Story perspectives

Interior Regulator Advances 100-Lemur Permit, Faces Conflict

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Interior Department regulator Jenifer Chatfield advanced 4J Conservation Center’s permit to raise over 100 ruffed lemurs in a day, despite her family’s ownership of the Florida facility.
The renewal would allow the center to continue captive breeding of the critically endangered ruffed lemur, which would otherwise shut down.
Chatfield also helped draft a proposed rule to lower costs for such facilities and to narrow the Endangered Species Act.

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Story summary

U.S. Interior Department regulator Jenifer Chatfield advanced 4J Conservation Center’s permit to raise over 100 ruffed lemurs in a day, despite her family’s ownership of the Florida facility.
The renewal would allow the center to continue captive breeding of the critically endangered ruffed lemur, which would otherwise shut down.
Chatfield also helped draft a proposed rule to lower costs for such facilities and to narrow the Endangered Species Act.