FWS Lists All Chimpanzees as Endangered, Ending Special Treatment for Zoo Animals

The Fish and Wildlife Service is removing exceptions for captive chimpanzees from certain Endangered Species Act restrictions (here). The agency’s final rule ends the separate status of captive chimpanzees, which had previously been classified as threatened while wild chimpanzees were listed as endangered. The final rule also removes captive chimpanzees from a 4(d) rule exempting certain primates from the general prohibitions of the Endangered Species Act. The final rule takes effect Sept. 14, at which point all chimpanzees will be listed as endangered.