Code of Alabama        Alabama Administrative Code

Alabama LAWS

CANIDAE AND FELIDAE

BANS "any canidae or felidae for which there is no USDA licensed rabies vaccine".

EXEMPT:

• zoological parks
  
• circuses
  
• colleges and universities
  
• animal refuges licensed by state Agriculture and Industries
  
• county or municipal humane shelters
  
• Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
  
• veterinary clinics
  

GRANDFATHER: Owners in 1994 who spayed and neutered their animals and registered with Department of Agriculture and Industries

(Ala. Code § Section 3-8-1)

TURTLES

BANS propagating non-indigenous turtles and importing for propagation.

PERMIT required for native turtles used for commercial business.

• Turtle Farmer's Permit (propagate captive-born or incubating/hatching eggs for sale, stocking or commercial use)
  
• Turtle Dealer's Permit (sell, purchase, trade, import, export of live turtles)
  

REQUIREMENTS:

• Turtle farmers must meet enclosure and care requirements
  

• Annual reports before renewal with name and permit number, buyer's/seller's name and address, date of transaction, origin of turtles, quantity and species, amount paid/received, and signature of permit holder

• Import requires bill of lading with name, permit number, date of shipment, quantity and species, origin, destination, total value and signature of owner/transporter

WILD TAKE:

• May NOT take turtles from wild for commercial use.
  

• Take up to 2 a day by hand, dip net or hook and line for private use
  

• EXEMPT:
  
  • Nuisance turtles taken from farm pond by turtle farmer used as breeders under nuisance permit
    
  • Nuisance turtles taken by farm pond owner if not sold or traded for value
    

(Ala. Admin. Code § 220-2-.142)
Authority: Code of Alabama 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12

BLACK BEARS

BANNED as protected species.

EXEMPT:

• scientific or survival research
  
• zoological exhibition
  
• education
  
• other approved purpose
  

(Ala. Code § Sec. 9-11-481)

PROTECTED NONGAME

BANS possession,propagation, sale, trade for monetary value, take, capture or killing of protected nongame species.

• LIST: Alabama DNR List
  
  • NEW Adds hybrids, crawfish frog, little grass frogs, mudpuppy, reticulated siren, and native king snakes AND replaces English sparrow with house sparrows and pigeons with rock pigeons (Effective 11/14/22)
    
    
• EXEMPT:
  
  • Scientific collection permit
    
  • Other approved permit
    

NEW Eastern diamondback rattlesnake restriction now includes hybrids and parts.

• relocation exemption is for native habitat in county of capture
  

NEW BANS sale and trade including parts and products of box turtles

• EXEMPT:permit
  
• LIMIT 1 box turtle for possession
  

(Ala. Admin. Code § 220-2-.92)

UNPROTECTED NATIVE SPECIES

Unprotected native species are legal to possess, take and import without a Department of Conservation permit.

(Alabama DCNR)

PROHIBITED AND PROTECTED SPECIES

BANS possession, sale, offering for sale, import, bringing,and release along with intrastate transport of list of species.

• EXEMPT:
  
  • Displays by carnivals, zoos, circuses, and other shows and exhibits that prevent escape
    
  • Accredited educational, research and rehabilitation facilities with written permission from Director
    
  • Intrastate transport by game breeders
    
  • Transport through state with appropriate state permit
    

• LIST (10/15/20):  
  
  • Fish:
    
    • walking catfish (Clarias)
      
    • piranha (Serrasalmus, Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Catorprion, or Pygopristus)
      
    • Nile perch, Asian seabass, barramundi and other perches (Lates, Macquaria)
      
    • black carp (Mylopharyngoden)
      
    • Nonnative sturgeon
      
    • Chinese perch (Siniperca)
      
    • snakehead (Channidae - Chamui spp.)
      
