L.W.F.C. APPROVES WILDLIFE REHABILITATION NOTICE OF INTENT

Release Date: 10/01/2009
2009-292 The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission today adopted a notice of intent that outlines rules for wildlife rehabilitators permitted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

An LDWF Wildlife Rehabilitators Permit (WRP) is free of charge and is required to keep, hold or possess any sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. In addition to the WRP, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rehabilitation permit is required to rehabilitate any species covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or Endangered Species Act.

A WRP authorizes the permittee to provide housing, treatment and temporary care of injured or orphaned wildlife with the goal of subsequent release of the healthy animal back into the wild.

Permit requirements would be as follows:

1) All applicants must be at least 18 years old.

2) Anyone who has been convicted of a Class II or greater wildlife violation in Louisiana or the equivalent in another state in the past three years, or has been convicted of a felony shall not be eligible for a WRP.

3) All applicants must complete a WRP application, liability release and financial responsibility statement.

4) The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 80 percent on either the LDWF general wildlife rehabilitation rabies vector species examination. A passing score on the general wildlife rehabilitation exam is required before an individual and named subpermittees will be issued a WRP excluding rabies vector species, which include raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks and bats.

5) All applicants must attend and successfully complete a LDWF approved wildlife rehabilitation class prior to or within six months of receiving their WRP.

6) All applicants must provide verification of having access to veterinary services by submitting a statement of veterinary support form provided by LDWF.

7) All facilities where animals will be housed or maintained will be inspected by LDWF prior to receiving a WRP.

Some of the proposed WRP rules are listed below:

1) The WRP will not exempt the holder from regulations of other state, federal, parish or municipal governments or agencies.

2) The sale of any animal held under a WRP is prohibited.

3) No animal held under a WRP may be used for human consumption.

4) The WRP does not authorize the possession of whitetail deer, bears, wild turkeys, alligators or rabies vector species unless specifically stated on the permit.

5) WRP holders must ensure that animals are exposed to minimal handling and human contact.

6) Permits are non-transferable but may include up to five listed subpermittees.

7) LDWF provides no financial or material assistance to wildlife rehabilitators.

Animals held under a WRP shall not be released on public or private land without obtaining permission from the landowner.

Interested persons may submit public comment on this notice of intent to Carrie Salyers, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife Division, PO Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000 by Dec. 3, 2009.

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L.W.F.C. APPROVES WILDLIFE REHABILITATION NOTICE OF INTENT

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