17MB PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

On July 12 I had an hour's interview with Dr. HernandezCorzo, the results of which, at his suggestion, I am circulating.I wrote him on July 21 to confirm my understanding of what wassaid, but have had no reply. I believe the following interpretationof his statements to be correct:1) The regulations apply to all terrestrial animals, includinginsects and other invertebrates; they do not apply toaquatic animals or to plants.2) In groups in which field identification is not possible,the applicant should describe in detail what he wishes to do andspecify the groups he will collect; he need not say how manyspecimens and of what species he will collect, nor send duplicatesto the Departamento before leaving MeXico; but he mustagree to send identified specimens and copies of all publicationsbased on the collections later.3) General collecting outside the group(s) for which thepermit was issued, for the purpose of enlarging museum collectionsis forbidden.4) Graduate students who are working for the doctorate maybe issued collecting permits if they are certified as such bythe Chairman of the Department or Director of a Museum in thecollege or university where they are seeking a degree, and ifresponsibility for their actions is assumed by their sponsor.5) The matter of competent amateurs was not discussed, butfrom the tenor of the discussion I believe they would need institutionalsponsorship to obtain a permit.T. H. Hubbell47The following letter was sent by Dr. Hubbell to Dr. Corzoand expresses well the objections to the strict enforcement ofthe new collecting regulations. The enforcement of these regulationswould greatly hamper the biological work of the AMCS.Dr. Rodolfo Hernandez CorzoDirector GeneralDepartamento de Conservaci6nde la Fauna SilvestreAquiles Serdan 28, Piso 7 0Mexico 3, D. F., MexicoDear Dr. Hernandez Corzo:August 30, 1966I have sent the accompanying memorandum to all the principalzoological museums in the United States, and to a considerablenumber of zoologists who are not connected with museums, as yousuggested. I hope that it is an accurate statement.In conversations with both Mexican and United States zoologistsI find that, although they recognize that abuses have occurredand approve of the objectives of the regulations, they are unanimousin believing that the rules as now drawn will have the