Research Permits

The research projects and work described on our website are performed under one or more of a variety of permits:

• All of our current research involving animal subjects are regulated by Texas A&M's University Laboratory Animal Care Committee (ULACC), which issues Animal Use Permits (AUPs) for each specific project.
  
  
• If our work involves the cooperation of another institution by way of funding or location of research, then AUPs from the appropriate Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) are required.
  
  
• Work on captive animals usually requires that such animals be held under a variety of permits including permits from the US Department of Agriculture. Such permits are generally issued to the facility holding the animals.
  
  
• Endangered species enjoy special protection in the United States AND abroad! Any work on an endangered species within US jurisdiction, or when based at a US institution requires a permit under the US Endangered Species Act (except when under the jurisdiction of another country, in which case the regulations of that country apply).
  
  
• Marine mammals enjoy special protection in the United States. Any work on marine mammals within US jurisdiction, or when based at a US institution also requires a permit under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), except when within the jurisdiction of another country (the regulations of that country apply).
  
  
• Work at remote field locations may require a number of permits from local authorities, for example from the Ecuadorean National Park Administration for work in the Galapagos Islands National Park, or for work in Antarctica under the International Antarctic Treaty. Certain areas enjoy additional protection, for example antarctic Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Specially Proteced Areas (SPAs), requiring additional permits.
  
  
• Transportation of biological samples usually requires a large number of permits from a wide variety of agencies. Such permits may include USDA permits, permits by the ministries of agriculture of countries through which samples are transported, as well as permits under the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Special note for visitors to our site who are interested in using some of our images for educational or illustrative purposes: in many instances, these pictures were taken under specific, dedicated research permits. In such cases, the permit number and permit holder should be identified with any use of such images. We list the relevant permits under the specific project sections. Please do also consult the page on our Privacy and Copyright Policy! Please contact the LABB webmaster to obtain details about permit numbers, at:

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