---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6302"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6302"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6302"
units:
  - "Chapter 82 — Great Ape Conservation"
---

# §6302. Definitions


In this chapter:

- (1) **CITES—** The term “CITES” means the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, done at Washington March 3, 1973 (27 UST 1087; TIAS 8249), including its appendices.
- (2) **Conservation—** The term “conservation”—
  - (A) means the use of methods and procedures necessary to prevent the diminution of, and to sustain viable populations of, a species; and
  - (B) includes all activities associated with wildlife management, such as—
    - (i) [conservation](#2), protection, restoration, [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), and management of habitat;
    - (ii) in-situ research and monitoring of populations and habitats;
    - (iii) assistance in the development, implementation, and improvement of [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for managed habitat ranges;
    - (iv) enforcement and implementation of [CITES](#1);
    - (v) enforcement and implementation of domestic laws relating to resource management;
    - (vi) development and operation of sanctuaries for members of a species rescued from the illegal trade in live animals;
    - (vii) training of local law enforcement officials in the interdiction and prevention of the illegal killing of [great apes](#4);
    - (viii) programs for the rehabilitation of members of a species in the wild and release of the members into the wild in ways which do not threaten existing wildlife populations by causing displacement or the introduction of disease;
    - (ix) conflict resolution initiatives;
    - (x) community outreach and education; and
    - (xi) strengthening the capacity of local communities to implement [conservation](#2) programs.
- (3) **Fund—** The term “Fund” means the [Great Ape](#4) [Conservation](#2) Fund established by [section 6304 of this title](/usc/16/6304.md).
- (4) **Great ape—** The term “great ape” means a chimpanzee, gorilla, bonobo, orangutan, or gibbon.
- (5) **Multinational Species Conservation Fund—** The term “Multinational Species Conservation Fund” means such [fund](#3) as established in title I of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, under the heading “multinational species conservation fund” [[16 U.S.C. 4246](/usc/16/4246.md)].
- (6) **Secretary—** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–411, § 3, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1790.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Title I of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, referred to in par. (5), is Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–232. Provisions under the heading “multinational species conservation fund” in Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(e) [title I] appear at 112 Stat. 2681–237, and are classified in part to section 4246 of this title.