Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-15-.01 - IMPORTATION OF LIVE WILDLIFE

(1) Before any person in the State of Tennessee may have in his or her possession any live wild animal species obtained from outside the State of Tennessee, he or she must import such animal in accordance with the following:

(a) Any permit obtained for importation, other than an annual importation permit, is void when the shipment of animals or any portion thereof is received or when any condition or restriction of the permit is violated.

(b) Wildlife, as referred to in these regulations, is either singular or plural, as the case may be; and is defined as all species normally found in the wild, regardless of whether they were captured in the wild or raised in captivity.

(c) Wildlife obtained through interstate commerce must be in accordance with federal laws, as well as be obtained from a dealer licensed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act of 1970.

(d) When any wildlife is being shipped or transported by any carrier, private or public, the carrier shall possess the shipper's copy of the importation permit. The shipper's copy of the importation permit will be left with the consignee upon delivery of the animals. The animals and all pertinent records will be open to inspection by a representative of the Wildlife Resources Agency prior to their release.

(e) Any person, group or business entity importing wildlife for the purpose of release must notify the regional office within 24 hours prior to the arrival of the shipment. Wildlife imported for release will be subject to inspection by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency prior to their release.

(f) Any wildlife imported for release will be subject to the following restrictions:

1. Annual importation permit holders shall notify the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency of the intent to import a shipment of captive wildlife to check to determine if the source of that species is approved.

2. The importation of animals from states having endemic disease problems in wild populations that could present a health hazard to native wildlife or the public is specifically prohibited.

3. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will annually compile a list of species and the states from which they originate that are prohibited from importation. This list will be provided to the appropriate agency personnel as well as annual importation permit holders.

(g) Each request to import will be considered on its own merits, taking into consideration human health and safety, competition with or effect on native species, prolific breeders, and agricultural pests.

(h) The above mentioned requirements do not apply to Class III Wildlife.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-15-.01

Original rule filed February 12, 1996; effective April 27, 1996. Amendments filed February 28, 2005; effective May 14, 2005.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 70-1-206, 70-4-401, and 70-4-404.