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FWC sets new requirements for wildlife owners
December 6, 2007
Contact: Capt. Linda Harrison or Capt. John West, 850-488-6253
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) approved a new rule concerning exhibition of Class I wildlife and
venomous reptiles Thursday.
Owners of Class I (potentially very dangerous) wildlife
must maintain a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of contiguous
landowners and neighbors and notify the FWC immediately if an animal
escapes from its enclosure, cage, leash or other constraint. Also, they
are required to have a captive wildlife critical incident/disaster plan
that describes what they will do in the event of a hurricane, flood or
fire to prevent animals from escaping. They must maintain the
neighbor-notification information in the plan.
“These new requirements are aimed at better protecting
the public should an incident occur involving Class I captive wildlife
which can cause harm,” said Capt. Linda Harrison of the FWC’s
Investigations Section. “However, we are mindful not to take away
the rights of responsible wildlife owners.
“We want people who possess potentially dangerous
animals to be fully prepared should an escape or disaster occur. Having
a plan in place greatly minimizes a mishap,” Harrison said.
More information about wildlife ownership and exhibition
laws is available at
MyFWC.com/permits.
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