    • mud carp (Cirrhinus)
      
    • Rudd, roach or hybrids
      
    • Zander
      
    • European perch
      
    • Eurasian minnow
      
    • Wels catfish
      
    • Prussian carp
      
    • Crucian carp
      
    • Nonnative eel (Anguillidae)
      
    • Amur sleeper
      
  • Snail:
    
    • giant African snail
      
    • giant African land snail
      
  • Reptile:
    
    • nonindigenous venomous reptiles (never naturally existed in the state including families Viperidae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae, Hydrophiidae and Collubridae but excluding hognose snakes)
      
    • Tegus
      
    • US Injurious Species
      
  • Amphibians: US Injurious Species
    
  • Birds: US Injurious Species
    
  • Mammals:
    
    • mongoose
      
    • San Juan rabbits, jackrabbits or wild hares
      
    • Any of the following from outside the state:
      
      • cervidae, coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk, wild rodent, strain of wild turkey, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, Pronghorn antelope, nondomestic pig, peccaries, and bovidae except bison
        
    • US Injurious Species
      

BANS release of tame or wild turkeys.

•    EXEMPT: Turkeys for agriculture or personal consumption by farmers or landowners
  

BANS possession of live protected wild birds and animals or their embryos or eggs.

• EXEMPT: Deer restricted by natural or manmade barriers that remain wild and not under domestic animal management practices
  

• GRANDFATHER: Protected species owned prior to being added for which a permit was obtained
  

BANS release of mammals, reptiles and amphibians that did not originate from AL and captive-raised.

•   EXEMPT: Release of mammals, reptiles and amphibians under license or permit
  

BANS release of non-indigenous seafoods into state waters. 

• LIST:
  
  • oysters,
    
  • saltwater fish,
    
  • saltwater shrimp,
    
  • diamond back terrapin,
    
  • sea turtle,
    
  • crabs
    
  • all other marine or saltwater animal found in Alabama waters
    

INVERTEBRATES

BANS possession, sale, trade of monetary value, take, capture and kill of several species of crayfish, snails, mussels and other invertebrates.

• LIST: See section for list
  
• EXEMPT::
  
  • Scientific collection permit
    
  • Written permit
    

Federally protected species must have any required permit.

(Ala. Admin. Code § 200-2-.98)

PUBLIC EXHIBITION PERMIT

BANS:

• breeding of native protected species except by special permit
  
• import of cervids - no exceptions
  
• breeding of native protected species except by special permit
  
• sale or transfer of native protected species
  
• possessing wild-caught species except as otherwise allowed
  
• facilities on residential only property
  

PERMIT required for possession of wildlife (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) for public exhibition.

• LIST (6/23/17):  
  
  • Class I:
    
    • Primates - chimpanzee, gorilla, gibbon, drill and mandrill, orangutan, baboon, macaque, siamang, Gelada baboon, Celebes black apes (Colobus)
      
    • Felines - snow leopard, leopard, jaguar, tiger, lion, clouded leopard, cheetah, cougar
      
    • Bears
      
    • Ungulates - rhino, elephant, hippo, cape buffalo
      
    • Herptiles - crocodiles except dwarf and Congo, gavial, black caiman, komodo dragon, alligator, venomous reptiles
      
    • Canines - wolf, African hunting dog
      
    • Other - hyena
      
    • Hybrids - most restricted parent
      
  • Class II:
    
    • Primates - howler monkey, uakaris, mangabey, guenon, bearded saki, Guereza monkey, indri, langur, douc langur, snub-nosed langur, proboscis monkey
      
    • Felines - serval, European and Canadian lynx, bobcat, caracal, African golden cat, Temminck's golden cat, fishing cat, ocelot
      
    • Canines - coyote, jackals (Asiatic, black-backed and side-striped), Indian dhole
      
    • Mustelids - wolverine, honey badger, American badger, Old World badger
      
    • Viverrids - binturong
      
    • Herptiles - dwarf crocodile, caiman
      
    • Birds - cassowary
      
    • Hybrids - most restricted parent
      
  • Class III: All unlisted wildlife
    

• EXEMPT:
  
  • Publicly owned zoos or wildlife exhibits
    
  • private traveling zoos
    
  •  circuses
    
  •  pet shops
    
  • Sale or transfer of native protected species to exhibitors
    
  • AZA is automatically considered meeting caging and care standards
    

• REQUIREMENTS:
  
  • 21 or older
    
  • NO conviction of captive wildlife violations, illegal commercialization of wildlife, illegal import of prohibited species or animal cruelty since effective date
    
  • Have relevant experience:
    
    • Class I and II: must be USDA, 1 year (1000 hours) of documented practical experience in care, feeding, handling and husbandry of species (500 hours may be substituted with 2 years of zoology or biological science)
      
