Since many of you have asked we thought we should explain Tarisio’s policies and procedures for dealing with endangered species materials, specifically tortoiseshell and ivory frogs.
Most of the rules and regulations regarding endangered species are found in the US Endangered Species Act of 1973; the US Fish & Wildlife Service (a division of the Department of the Interior) is the entity charged with enforcing the Endangered Species Act; and the international entity which lists and regulates endangered species is known as the CITES Convention. How all those entities relate is not always clear but what is clear is that all three provide and enforce rather restrictive guidelines for the treatment and regulation of endangered species materials in commercial trade.
Here is a summary of Tarisio’s policies regarding lots incorporating endangered species (*note, this applies to Tarisio’s United States operations specifically):
1) Tarisio’s auctions do not sell endangered species materials which are not over 100 years old.
2) Tarisio does not ship endangered species materials abroad even if the items in question are over 100 years old unless a CITES exemption permit has been obtained.
3) Tarisio will never solicit or receive endangered species materials from abroad, regardless of age, without first obtaining a CITES exemption permit.
We hope this is helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions about endangered species materials or Tarisio’s policies.