[REXANO] FL FWC / 2008 - New rules for wildlife owners

**Raven** · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 217

submitted to REXANO by a Great Ape lover

New Year brings additional requirements for wildlife owners

January 1, 2008
Contact: Capt. Linda Harrison or Capt. John West, 850-488-6253

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has
established new rules for people who possess or exhibit wildlife that
recently came into effect or will become effective at the beginning
of 2008.

As of Jan. 1, people licensed to possess captive wildlife, nonnative
venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern must have a Captive Wildlife
Critical Incident and Disaster Plan. This plan outlines how owners or
exhibitors should secure or evacuate their animals in the event of
natural disasters and critical incidents. Additionally, people
licensed to possess or exhibit Class I wildlife, nonnative venomous
reptiles or Reptiles of Concern must report any escape immediately to
the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement.

Class I wildlife - such as lions, bears, crocodiles, chimpanzees and
rhinoceros - are defined as wildlife posing a significant danger to
people.

"These new rules are for the protection and welfare of people and the
wildlife," said Capt. Linda Harrison of FWC's Investigations
Section. "We hope to prevent problems. The requirement of this plan
gives permittees something to think about. If an escape or natural
disaster should occur, it is better to be prepared to adequately
respond to the situation."

Exhibiting wildlife will require some establishments and private
wildlife owners to pay more. In 2007, the bond for exhibiting
venomous reptiles increased from $1,000 to $10,000. Effective Feb. 1,
people or businesses exhibiting Class I captive wildlife will be
required to provide a surety bond or a financial responsibility
guarantee of $10,000 or maintain $2 million in general comprehensive
liability insurance, with $2 million required per occurrence.

Anyone who possesses a Class I wildlife permit - with limited
exceptions - now must have a minimum of 5 acres of property.
Additionally, facilities housing Class I captive wildlife cannot be
in areas zoned solely for residential use.

Class II wildlife also can pose a danger to people. They include many
species of monkeys, bobcats, cougars, wolves, coyotes and caiman.
Class II wildlife owners must now have a minimum of 2½ acres. The FWC
will require substantial experience and specific cage and facility
requirements to be met before it will issue a permit.

Nonnative venomous reptiles are all species of venomous snakes and
lizards that do not occur naturally in Florida. Reptiles of Concern
are the Indian or Burmese python, African rock python, amethystine
python, reticulated python, green anaconda and Nile monitor lizard.
People possessing any venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern must
be permitted, paying a fee of $100 per year. They also must meet new,
stricter caging and facility requirements.

"Some of these reptile species pose a threat to human life or
Florida's native species," Harrison said. "Obviously, venomous
reptiles can be hazardous to human health. Nonnative species, which
have been released into the wild and thrived, may potentially wreak
havoc on native species, which are falling prey to them."

People who possess venomous reptiles are now required to mark cages
and enclosures with a card stating, "Danger, Venomous Reptile." The
card must identify the reptile, and it also must accompany the
reptile when it is removed from its cage. A bite or exposure protocol
is required, which provides the name of an emergency contact and
information on what to do should a bite occur.

People who own nonnative venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern for
personal use must have the animals permanently identified. Nonnative
venomous reptiles must be identified by photograph or by implantation
of a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, also referred to as a
microchip. Reptiles of Concern must be permanently identified by
implantation of a PIT tag. The PIT tag number and specimen
information must be maintained in the owner's records.

Owners of any nonnative venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern
acquired prior to Jan. 1, 2008, will have until July 1 to meet the
PIT tagging requirement. Any specimens acquired after Jan. 1 must be
permanently identified when the animal is acquired.

People possessing venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern are also
required to keep records of changes in inventory, which are a result
of births, deaths, acquisition, sales or transfers. Records must be
readily available for inspection by FWC personnel. These records also
must be submitted to the FWC.

People who sell venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern must submit
these records twice a year: once upon application and again six
months later. People who possess venomous reptiles or Reptiles of
Concern for personal use must submit these records upon application
and when there is an inventory change.

On July 1, 2007, red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)
became listed as a Conditional Species. People who acquired red-eared
slider turtles after July 1, 2007, must have a permit. No permit will
be issued for personal possession.

People who possess red-eared sliders acquired before July 1, 2007,
may keep those specimens without a permit until they are legally
transferred or disposed of. After July 1, 2008, however, no one may
have a red-eared slider as a pet that is less than 4 inches in size.
Those owning the turtles legally may not allow them to reproduce, and
all eggs must be destroyed.

It is illegal to release any nonnative species into the wild in
Florida. As of this year, penalties for certain captive-wildlife-law
violations have increased, and in some instances, people who
repeatedly violate captive wildlife laws and rules can be charged
with a felony.

"In a situation where we have a repeat offender of captive wildlife
rules, the perpetrator will face increased minimum fines or penalties
for additional convictions. Repeat offenders may even lose their
license or permit," Harrison said. "In some instances, the
perpetrator could be charged with a third-degree felony, with a fine
of up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment for up to five years,
although in most situations, that would not be the case."

"We would prefer to educate people about responsibly owning and
exhibiting wildlife." To learn more about wildlife ownership and
exhibition laws or to obtain permits, visit MyFWC.com/permits.

http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/statewide/News_08_X_NewCaptive.htm