    • Class III: 6 months (500 hours) of documented practical experience (250 hours may be substituted with 1 year of zoology or biological science
      
    • Experience requires 2 references
      
    • 80% or more on written examination may be substituted for experience
      
  • Must demonstrate they will not create threat to public or animal
    
  • Must follow standards of care (no tethering)
    
  • Inspections
    
  • Maintain animal inventory
    
  • State and federal endangered species must be legally obtained
    
  • Immediately notify department of escape
    
  • Notify department within 24 hours of any attacks on humans
    
  • 5 acres required for Class I and II and 2.5 acres for Class III
    

(9 Ala. Code Ch. 11 Art. 11; Ala. Admin. Code § 220-2-.154)

GAME AND FURBEARERS

PERMIT required to breed game birds and animals and furbearers along with nonindigenous game before May 2006 and offspring.

• Game Breeders Permit (commercial purpose) - $250 for 50 cervids, $500 for up to 100 cervids, $1000 for >100 cervids, and $250 for all other species
  
• Nonindigenous Game Breeders Permit (nonnative species before 5/1/06 and offspring)
  
• Propagation Permit (noncommercial purpose) - $1
  

LIST:

• Protected game birds and animals
  
  •  Game animals (6/23/17): bear, beaver, coyote, deer, opossum, Eastern cottontail and swamp rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, nutria, fox, cougar, groundhog, bobcat, red wolf, feral swine, alligator
    
  • Resident game bird: bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, wild turkey
    
  • Migatory game bird: wild ducks and geese, brant; Virginia, King and clapper rail; sora; coot, Wilson's snipe, woodcock, mourning and white-winged dove, gallinule, merganser, sandhill crane
    
• Fur-bearers: bobcat, coyote, fox, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, otter, raccoon, striped skunk, feral swine
  
• Cervids established in state by May 2006: whitetail deer, elk, and fallow deer
  
• Nonindigenous species imported by 5/1/2006 and offspring
  

GAME BREEDER REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Allow investigation before permit is issued
• Allow inspections at reasonable times
• NO violations of importing animals into state in violation of law after 5/2006
  
• Submit accurate records of stock and inventory changes caused by births, deaths, escapes, transports, releases, transfers, sales, purchases or other causes (estimates allowed for non-indigenous not bred)
  
• Fawns need ear tag with earliest date either transported, transferred, released or April 1 of year after birth
  
• Provided physical address of each property and notify of changes
• Notify of deaths within 24 hours via database or phone AND allow disease testing if 12 months+
  
• Notify of escapes within 24 hours via database or phone AND coordinate recapture efforts AND must recapture deer within 10 days (may extend 10 more days)
• Report any release, transfer, sale or purchase of game animals that change inventory via user’s account or phone with date and location and game breeder number if applicable
• Transport of game animals requires transport number by providing animals being transported and destination – valid for 10 days
• NOT move any animals if notified by Division about disease risk until approved
• Cervids need premises registration number and compliance with herd health or monitoring plan
• Only acquire animals from other game breeders except with permission
  

(Ala. Admin. Code § 220-2-.138)
AUTHORITY: Ala. Code § 9-11-30, 9-11-31, 9-11-261

IMPORT

The Department has authority to regulate the importation of animals.

• EXEMPT: Displays for carnivals, circuses, zoos, and other shows
  

(Ala. Code § 9-2-13)

IMPORT (Agriculture & Industries)

REQUIREMENTS:

Wild/Semi-Wild Animals - Must notify State Veterinarian with numbers at least 10 days before import and comply with any inspections.

• Cervids – CVI, individual identification, negative brucellosis (if 6 months+) and single cervical TB test within 30 days prior
  
• Accredited zoos, research, exhibition, treatment and rehabilitation facilities – CWD monitoring program
  
• Camelids – CVI, USDA metal ear tag or tattoo, negative brucellosis within 30 days prior if 6 months+ except castrated males
  
• Wild canines/felines – import only if allowed under law
  

Traveling circuses, menageries, wild animal shows, and all animal shows exhibiting in state must notify State Veterinarian at least 10 days before import and provide dates and locations of shows during the 15 days prior. 

(Ala. Admin. Code § 80-3-6)