your questions you might have, I 

 have behind me a panel of experts which I can introduce at the ap- 

 propriate time. Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Prescott follows:] 



Prepared Statement of John Prescott 



The 159 accredited members of the American Association of zoological Parks and 

 Aquariums ("AAZPA") and the 26 members of the Alliance of NIarine Mammal 

 Parks and Aquariums ("Alliance") represent Zoos, aquariums and scientific research 

 facilities which further the goals and objectives oi marine mammal conservation 

 through the public display of, and research regarding, marine mammals. In 1991, 

 over 115 million people visited Alliance and AAZPA iacilities. The Alliance and the 

 AAZPA strongly support the Marine Mammal Protection Act ("MMPA") and appre- 

 ciate this opportunity to share information about our members' educational, re- 

 search, and stranding rescue programs and to discuss the MMPA. 



I. THE PUBLIC DISPLAY AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTES TO 



MARINE MAMMAL CONSERVATION 



A. Education 



To the millions of people who visit our facilities, we offer an otherwise unattain- 

 able learning opportunity. MUlions of people walk away from our facilities with a 

 strong and determined interest in assuring that marine mammals are safe and pro- 

 tected in the wild. Visitors learn about the importance of conservation, responsible 

 human behavior, principles of ecology, animal communication, and natural behav- 

 iors. 



Zoological parks and aquariums serve as learning centers for the 115 million peo- 

 ple who visit our facilities every year. Eight million schoolchildren visit zoos and 

 aquariums as part of their school year curriculum, and another 13 million adults 

 and children take part in formal and informal education programs. Another 8-9 mil- 

 lion will have the opportunity this year alone to benefit from a new and progressive 

 educational satellite television series. Using cable television one facility aired eight 

 programs during the 1992-93 school year which featured live host educators, up 

 close footage of marine mammals, interviews with marine mammal experts and the 

 opportunity for students to ask questions using a toll free number. In addition to 

 these programs, 25,000 teachers are given in-service training by zoos and aquar- 



70-912 0-94-3 



