QUESTION:
Is it true if you touch an animal you have to pay $10,000?
        
        Guerin F.


ANSWER from Mary Lenox, ASA, Administrative Coordinator
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 21 Mar 1997 14:01:12 -0500 


Dear Guerin,


Here is how it reads in the information packet that we give to 
everyone who stays at Palmer:

The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (ACA), Public Law 95-541, 
conserves and protects the native mammals, birds and plants of 
Antarctica and the ecosystems of which they are a part.  It 
is unlawful, unless authorized by permit, to:

* take native mammals or birds
* enter specially designated areas
* introduce species to Antarctica
* introduce substances designated as pollutants
* discharge designated pollutants
* import certain Antarctic items into the United States

The law applies to any U.S. citizen in Antarctica, any person in 
Antarctica as a participant in U.S. government activities, any
expedition into the Antarctic that originates from the United States, 
or any person in the United States who handles certain Antarctic 
animals and plants.  The Act provides penalties of up to $10,000 and 
1 year imprisonment for violations.  

A permit system authorized by the Act allows certain activities, 
otherwise prohibited, when performed within prescribed restrictions 
for scientific or other worthwhile purposes.  The National Science 
Foundation (NSF), the agency of the U.S. Government that funds and 
manages the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), administers the Act and 
its permit system. 

***

So you can touch animals if you have a permit to do so.  We go as far 
as saying that you can be fined if you alter an animals behavior.  If 
you apprear to be altering an animals behavior, you need to back out 
of the area and leave them be.  I don't know of anyone who has been 
fined, jailed, or forced to leave Antarctica due to breaking of ACA 
rules, but it could happen.  A person could argue that we are 
altering the animals behavior by simply just being here.

Great question!  I hope you've enjoyed studying Antarctica.

Cheers,
Mary Lenox