WILDLIFE (cont.)

wildlife if they are improperly kept that we do require a permitting process to help prevent issues that may arise from escape or disease transmission.”

Captive wildlife species in Arkansas fall under one of three categories, based on their potential risk to human health and the health of native wildlife:

• Unrestricted species may be possessed without a permit and may be imported, bred or sold without importation permits or breeder/dealer permits issued from the AGFC.

Many of the common exotic pets found at pet stores are on this list.

• Permitted species may only be imported, bred or sold in accordance with Codes 9.07 (Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit) and 9.10 (Wildlife Importation Permit). These species could present a danger to people, domestic animals or native wildlife should they escape captivity.

• Prohibited species are those species which pose an extreme risk to humans, domestic animals or native wildlife or those species that collection from the wild could contribute to declines or extinctions within their native range, both in Arkansas and abroad. Breeding, sale and importation of these species is not allowed and no permits will be issued by the AGFC other than for special circumstances such as accredited zoos and raptor propagators permitted WILDLIFE (cont.)

by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Complete and up-to-date species lists are available at www.agfc.com/en/wildlifemanagement/ captivewildlife/ species-lists.

As part of the new regulations, the AGFC is allowing those Arkansans who wish to possess, breed or sell certain wildlife to apply for required permits even if they do not have all the proper documentation normally required.

“We want to give people the opportunity to get into compliance with the regulations but we need to make sure we continue to protect Arkansans and our natural resources,” Warriner said.

The new Venomous Reptile Permit also is an effort to allow owners of medically significant venomous reptiles to continue to own their pets while again protecting the interest of the general public.

Applications, fact sheets and species lists concerning captive wildlife are available at www.agfc.com /en/wildlife-management/