Guidance Document  
 
A guidance document issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Zoo Carnivora  
ZOOCARNS.SPE  
[Document Date]  
 Guidance Document : Zoo Carnivora  
 Draft for Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industrie s Page  1 of 11 
 
 
 Title 
Guidance Document : Zoo Carnivora . 
About this document  
This guidance document contains information about acceptable ways of ensuring compliance with the 
requirements in t he Import Health Standard ( IHS): Zoo Carnivora . 
Any guidance on how to comply with the applicable requirements may not be the only way to achieve 
compliance. Stakeholders are encouraged to discuss departures from the approaches outlined in this 
guidance document with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to avoid expending resources on the 
development of alternative approaches which may later be considered unsuitable.  
The term “must” is not typically used in guidance. In this particular document if the term “must” is used, it is 
used in the context of quoting or paraphrasing the requirements set out in the related IHS: Zoo Carnivora . 
Related Requirements  
Import Health Standard: Zoo Carnivora  
Document  history  
Refer to Appendix 1.  
Contact Details  
For further information and questions about this guidance document, please contact:  
 
Animal Imports  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
Disclaimer  
This guidance does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice . While every effort has been 
made to ensure the information in this guidance is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not accept 
any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be 
present, however it may have occurred.  
Copyright  
Crown copyright ©. This copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand 
licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribu te the work to the Ministry for Primary 
Industries and abide by the other licence terms. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ . 
Please note that n o governmental emblem, logo or Coat of Arms may be used in any way which infringes any provision of the Flags, 
Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 or would infringe such provision if the relevant use occurred within New Zealand. 
Attribution to the Minis try for Primary Industries should be in written form and not by reproduction of any such emblem, logo or Coat of 
Arms.  
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 Contents  Page 
1 Purpose  3 
2 Background  3 
3 Definitions  3 
4 Importer Responsibilities  3 
5 Guidance  3 
5.1 Equivalence  3 
5.2 Incorporation of material by reference  3 
5.3 Exporting country systems and certification  4 
5.4 Diagnostic tests, vaccines and t reatment  4 
5.5 Inspection and verification  5 
6 Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  6 
6.1 Model veterinary certificate  6 
Appendix 1 – Document History  11 
 
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 1 Purpose  
(1) This guidance document has been issued to accompany the IHS: Zoo Carnivora . This guidance 
document should be read in conjunction with that IHS.  
(2) This document includes:  
a) A model veterinary certificate.  
b) Links to n egotiated country specific veterinary certificates.  
2 Background  
(1) The IHS: Zoo Carnivora , which this guidance document accompanies, contains generic import 
requirements. These are the rules to manage the biosecurity risk of importing  zoo Carnivora  from 
approved  countries that can  meet the requirements of the IHS and in doing so meet New Zealand’s 
appropriate level of protection.  
(2) This guidance document contains a model veterinary certificate and the agreed veterinary certification 
for trade in  zoo Carnivora . This country -speci fic veterinary certificate represents what will be certified 
prior to exporting consignments of  zoo Carnivora  from the country specified.  
3 Definitions  
(1) Refer to Schedule 2 of the IHS: Zoo Carnivora . 
4 Importer Responsibilities  
(1) The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of  zoo Carnivora  will be recovered 
in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and any regulations made under that Act. All 
costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a  biosecurity clearance must be 
covered by the importer or agent.  
5 Guidance  
5.1 Equivalence  
(1) MPI may accept an alternative method, system or process that can be shown to achieve the 
biosecurity requirements of the IHS (i.e. equivalence).  
(2) MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz . 
(3) Information may be added to the import  permit where specific equiv alence measures are approved by 
MPI. The import permit serves as evidence of equivalence decisions and will be written as specific 
notes in the special conditions section of the permit.  
(4) Apply online for an import permit at the following weblink: https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/ . 
5.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines  or lists are incorporated into the IHS and 
they form part of the requirements. This is done because technical documents are too large or 
impractical to include in the IHS.  Guidance Document : Zoo Carnivora  
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 (2) Where the IHS states that section 142O(1) of the Act does not apply, this means tha t importers need to 
refer to the most recent version of any standards, guidelines or lists that are incorporated by reference 
in the IHS.  
5.3 Exporting country systems and certification  
5.3.1 Approval for exporting systems  
(1) The list of approved countries for exp orting zoo C arnivora  is in S chedule  4 of the IHS . 
5.3.2 Zoo Carnivora  Agreed country specific veterinary certificates  
(1) A model veterinary certificate is provided in this guidance document and can be used by the zoo as a 
reference for country -specific veterinary ce rtificate negotiation.  
(2) All country -specific veterinary certificates agreed b y MPI are included in the table below:  
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO direction 
#  Date agreed  Date applicable 
for use  
     
