Peter Renzo is not happy.

For years, he has fought the ensuing extinction of the Siberian tiger. His foundation, Siberians Are Becoming Rapidly Extinct, or SABRE, was organized for that purpose.

In 2007, Renzo, who lives with his family and his tigers in Silver Springs, Nev., east of Reno, was trying to open an educational exhibit for his tigers in the Blackfoot area, complete with a restaurant and hotel for tourists. The exhibit would have housed seven tigers and one black panther. Renzo hoped the Idaho location would draw wildlife tourism from Yellowstone.

Renzo says the exhibit would be not-for-profit, with the proceeds supporting SABRE.

"We had the financing; we had the paperwork and permits ready to go," Renzo said. "We were ready to move forward." The planned 24,000 square-foot complex would have cost about $6.3 million, he said.

But the Idaho State Department of Agriculture blocked his attempt to bring the tigers into the state. The department said Renzo would have to sterilize the cats before bringing them into Idaho or apply for a special permit to propagate the species in captivity. Renzo refused.

"Every zoo from California to New York possesses the same Class C exhibitors license that I have," Renzo said. "Zoo Boise has the exact same license. I met the requirements."

So Renzo sued in 2008. The ISDA argued that its rules stated any animals of a certain classification must be sterilized unless their owner obtained a special permit to breed them in captivity.

A 7th District judge ordered that the language of these rules be revised and clarified. The department did. The new rules were approved by the Idaho Legislature in the 2009 session.

The new regulations, entitled Rules Governing Deleterious and Exotic Animals, declares that any animals of a certain classification must be sterilized or have birth control administered monthly by a licensed veterinarian. This can be avoided if the owner gets a special permit to breed the animals in captivity.

"These new rules apply to everyone who has the animals in Idaho," said Dr. Bill Barton, the state veterinarian. "Zoos operate under the same rules."

No facility in Idaho has licenses for propagation of any species covered by the rules, Barton said.

Renzo argues that the federal Endangered Species Act forbids sterilization of endangered animals. His Siberian tigers, which he says are among 400 left in the world, should fall under that protection, he said. The department declined to comment on the legality of sterilization under the Endangered Species Act.

"These people just made up their own laws to keep me out," Renzo said.

Barton said the department hasn't heard from Renzo since 2007 in regard to obtaining the breeding permit.

SABRE in June lost a $12 million lawsuit against the department. The judge upheld the new rules. Renzo said he plans to appeal.

"If we don't work together, these tigers will go extinct," Renzo said.

Nate Knife: 672-6742