New Jersey`s recent law restricting the ivory trade covers mammoths, mastodons and walruses. Other states may have similar laws. States may enact laws that are stricter than federal laws, but no less stringent. Compliance with federal laws does not exempt a person from being subject to state law. Agreeing on state laws can (and is) more restrictive than federal laws. The question I am asking is whether any state has made illegal the ownership of a mammoth, a mastodon and a walrus previously owned. That would be really amazing and I think it`s the source of endless complaints. Sperm whale – An endangered species regulated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Imports for commercial purposes have been prohibited since 1973. Interstate sale of pre-act teeth registered with scrimshaw is permitted under a special federal permit.
Teeth not registered before the act can no longer be registered and cannot be transported across international borders for commercial purposes. They can be sold domestically as long as state law does not prohibit it. Antique Scrimshaw (100 years and older) can be sold interstate. WALRUS (non-fossil) – Regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Raw walrus ivory dating from before the law of December 21, 1972, tusks bearing the registration tags for walrus ivory from the State of Alaska or walrus ivory carved or carved by an Alaskan native (Eskimo) can be legally purchased, possessed and sold. Raw walrus ivory purchased after 12/21/72 is not legal to buy or sell unless both parties are Eskimo (it is legal to possess). A $30 export permit is required to ship walrus ivory or oosik (legal as above) from the United States. ASIAN ELEPHANT – On the list of threatened species of the United States and the C.I.T.E.S. The import, purchase, and sale of Asian elephant ivory is not permitted internationally or interstately in the United States.
I`m in Japan and I`ve seen sperm whale teeth for sale. It was a small shop, but on a very famous street four tourist souvenirs, so I guess it`s believable? But by doing a quick search, I found that there are international laws that prohibit the trade in sperm whale parts. Has Japan signed the agreements on these laws or is it exempt? Would it be acceptable to buy the teeth and bring them from Japan? Thank you very much! I always investigate fossilized ivory and the laws that govern it on the Internet. A product is an item that consists wholly or partially of a marine mammal or protected species (e.g., fur seal coat, scrimshaw sperm whale tooth, baleen corset). Can you be more specific? I own parts of marine mammals – many of them. Fossils of dolphins, porpoises and whale teeth. O see many places on the internet selling 19th century sperm whale teeth that contain scrimshaw. IN THE UNITED STATES – Trade in wildlife products is regulated at the state and federal levels.
Interstate (interstate) trade in wildlife products in the United States is governed by the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1972 by the U.S. Department of the Interior/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, administered by the National Marine Fisheries Service. A review of the Federal Wildlife Act in the following paragraphs. Each state has a department for fishing and wildlife or wildlife in the state capital. Check with your state`s wildlife officials before purchasing wildlife products for resale (private property is not restricted). To learn more about your state`s wildlife laws, call the State Department of Fish and Game – Law Enforcement Division in your capital. AFRICAN ELEPHANT – On the C.I.T.E.S. list of threatened species.
The import, purchase and sale of African elephant ivory is not permitted internationally. It cannot be imported or exported to the United States or virtually any other country in the world. It is legal to possess, buy, sell or ship to the United States, and there are no permits or registration requirements (these were required for importation into the United States). The raw elephant ivory available now is all the old «domain» ivory that was legally imported years ago. I have researched this and can confirm that the sale and purchase of sperm whales is legal in Japan. So if you buy something there, there`s nothing to worry about in Japan. But returning to your country can be another story. Sperm whale teeth such as elephant tusks or wild boar tusks are part of the CITES list and are regulated by the 1973 Washington Convention.
I`m not sure about Japan, but in the United States, based on very different laws on interstate trade, you can buy 19th century whale teeth, usually carved as scrimshaw. across state borders in their raw form (they must be carved, engraved or carved). What, did the legislators fear that someone was chasing them away, had brought them to extinction? Because I am fossils, I have news for them. Haha! Species Act of 1973 under SEC.10, (f)(1)(A)(ii), (f)(6)(D); and (h) (1)(A). Return from 1972 (1872 or older). This ivory can be legally bought and sold across state borders in HIPPOPOTAMUS & WARTHOG – Protected but not Endangered. Once imported into the United States, no permits or documents are required to buy or sell this interstate ivory. Hippos are dangerous animals and a serious problem in many parts of Africa.
They are responsible for more human deaths per year than crocodiles and venomous snakes combined. Populations are often thinned by government logging operations. Meat, skins and ivory are used. Warthogs are also very common and are hunted as food. A $30 export permit is required to ship this ivory from the United States. Good question. I`m not sure, but I doubt the average collector has any reason to worry. Law enforcement can barely handle serious crimes, let alone possess a whale tooth.
Passing a law is one thing, enforcing it is another. Get this from the net: It seems that the illegal act is not to sell for the sake of owning. MAMMOTH & MASTODON- Although these are two different types of ancient elephants, cut ivory is the same.