(3) Country -specific veterinary certificates with equivalent measures will be recorded with a number 
relevant to a Chief Technical Officer (CTO) direction under section 27(1)d(iii) of the Act, to enable 
border staff to clear the goods and record the number in the MPI database.  
(4) Currently there are no country -specif ic veterinary certificates for  zoo Carnivora  imports into New 
Zealand.   
5.4 Diagnostic tests , vaccines and treatment  
(1) Effective t ests and treatments for use in zoo carnivorans may not be widely establish ed or va lidated . 
Where tests or treatments are required in the IHS these should be researched by zoo experts in the 
exporting country, and proposed to MPI prior to export. Once the proposed tests and treatments are 
agreed by MPI these will be listed in the  MPI document: Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, 
Treatments and Post -Arrival Testing Laboratories for Animal Import Health Standards, MPI -STD-TVTL . 
(2) Where WOAH  recommended diagnostic tests and vaccines are listed, details can be found in the 
WOAH  Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines  found on the WOAH  website: Terrestrial Manual 
Online Access - WOAH  - World Organisation for Animal Health . 
(3) The WOAH  Terrestrial Animal Health Code  chapter listing the prescribed and alternative diagnostic 
tests for WOAH  listed diseases is found on the WOAH  website: Terrestrial Code Online Access - 
WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health . 
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 5.5 Inspection and verification  
(1) On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector.  
(2) Any containers not intact on arrival will be required to be made secure before the consignment is 
moved to the transitional facility. Any material which has leake d from the container will be destroyed at 
the port of entry.  
(3) Following biosecurity authorisation, the zoo Carnivora will proceed directly to the transition facility 
named on the import permit.  
(4) Inspectors are able to inspect and verify due to their authoris ed powers under the Act.  
(5) These requirements are independent of the IHS requirements.  
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 6 Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
6.1 Model veterinary certificate  
(1) Below is a model veterinary certificate for trade in live zoo Carnivora. This can be used by the 
exporting zoo as a reference, but a certificate must be agreed with MPI before trade can commence.  
 
1. Consignor (exporter)  
Name:  
Address:  
 
 2. Certificate reference number:  
 
 
3. Competent authority:  
 
 
4. Consignee: (importer)  
Name:  
Address:  
 
 5. Country of origin:  
ISO Code:  
 
6. Country of destination: NEW ZEALAND  
ISO Code: NZL 
 
7. Date of departure:  
 8. Port of Departure : 
 
 
9. Place of origin:  
Name:  
Address:  
 
 10. Means of transport  
☐   Aeroplane  
☐   Ship 
 
Identification:  
 
11. Port of arrival : 
 
 12. Permit number : 
13. Country of transit/transhipment (if applicable):  
 
  
14. Identification of commodity:   
 
 
Name  Species (Scientific 
Name)  Microchip 
Number  Microchip Location  Date of 
Birth  Sex 
      
      
      
      
      
      
 
 
 
