Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-11-4-5; IC 14-11-4-9; IC 14-22-26

Affected: IC 14-11-4; IC 14-22-26-2

Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in IC 14-22-26-2 or as exempted under subsections (d) and (e), a person must have a permit issued by the department under this rule to possess a wild animal if the wild animal is either of the following:

1. (1) Referenced in this rule.
2. (2) Listed in this article as an endangered species or a threatened species.

(b) A separate permit:

1. (1) is required for each individual wild animal; and
2. (2) applies only to the location stated in the permit.

(c) A permit issued under this rule expires one (1) year from the date of issuance. If a timely and sufficient application is made for a permit renewal under section 3 of this rule, however, the permit does not expire until the department has entered a final determination with respect to the renewal application.

(d) A wild animal that is possessed under any of the following licenses and permits is exempted from this rule:

1. (1) A game breeder license issued under 312 IAC 9-10-4.
2. (2) A scientific purposes license issued under 312 IAC 9-10-6.
3. (3) A wild animal rehabilitation permit issued under 312 IAC 9-10-9.
4. (4) An endangered species of turtle possessed under 312 IAC 9-5-11.

(e) This rule does not apply to the lawful taking or possessing of a wild animal as follows:

1. (1) During a season established under this article.
2. (2) During the first six (6) months from the date of birth, if the animal is the offspring of a wild animal lawfully possessed under this rule.
3. (3) The mammal is possessed by a zoo, carnival, animal dealer, pet shop, circus, or nature center licensed under 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts I through IV.
4. (4) During the interstate shipment of animals through the state of Indiana.

(f) A person who possesses a wild animal under this rule is responsible for complying with all applicable requirements of this rule, including those that govern permit renewals and permit site relocations.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-11-1; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2737; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; filed Sep 23, 2004, 3:00 p.m.: 28 IR 554; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Feb 28, 2014, 8:01 a.m.: 20140326-IR-312130024FRA; 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)