Washington Administrative Code › Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of › WILDLIFE › Chapter 220-450 - Wildlife in captivity and wildlife rehabilitation › Section 220-450-110 - Wildlife rehabilitation-Releasing wildlife

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Rehabilitated wildlife must be released
				as soon as the animal is deemed physically, behaviorally, and psychologically
				fit and conforming to the species natural history to increase successful
				reintegration into the wild.
(2) It
				is unlawful to hold wildlife for rehabilitation longer than one hundred eighty
				days. A primary permittee must obtain department authorization if the animal
				requires care longer than the one hundred eighty-day time limit. The department
				may grant a time extension if wildlife is over-wintering, molting, completing
				recovery, or waiting for suitable placement.
(3) Wildlife must be released at locations
				using methods and protocol to minimize stress on released animal; disease free;
				and into the same area from which the wildlife was taken unless doing this
				poses a substantial risk to the health or safety of the released wildlife or
				humans; or at a location within the wildlife's normal species range and
				appropriate habitat if location of origin is unknown or release cannot or
				should not occur at origin location.
The department may direct the permittee to release wildlife
				  at a location other than where the wildlife was taken.
(4) A group of unrelated wildlife of the same
				species and that were raised together for socialization may be released at the
				same location even if that location is not where the wildlife was originally
				taken. All other release requirements must be followed. Migratory birds
				including raptors may be released at a location other than where they
				originated, without department preapproval, but within their natural range and
				must be at a location and timing appropriate for migration or flock
				behavior.
(5)
Release
				restriction and requirements.
(a)
				Wildlife may not be given to the public to release after
				rehabilitation.
(b) Permittees must
				obtain department authorization for the release location prior to releasing
				cervids, large carnivores, coyotes, or beaver; cervids may not be released out
				of their WDFW region of origin.
(c)
				Orphaned cervids received by a wildlife rehabilitator and born during the year
				received must be released no later than October 31 of the year received. If an
				extension is needed to complete rehabilitation, a request must be made to the
				department for an extension authorization.
(d) Eastern gray squirrels, Virginia opossum,
				eastern cottontail, European starlings, and house sparrows must be released
				where these species already abundantly occur, releasing these species outside
				of where these species already occur is prohibited.
(e) Amphibians and reptiles must be released
				at point of origin, without exception. It is unlawful to release amphibians and
				reptiles if:
(i) They are a Washington state
				nonnative species.
(ii) They have
				been in captivity as pets.
(iii)
				They have been exposed to items or animals from the pet trade or pet stores
				including live food items or plants prior to being admitted to the permitted
				rehabilitation facility.
(iv) The
				point of origin is unknown.