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 Exporting Country:  Certificate Reference Number:  
I, the undersigned Official Veterinarian , certif y that the commodity  described above satisf ies the following requirements:  
Exporting zoo premises  
(1) Each animal has  been resident in one or more  approved, licensed or registered zoos or wildlife park s in the exporting 
country since birth or for at least twelve months prior to export .  
(2) Each animal was born in captivity and not caught from the wild.  
(3) The p remises ensured separat ion of the animals from other animal populations not of the same health status . 
(4) The premises in which each animal for export resided is under direct  veterinary supervision, and a hea lth monitoring 
programme was followed including necropsies, and microbiological and parasitological testing . 
(5) The exporting premises has been free of quarantine restrictions for the 90 days prior to the date of shipment.  
Pre-export isolation and inspection  
(6) Each animal was:  
(a) Held in pre -export isolation for a minimum of 30 days prior to the date of shipment.  
(b) Isolated from other animals not of equivalent health status . 
(7) Individual health records were kept for each animal  during the pre -export isolation period and any health problems during 
this time were reported to MPI.  
(a) The pre -export isolation premises  was approved and supervised by an Official Veterinarian.  
(8) Prior to h ousing the animals, the premises was thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with an acaricide.  
(a) Every 10 days:  
i) The bedding was removed; and  
ii) The premises was thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with an acaricide; or 
(b) Prior to housing the animals, the premises was thorough ly cleaned and sprayed with a long lasting acaricide. 
Bedding was removed every 10 days.  (Delete clauses as appropriate).  
(9) While in pre -export isolation the animals were only fed feed showing no evidence of contamination with ticks and seeds.  
(10) Bedding used d uring pre -export isolation was clean and free from evidence of contamination with ticks and seeds.  
(11) Each animal was identified and examined by an Official Veterinarian in the 48 hours prior to leaving the pre -export 
isolation premises for the port of depart ure. 
(12) Each animal  was fully weaned, not in the third term of pregnancy, and free from clinical evidence of infectious disease, 
external parasites,  plant and seed contamination, and appeared fit for travel.  
Transport  
(13)  As far as can be determined:  
(a) If shipped by ( delete clauses as appropriate ):  
i) Air, each animal will be shipped in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal 
Regulations;  
ii) Sea, the animals will be shipped in accordance with the Australian Marine Or ders Part 43, Issue 6.  Guidance Document : Zoo Carnivora  
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 Exporting Country:  Certificate Reference Number:  
(b) No animals other than those that meet the import requirements for entry into New Zealand are permitted to be 
transported with the zoo Carnivora on the aircraft or ship.  
(c) The vehicles in which the animals will be transported to the por t of departure will be cleaned and disin sected prior 
to loading.  
(d) The crates or pens to be used for transporting the zoo Carnivora to New Zealand are either new or if previously 
used will be cleaned and disin sected.  
(e) The cargo space of the aircraft where the  animals are to be transported will be sprayed prior to departure with an 
insecticidal spray approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting country.  
(f) All feed and bedding during transportation will be free from seeds and ticks.  
Test and treatments  
(14) All pre-export testing was conducted at  a government approved laboratory . 
(15) All diagnostic test(s), treatment(s) and vaccines were  approved by MPI . 
(16) Babesia  spp.  - Applicable to zoo Ailuridae , Canidae, Eupleridae, Herpestidae , Hyaenidae, Mustelidae, 
Procyonidae, Ursidae and Viverridae  
(a) Each animal was tested for Babesia  spp. with negative result during pre -export isolation.  
Name of the test:……………………………………………..  
Sample collection date:……………………………… ……..   
Test result:……………………………………………………  
(17) Dirofilaria immitis  (heartworm) - Applicable to zoo Canidae only  
(a) Each canid i f five months of age or older on the date of shipment  was subjected to an antigen ELISA test for 
heartworm, with a negative result on a sample taken in pre -export isolation, in th e 30 days prior to shipment : 
Name of the test:……………………………………………..  
Sample collection date:……………………………………..  
Test result:……………………………………………………  and 
(b) Each canid during pre -export isolation and within the two days prior to shipment (regardless of age)  was treate d 
with: (select the drug) 
(i) Ivermectin at 6 mcg/kg; or  
(ii) milbemycin at 0.5 mg/kg; or  
(iii) moxidectin at 2 -4 mcg/kg; or  
(iv) injectable sustained release formulation moxidectin at the recommended dose rate; or  
(v) selamectin at 6 mg/kg ; or 
(vi) an MPI-approved treatment effective against Dirofilaria immitis . 
Date of  treatment: ………............................................................................                                           
(18) External parasites  - Applicable to zoo Ailuridae , Canida e, Eupleridae, Felidae, Herpestidae , Hyaenidae, 
Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Ursidae and Viverridae  
(a) During pre -export isolation each animal was treated twice, at least 14 days apart, with an insecticide/acaricide 
effective against ticks, mites, lice, and fleas . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Exporting Country:  Certificate Reference Number:  
First treatment  
