An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Please note: Importation of Game Birds - In addition to obtaining a transportation permit from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the applicant is responsible to ensure that the shipment is compliance with the Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture’s entry and avian influenza requirements. (302 KAR 20:020, 20:040, 20:250) In light of recent highly pathogenic avian influenza occurrences in the U.S., birds must originate from a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) avian influenza H5/H7 certified flock. For consideration of permit requests and NPIP certification requirements, applicants are urged to contact the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at 502-782-5901.
Please note: Importation of Salamanders - In light of the recent threat of introduction of the salamander chytrid fungus into U.S, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued an interim rule under the Lacey Act by which the importation, transportation, or acquisition of any live or dead specimen of the following genera is prohibited: Chioglossa, Cynops, Euproctus, Hydromantes, Hynobius, Ichthyosaura, Lissotriton, Neurergus, Notophthalmus, Onychodactylus, Paramesotriton, Plethodon, Pleurodeles, Salamandra, Salamandrella, Salamandrina, Siren, Taricha, Triturus, and Tylototriton.
Please note: Importation of Exotic or Native Wildlife - All shipments of wildlife, except for amphibians and reptiles, must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection issued by a veterinarian (301 KAR 2:081/082).
The Department does not issue permits for the holding (i.e. possession within Kentucky) of exotic wildlife; however, importation or transportation of exotic wildlife from out-of-state, requires a wildlife transportation permit. Environmentally injurious and inherently-dangerous exotic wildlife species are prohibited unless you’re exempted; and some species regularly held as livestock or pets are exempt from the transportation permit requirement.
What does this really mean?
Local ordinances may be stricter than state regulation, and some counties and cities prohibit additional species or restrict wildlife possession beyond the level of the state. It is a person’s individual responsibility to ensure compliance with all local ordinances. Always ensure a species you plan to possess is legal through all levels of government.
*Exotic wildlife shall not be released into the wild,* with the exception of pheasants and chukars.
Environmentally Injurious - A person shall not import, possess, or transport through Kentucky the following species:
Inherently Dangerous - A person shall not import or possess the following species:
With limited exceptions the following shall not be imported or possessed:
The following shall not be imported or transported through Kentucky:
For more information on native wildlife, go here.
A wildlife transportation permit shall be obtained for all shipments of wildlife (native or exotic) prior to:
There are two types of wildlife transportation permits:
All shipments of wildlife, excepting reptiles and amphibians, shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection. This is not required with your application; it must be with the wildlife during shipment and available if stopped for inspection.
A person may apply for a transportation permit to temporarily transport into and through the state to a destination outside of Kentucky a prohibited inherently-dangerous species and shall not:
Individual wildlife transportation permits are valid for only the range of dates authorized upon issuance.
Annual wildlife transportation permits are valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance.
An applicant for a wildlife transportation permit shall be at least 18 years old and submit an application fee ($25 individual, $250 annual) and completed individual wildlife transportation permit application or annual wildlife transportation permit application.
**Online Option** An applicant for an individual wildlife transportation permit may also utilize our online application system to quickly complete their application at any time, provide payment by credit/debit card, and have a printable permit without delay. Proceed to the online application system.
301 KAR 2:082. Transportation and holding of exotic wildlife
Starting January 2020, online transportation permit applications will go through a screening process to ensure species can legally enter Kentucky. Some permits will no longer be available immediately for printing. To ensure permits are approved in a timely manner, the Department recommends applying for online transportation permits at least 5-7 business days before shipment.
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