---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 36"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "36"
heading: "Disposition of surplus elk, buffalo, bear, beaver, and predatory animals"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/36"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter V — Yellowstone National Park"
---

# §36. Disposition of surplus elk, buffalo, bear, beaver, and predatory animals


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion and under regulations to be prescribed by him, to give surplus elk, buffalo, bear, beaver, and predatory animals inhabiting Yellowstone National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) to Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), county, and municipal authorities for [preserves](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2), zoos, zoological gardens, and [parks](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3). He may sell or otherwise dispose of the surplus buffalo of the Yellowstone National [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) herd, and all moneys received from the sale of any such surplus buffalo shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.


## Source credit

(Jan. 24, 1923, ch. 42, 42 Stat. 1214.)