New rules that regulate the keeping of captive wildlife are now in effect. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to laws regulating captive wildlife in June after considering staff recommendations and gathering input from individuals, groups and government agencies.
New regulations provide that U.S. Department of Agriculture-registered research facilities must maintain a detailed research proposal and meet the strength requirements for cages and enclosures. The provision does not include bison kept for production of meat, skins or hides, or propagation. Bison, when kept for propagation only, are exempt from licensing and caging requirements.
Certain wildlife species have been reclassified from Class II to Class I, including cougar, cheetah, hyena and aardwolf. Class I designation means the species is among the most potentially dangerous to humans. Class II animals are less potentially dangerous but still represent a threat to public safety if not kept in suitable conditions.
A "grandfather" clause in the rule provides that anyone possessing Class II wildlife for personal use will not have to obtain additional permits now that their animals' classification has changed to Class I. All Class I wildlife, except those for exhibition or sale, must have permanent identification devices (microchips, photographs of identifying distinct features, such as tattoos, etc.). Although the new rules are in effect, animal owners have until Jan. 1, 2010, to comply with the permanent identification requirement.
The FWC also reclassified certain wildlife species from Class III to Class II, including the American alligator, patas monkey, giraffe, okapi, tapir and certain wild species of the bovidae (cow) family.
The experience requirements for Class I and II wildlife possession call for documented experience in caring for the specific family of the animal except for crocodilians, which require experience with animals of the same biological order.
The FWC clarified regulations on the documentation of experience for corporations: One must have a U.S. Department of Agriculture license for possession of Class I wildlife for exhibition or sale.
The FWC requires critical incident and disaster plans for Class I, II and III wildlife when the wildlife is housed or maintained in Florida. In addition, the FWC mandates critical incident and disaster plans for out-of-state permit holders traveling in Florida with Class I or II wildlife.
Barriers must be in place when unconfined Class I or II wildlife are on exhibit to the public. The FWC requires prior written approval for certain Class I wildlife for incidental contact with the public, such as when the animals are under supervision and control of the permit holder or handler but are subject to spectators touching them.
Animal owners must maintain records of animal acquisitions, sales and transfers for three years. Owners of Class I and Class II animals must maintain records of animals' births and deaths.
Wild or domestic hybrids that are indistinguishable (having more wild characteristics than domestic) from the wild animal will be regulated as wildlife. A permit is required for personal possession of brush-tailed opossums. The new rules prohibit personal possession of wild foxes, skunks, bats, raccoons and white-tailed deer.
Nonprofit captive wildlife sanctuaries providing lifetime care for unwanted or frail captive wildlife are required to have the animals permanently identified; the FWC prohibits public contact with such wildlife. People possessing performing wildlife that can no longer perform due to age or physical condition may continue to possess the wildlife for lifetime care under the exhibition/sale license. These animals must also be permanently identified.
A rehabilitation permit is not a requirement for rehabilitating nonnative species. Those rehabilitating native wildlife are required to meet a timeline for rehabilitation. It is illegal to comingle sick or injured nonnative wildlife in the same cage or enclosure with sick or injured, or otherwise impaired, native wildlife. Nonnative wildlife or domestic animals can be used for fostering orphaned native wildlife.
Rehabilitation facilities or permitted individuals may not release fully recovered American alligators or American crocodiles.
Transportation of wildlife must be in a cage or enclosure labeled "Live Animal." The cage or enclosure must list the number of specimens and the common and scientific names of the wildlife. If transportation is in a trailer, the access door must be labeled "Live Animal," and the list of the number of specimens and their common and scientific names must be in the cab.
For more information on captive wildlife, visit www.MyFWC.com/RULESANDREGS/Rules_Captive_index.htm.
