Florida Administrative Code › 68 - FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › 68A - Freshwater Fish and Wildlife › Chapter 68A-6 - CAPTIVE WILDLIFE › Section 68A-6.015 - Caging Requirements for Mobile Exhibits

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Performing Animals. No mobile exhibit
				shall utilize the performing animal caging dimensions prior to approval by the
				Commission. To obtain such approval, the permittee shall provide written
				schedules to the Commission of wildlife exercise intervals and scheduled
				performances. The exercise intervals shall be of such frequency, intensity and
				duration as to provide for the health and welfare of the animal over an
				extended period, provided that the animals shall not be caged without exercise
				or performances for more than a 72-hour period. Performing and exercise
				information shall be verifiable by Commission personnel through inspections.
				Performing animals used in mobile exhibits shall not be confined in any cage or
				enclosure that is smaller in dimension; or is not equipped as follows:
(a) Class I and Class II Carnivores (i.e.,
				lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, pumas, bears, hyenas, wolves).
For a single animal, a cage which shall permit the animal to
				  turn or stand on all fours with head clearance, and confined in such a manner
				  so that no animal can injure another. For Class I animals, cages shall be
				  constructed of steel, case hardened aluminum, alloy, or strength equivalent
				  material. If bars are used, bars shall be spaced no more than 2 inches apart.
				  For Class II animals, cage construction shall not be less than 11 1/2 gauge
				  chain link or strength equivalent material. Cages of Class I and Class II
				  animals that the public can access, shall be equipped with a physical barrier,
				  which is made of a material to prevent the public from coming in contact with
				  the animals. All cages shall have secure locking devices.
(b) Primates, Class I and Class II. For a
				single animal, a cage which shall permit the animal to turn and stand erect
				with head clearance, confined in such a manner so that no animal can injure
				another. For Class I animals, cages shall be constructed of steel, case
				hardened aluminum, alloy or strength equivalent material. If bars are used,
				bars shall be spaced no more than 2 inches apart. For Class II animals, cage
				construction shall not be less than 11 1/2 gauge chain link or strength
				equivalent material. Cages of Class I and Class II animals that the public can
				access, shall be equipped with a physical barrier, which is made of a material
				to prevent the public from coming in contact with the animals. All cages shall
				have secure locking devices.
(c)
				Elephants. When not performing or being exercised, elephants shall either be:
1. Securely tethered.
2. Enclosed by an electric fence, under the
				supervision of at least one qualified handler in accordance with Rule
				68A-6.007, F.A.C., and in an
				area not accessible to the public.
(d) Class III Animals. For a single animal, a
				cage which shall permit the animal to turn and stand on all fours, or stand
				erect, with head clearance, confined in such a manner so that no animal can
				injure another.
(e) Time limitation
				on smaller travel caging allowed for housing performing animals. For performing
				wildlife possessed by traveling zoos and other traveling acts, wildlife shall
				be housed in cages or enclosures that meet or exceed the specifications as
				provided in this Chapter, whenever such wildlife is housed in such travel cages
				or enclosures for more than 90 days. Performing wildlife shall not be kept in
				cages or enclosures below the size required by the standard caging requirements
				for more than a total of 90 days out of each 120 day period. Such mobile
				exhibits shall provide an itinerary of planned exhibition times and locations
				with annual renewal applications.