Legal applicant
Lions of the Sky’s incorporation, bylaws, nonprofit status, officers, board and institutional responsibility.
Federal permit readiness
Prepared to apply as the legal nonprofit institution.
This technical page summarizes how Lions of the Sky is organizing its evidence for a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Live Eagle Exhibition permit application.
Federal standard
Bona fide public scientific and exhibition purpose.
Under 50 CFR 22.50, USFWS evaluates whether the applicant has adequate expertise, facilities and resources, and whether the permit is requested for bona fide scientific or exhibition purposes of a public museum, public scientific society or public zoological park.
USFWS guidance also calls for meaningful public access, caretaker experience, a recommendation from another federal eagle permittee, public programming and evidence of long-term capacity to house, feed and care for each eagle.
Status: Lions of the Sky is application-ready in purpose and experience, while final submission must include the complete supporting documents, agency forms, references, financial evidence, state authority and eagle acquisition or transfer approvals required for the specific application.
Evidence in practice
The application record is supported by real care and public programming.
Application components
A structured evidence package.
Public purpose
Conservation curricula, program descriptions, audiences, public access and explanation of why live eagles materially improve learning.
Personnel qualifications
9,228 documented eagle-specific experience hours, training history, references and designated adult personnel.
Care and facilities
Housing, diagrams, materials, perches, sanitation, security, diet, enrichment and veterinary arrangements.
Transport and display
Containers, loading, travel, weather, audience separation, control, equipment and contingency procedures.
Continuity and resources
Funding, records, annual reporting, emergency caretakers, succession planning and long-term capacity.
Caretaker benchmark
Experience substantially beyond the federal recommendation.
USFWS currently recommends 500 hours over at least two years for work with glove-trained eagles in conservation programs.
The documented record totals 9,228 eagle-specific hours across zoo handling, public programs, husbandry, primary care, transport and specialized glove training.
See the detailed recordPublic programming
Open, substantive conservation education.
USFWS guidance calls for at least 12 publicly accessible gloved programs annually, while “open to the public” eligibility guidance also refers to public access of at least 400 hours annually.
The application record should distinguish public access to the institution from the annual live-eagle program minimum and document both with calendars, venue information and program records.
Current permit distinction
No claim of an unissued organizational permit.
The currently active permit recognizes the organization’s primary caretaker in that role. Lions of the Sky is preparing a separate application in the nonprofit’s own legal name.
Until issued, the website states that the organization is prepared to apply and that any live-eagle activity occurs only under applicable federal and state authority.
Official reference
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — 3-200-14 Eagle Exhibition
Current application guidance, experience recommendations, public-program standards and ePermits access.