Authority: IC 14-22-2-6; IC 14-25-1

Affected: IC 14

Sec. 20. (a) A person must obtain a wild animal import permit under this section before the person can import:

1. (1) a mammal;
2. (2) a bird;
3. (3) a reptile;
4. (4) an amphibian;
5. (5) a mollusk; or
6. (6) a crustacean;

for release or sale for release in Indiana.

(b) A person shall submit an application for a wild animal import permit and the appropriate fee for each species or release site not less than ten (10) days in advance of proposed importation.

(c) A permit may be granted only if the applicant establishes the animal to be imported:

1. (1) is free of any communicable disease;
2. (2) will not become a nuisance; and
3. (3) will not damage a native wild animal, a domesticated species of animal, or a species of plant.

(d) A person shall apply for a permit under this section on a departmental form and must include the following:

1. (1) Information regarding the health and safe handling of the imported wild animal.
2. (2) The current and historic status of the species in the state.
3. (3) Information regarding the goal of releasing the specimen.
4. (4) The ability of the specimen to survive after release and achieve the release goal.
5. (5) The genetic appropriateness of the released specimen.
6. (6) Public support for a release.
7. (7) Anticipated post release impact and management guidelines.

(e) The department may require conditions in the permit that are lawful under IC 14 and this article.

(f) A permit issued under this rule expires one (1) year from the date of issuance.

(g) A person is exempted from the permitting requirements of this section if the wild animal to be imported is possessed under any of the following conditions:

1. (1) During interstate shipment through Indiana.
2. (2) By a zoo, carnival, menagerie, animal dealer, pet shop, circus, or nature center licensed under 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts I through IV.
3. (3) Following import into Indiana for confinement and exhibit in a zoo or other public display.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-10-20; filed May 28, 1998, 5:14 p.m.: 21 IR 3731; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Jul 6, 2010, 1:55 p.m.: 20100804-IR-312090616FRA; readopted filed May 20, 2014, 9:43 a.m.: 20140618-IR-312140017RFA; readopted filed Sep 18, 2019, 1:16 p.m.: 20191016-IR-312190325RFA; readopted filed Mar 25, 2025, 9:50 a.m.: 20250423-IR-312240574RFA)