Name of ectoparasiticide: .............................................................................................................  
Active ingredient(s): ....................................................................................................... ...............  
Dose rate: ....................................................................................................................... ..............  
Date of treatment: ……….............................................................................................. ..............  
Second treatment  
Name of ectoparasiticide: ................................................................................................... ..........  
Active ingredient(s): .................................................................. ....................................................  
Dose rate: .................................................................................................................. ...................  
Date of treatment: ……….................................... ........................................................................  
(19) Internal parasites  - Applicable to  zoo Ailuridae , Canidae, Eupleridae, Felidae, Herpestidae , Hyaenidae, Mustelidae, 
Procyonidae, Ursidae and Viverridae  
(a) During pre -export isolation each animal was treated twice, at least 14 days apart, for nematodes, cestodes and 
trematodes.  
First treatment  
Name of anthelmintic : ….............................................................................................................  
Active ingredient(s): …………………............................................................................................  
Dose rate: …................................................................................................................. ........... ..... 
Date of treatment: .......................................................................................................... ............  
Second treatment  
Name of anthelmintic : ….............................................................................................................  
Active ingredient(s): …………………............................................................................................  
Dose rate: …........... ......................................................................................................................  
Date of treatment: .......................................................................................................... ............  
(20) Rabies - Applicable to  zoo Ailuridae , Canidae, Eupleridae, Felidae, Herpestidae , Hyaenidae, Mustelidae, 
Procyonidae, Ursidae and Viverridae  (delete clauses as appropriate)  
(a) Each animal has reside d since birth or for at least the six months prior to shipmen t in a rabies -free country and 
showed no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment; or 
(b) Each animal  was: 
(i) Kept for the six months prior to shipment in an establishment where separation from susceptible wildlife 
reservoir s was maintained , and where there has been no case of rabies for at least 12 months immediately 
prior to shipment ; and  
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 Exporting Country:  Certificate Reference Number:  
(ii)  Vaccinated against rabies with a n MPI -approved vaccine : 
Name of the latest vaccine:……………………………………………..                                                                       
Date of latest vaccination:………………………………………………  
Name of previous vaccine:………………………………………………  (delete if not applicable)  
Date of previous vaccination:………………………………………… …. (delete if not applicable ), and  
(iii) Free from clinical signs of rabies on the day prior to or on the day of export ; or 
(c) Each animal was: 
iii) Vaccinated against rabies with a n MPI -approved vaccine : 
Name of the vaccine:……………………………………………..  
Date of vaccination:……………………………………………… ; and 
iv) Subjected to a neutralising antibody titration test for rabies for which the blood was drawn:  
1. at least four weeks after the rabies vaccination; and  
2. at least six months before the scheduled date of shipment : 
Sample collection date:…………………………………….                                                                       
Name of the test:……………………………………………                                                                     
Test result:…………………………………………………… ; and  
v) Free from clinical signs of rabies on the day prior t o or on the day of export . 
(21) Trypanosoma  spp. (surra and tsetse fly associated trypanosomosis)  – Applicable to  zoo Ailuridae , Canidae, 
Eupleridae, Felidae, Herpestidae , Hyaenidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Ursidae and Viverridae  (delete clauses as 
appropriate)  
(a) Each animal has resided since birth in T. evansi  and T. vivax free countries as agreed by MPI and showed no 
clinical signs of trypanosomosis on the day of shipment; or 
(b) Each animal:  
(i) Was resident, for at least six months prior to shipment, at zoo premises where no clinical, epidemiological 
or other evidence of T. evansi  and T. vivax  has occurred in any animal species in the previous two years; 
and  
(ii) Showed no clinical signs of trypanosomosis on the day of shipment.  
 
Note: each page of the certificate must be signed must be signed, stamped, dated ad identified with a unique reference number . 
Official Veterinarian  
Name:  
Address:  
Emai   
Signature:  
Date:  
 
Official Veterinarian signature, 
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 Appendix 1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
2 September 2022  
Internal Consultation  Guidance Document:  Zoo Carnivora  IHS ZOOCARNS.SPE  
28 September 2022  
External Consultation  Guidance Document:  Zoo Carnivora  IHS ZOOCARNS.SPE  
Date of Issued Amendments  Title Shortcode