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International Species Conservation Funds
Pervaze A. Sheikh
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
M. Lynne Corn
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
January 18, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RS21157
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
c11173008

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International Species Conservation Funds

nternational species conservation is addressed by several funds, including those under the
Multinational Species Conservation Fund (MSCF) and the Neotropical Migratory Bird
I Conservation Fund (NMBCF). This report provides a brief overview of MSCF and NMBCF
and their funding and legislative status.
Multinational Species Conservation Fund
The Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which currently benefits tigers, the six species of
rhinoceroses, Asian and African elephants, marine turtles, and great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees,
bonobos, orangutans, and the various species of gibbons), has generated a tremendous amount of
constituent interest. The fund supports conservation efforts benefitting these species, often in
conjunction with efforts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES) to which the United States is a party.1
MSCF provides funding in the form of technical and cost-sharing grants to range countries for the
conservation of African and Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles
and their habitats. The grants target species and address habitat conservation, law enforcement,
and technical assistance for conserving species under the MSCF. Efforts to conserve species
under the MSCF benefit from funding and in-kind support provided by partners and collaborators.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which runs the program,2 $75.0 million
was provided by partners and collaborators for efforts under the MSCF from FY2004 to FY2009.
This is nearly double the amount appropriated for these efforts during the same period. Funds
might also come from purchases of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal
Stamp (authorized under P.L. 111-245).3
For FY2011, the Administration requested $10.0 million, which is $1.5 million less than the
FY2010 enacted level of $11.5 million.4 Funding for these species programs comes to FWS
within the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. A regular act has not
been passed for FY2011. Instead, a series of laws generally continuing funding for Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies at FY2010 levels have been enacted. Most recently, P.L. 111-
322 extended funding through March 4, 2011. Table 1 shows funding levels for the MSCF and
the NMBCF for FY2005-FY2010 and the FY2011 request. The MSCF is authorized under five
acts, described below.
The African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §4201) authorizes matching grants for
conservation, research, management, and protection of this species. Projects are carried out in
cooperation with African nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

1 For more information, see CRS Report RL31654, The Endangered Species Act: A Primer, by M. Lynne Corn,
Kristina Alexander, and Eugene H. Buck, and CRS Report RL32751, The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Background and Issues, by Pervaze A. Sheikh and M. Lynne
Corn.
2 CRS Report R41155, Fish and Wildlife Service: Appropriations and Policy , by M. Lynne Corn.
3 Proceeds from the sale of certain postage stamps would be used to help implement the MSCF. According to P.L. 111-
245, funds from the stamps should not offset annual appropriations to the MSCF, nor should they be taken into account
in any decision related to funding MSCF or FWS. The stamps would be available to the public for at least two years.
4 P.L. 111-88.
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International Species Conservation Funds

The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund (16 U.S.C. §5301) assists in conserving tigers and
the 6 species of rhinos. Matching grants support governments and NGOs in projects to conserve
habitat, survey populations, improve law enforcement, and educate the public.
The Asian Elephant Fund (16 U.S.C. §4261) is similar to the above programs in purposes and
scope. An additional emphasis, where the elephants are draft animals, is to promote their humane
treatment and encourage captive breeding.
The Great Ape Conservation Fund (16 U.S.C. §1603) is similar to the above programs in
purposes and scope. Species of interest are lowland and mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos
(a species very closely related to chimpanzees), orangutans, and the species of gibbons (Genus
Hylobates—about 8-10 species, according to anthropologists). The authorization for
appropriations expires in 2010.
The Marine Turtle Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §6601) was passed on July 2, 2004. This law
provides grants for the conservation of marine turtle populations and their nesting habitats in the
wild. This law authorizes $5 million in annual appropriations from FY2005 to FY2009 for
conservation efforts and establishes a marine turtle conservation fund within the MSCF.
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund
The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §§6101-6109) provides grants for
the conservation of hundreds of bird species that migrate among North and South America and
the Caribbean. The act requires spending 75% of the funds on projects outside of the United
States. The act was reauthorized in 2006. The legislation expands the program to include Canada,
authorizes appropriations until 2009, and creates a separate fund for the NMBCF. The NMBCF is
no longer included in the Administration’s request under the MSCF.
The FY2011 request for this program is $4.0 million, $1.0 million less than its FY2010 enacted
level of $5.0 million. (See Table 1.)
Legislative Activity
The 112th Congress might consider reauthorizing funding for the Great Ape Conservation Fund,
which is authorized through 2010, and funding for the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, which is
authorized through 2009.
In the 112th Congress, one bill addresses the reauthorization of funding for three species funds,
including the African Elephant Conservation Fund, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund,
and the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund. H.R. 50 proposes to extend the authorization for
funding these programs at their current level to FY2016.
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International Species Conservation Funds

Table 1. Appropriations for Multinational Species Conservation Fund and
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, FY2006-FY2010
(in U.S. $ thousands)
Multinational Species
FY2006
FY2007
FY2008
FY2009
FY2010
FY2011
Conservation Fund
Enacted Enacted Enacted Enacted Enacted Requested
African
Elephant
$1,379 $1,379 $1,477 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Tiger
and
Rhinos
1,576 1,576 1,969 2,500 3,000 2,500
Asian
Elephant
1,379 1,379 1,477 2,000 2,000 2,000
Great
Apes
1,379 1,379 1,969 2,000 2,500 2,000
Marine
Turtle
691 691 984
1,500
2,000 1,500
Total
MSCF
6,404 6,404 7,876 10,000 11,500 10,000
Neotropical Migratory
3,941 3,941 4,430 4,750 5,000 4,000
Bird Conservation Fund

Author Contact Information

Pervaze A. Sheikh
M. Lynne Corn
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
psheikh@crs.loc.gov, 7-6070
lcorn@crs.loc.gov, 7-7267


Congressional Research Service
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