The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2024

M OST OF US GO THROUGH OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES without a second thought to the laws impacting the wildlife around us. Whether we find an injured animal on the road, take an annual hunting trip or fish at the local pond, various state and federal laws come into play. This article is not, in any way, a comprehensive guide to all those laws. It is merely a vehicle to help the reader consider which items they may not know that they do not know. “Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our county has been blessed.” 1

four birds (two endangered, two threatened) six clams (four endangered, two threatened) five fish (one endangered, four threatened) one flowering plant (endangered) one insect (threatened) four mammals (endangered) one reptile (threatened) 5 The Endangered Species Act provides for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can be assessed at up to $500, $12,000 or $25,000 per violation, depending on the violation. 6 Criminal violations incur fines of not more than $25,000,

imprisonment of not more than six months or both. 7 Rewards shall be paid “to any person who furnishes information which leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of property for any violation of this chapter or any regulation issued hereunder.” 8 Private citizen suits are also allowed as a means of enforce ment under certain circumstances. 9 BALD AND GOLDEN EAGLE PROTECTION ACT The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act 10 was enacted June 8, 1940. The act prohibits the unlaw ful taking, possessing, selling, purchasing, bartering; offering to

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT No article about wildlife would be complete without a discussion about endangered species. The Endangered Species Act 2 just celebrated its 50th anniversary. The act was established for the conservation of fish, wildlife and plants listed as threatened or endangered. 3 As of Dec. 25, 2023, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) listed 1,482 animals as endangered or threatened in the United States. 4 Of those, the system reflected 22 species or populations believed to or known to occur in Oklahoma, made up as follows:

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

MARCH 2024 | 15

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL