The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to repeal and replace the state’s current captive wildlife rules and is accepting public comments about the recently proposed rules through June 17.
The proposed rules clearly define what species of wildlife are allowed to be kept in captivity in Maine, what permits are required to keep and sell these species, and what conditions must be met to acquire certain permits. The new rules also allow the DIF&W to charge steeper fines to those in possession of wildlife illegally and give the department the ability to hire third-party contractors to carry out inspections of facilities where wildlife will be kept.
According to the proposal, the new rules will “provide consistency for the captive wildlife permitting process,” “will provide safeguards for Maine’s citizens, protect the integrity of Maine’s native species and will allow for inspections of an applicant’s facilities during the application process.”
A public hearing about the proposal was held Tuesday, June 7, at the Augusta Civic Center. For those who weren’t able to attend that hearing, public comments on the proposed rules are still being accepted and can be sent to Becky Orff of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by emailing becky.orff@maine.gov or sending mail to 284 State St. 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333.
At the public hearing, those in favor of and against the rules spoke out.
Among those in favor of the proposed rules at the hearing was Katie Hansberry, Maine state director of the Humane Society of the United States. Also speaking in favor of the proposal was Kris Snyder of New Hampshire, an animal rights activist who has spent the past year protesting the Maine animal sanctuary DEW Haven in Mount Vernon, which houses a wide variety of exotic animals and animals that are native to Maine. Snyder said the proposed rules are a “step in the right direction” and will require captive wildlife owners to keep more extensive records of their animals.
“With this new proposal, there’s going to be better tracking of animals,” Snyder said. “People need to be held more accountable for where baby animals go in this exotic wildlife business.”
On the other hand, many members of the public spoke in opposition to the new rules at the public hearing. Among those were owners, breeders and sellers of reptiles and amphibians in Maine who are concerned about the restrictions the rules will place on owning and selling certain exotic snakes, lizards and turtles, Snyder said.
According to the proposal, the rules will provide categories for different wildlife species based on levels of risk and describes the conditions that must be met in order to acquire a permit for each category of species. This rule proposes very limited species to be placed in each category.
DIF&W will take public comments into consideration while making a formal decision about the rules in August.
In addition, a technical committee will be reconvened and will focus on making recommendations for additional species to be placed in each category. Species and category recommendations will be provided to the DIF&W Commissioner to consider during a separate rulemaking process anticipated during fall of 2016.
To view a copy of the proposed Captive Wildlife Rules, visit http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Maine-Proposal-2016.pdf or email Becky Orff at becky.orff@maine.gov.