Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 002 - Game and Fish Commission › Division 01 - Legal Division › Rule 002.01.23-033 - 09.10 - Wildlife Importation Permit Required

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
A. It is unlawful to import live wildlife
			 into Arkansas without a valid Wildlife Importation Permit issued by the
			 Commission. It also is unlawful for any person to receive, acquire, purchase,
			 or possess any wildlife imported into Arkansas in violation of this
			 regulation.
B. It is unlawful for
			 the holder of a Wildlife Importation Permit to cause or permit any wild animal
			 or bird to be imported into Arkansas under inhumane or unhealthy conditions
			 (Addendum F1.04).
EXCEPTIONS:
A. Aquatic wildlife other than native aquatic
			 turtles, alligators, and those species prohibited by Code 26.13. Imports for
			 aquaculture must comply with Code 35.09. Refer to the Approved Aquaculture
			 Species List in Addendum J1.01. Aquatic wildlife may not be released, Code
			 26.12.
B. Wildlife exchanged with
			 other states by the Commission.
C.
			 Accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
D. A Wildlife Importation Permit is not
			 required for a nonresident falconer with a valid Non-Resident Arkansas Hunting
			 License, and possessing a valid falconry permit from another state, to import
			 legally possessed raptors into Arkansas for the purposes of hunting, provided
			 the birds will not stay in Arkansas longer than 30 consecutive days and are in
			 compliance with Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission regulations relating
			 to the entry of birds into the state.
E. A Wildlife Importation Permit is not
			 required for a resident falconer with a valid Arkansas Hunting License, and a
			 valid Arkansas falconry permit to import legally possessed raptors into
			 Arkansas, provided they are in compliance with Arkansas Livestock and Poultry
			 Commission regulations relating to the entry of birds into the state.
F. Circuses and others possessing U.S.
			 Department of Agriculture Wildlife Exhibition Permits may import wildlife into
			 or through Arkansas temporarily for the limited purposes of performance or
			 display under terms of a special permit issued by the Chief of Wildlife
			 Management.
G. No Wildlife
			 Importation Permit is necessary for wildlife listed in Addendum R1.01. No
			 Wildlife Importation Permit will be issued for wildlife listed in Addendum
			 R1.03 except in compliance with Code 09.11 Exceptions. An application for a
			 permit for an unlisted species will be denied if an evaluation by Commission
			 staff determines the species poses a significant risk to human health and
			 safety, native fish and wildlife health or populations, or agriculture, or
			 cannot be safely confined in a humane manner.
H. Terrestrial invertebrate species not
			 otherwise prohibited by Commission Code or by Federal or state
			 regulations.
I. A Wildlife
			 Importation Permit is not required for a resident to return legally owned
			 wildlife originating in Arkansas that has been out of the state for less than
			 30 days.
J. Wildlife being
			 transported through Arkansas, within a period of 12 hours or less, that remain
			 confined within the mode of transportation and is not exhibited to the
			 public.
K. Terrestrial invertebrate
			 species not otherwise prohibited by this Code or Federal or State
			 regulations.
PENALTY:
Class 3
A. All equipment, including any form of legal
			 tender, and all wildlife imported in violation of this regulation may be seized
			 by Game Wardens, confiscated by the court, forfeited to the State and disposed
			 of according to law (Code 01.00-D).
B. Any person convicted of violating this
			 regulation shall be liable for the costs incurred in the storage, care, and
			 maintenance of any equipment, wildlife, and/or fish seized in connection with
			 the violation.
C. Any person
			 convicted of violating this regulation shall be liable for the costs of any and
			 all tests and/or examinations of the illegally imported wildlife, and also
			 shall be liable for the costs of destruction and/or disposal of the illegally
			 imported wildlife, as deemed necessary by the Commission for the protection of
			 native wildlife.