Animal Movement

Exotic Species including Exotic Ruminants

This information is current as of May 9, 2013 

IMPORTING EXOTIC SPECIES FROM OUTSIDE WISCONSIN

Most of the species covered on this page require the following:

Exotic Ruminants

Elephants

Zebras and Other Exotic Equines

Lions, Tigers, and Other Large Cats

Parrots, Macaws, and Other Exotic Birds (Excluding Raptors)

Kangaroos and Wallabies

Amphibians and Reptiles

Wild Species Native to North America

Prohibited Animals

How to Determine if it’s Legal to Own a Particular Species

Exotic Ruminants

These requirements apply to any ruminant that is not indigenous to Wisconsin and that is not a bovine or cervid. This classification includes, but is not limited to, yaks, water buffalo, pronghorn antelope, giraffes, vicuñas and Old World camels (go here for the import requirements for alpacas, llamas and guanacos). Exotic ruminants entering Wisconsin need the following:

o    Tuberculosis – negative TB test required within 60 days before entry. Requirement waived if you are moving the animal directly to an institution that is accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.

o    Brucellosis – negative brucellosis test required within 30 days before entry. Requirement waived if you are moving the animal directly to an institution that is accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.

o    Vesicular stomatitis (VS) – there are special requirements if this rare disease has been diagnosed in your state.

The import permit process is explained here.

Elephants

All of the following are required:

Not required: 

Zebras and Other Exotic Equines

All of the following are required:  

Not required:  

For more information, please visit our Horses and Other Equines webpage.

The import permit process is explained here.

Lions, Tigers, and Other Large Cats

The following are required:

Not required:

The import permit process is explained here.

Parrots, Macaws and Other Exotic Birds (Excluding Raptors)

All of the following are required:

Kangaroos and Wallabies

The following are required:

Not required:   

The import permit process is explained here.

Amphibians and Reptiles

The following are required:

Not required: 

The import permit process is explained here.

Wild Species Native to North America

Please visit our Wild Animals webpage.  The import permit process is explained here.

Prohibited animals

These animals may not be brought into Wisconsin:

• Prairie dogs

Any of the following Africa-origin rodent species:

• Tree squirrels
• Rope squirrels
• Dormice
• Gambian giant pouched rats
• Brush-tailed porcupine
• Striped mice

Please note: Aside from the prohibited species listed above, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection does not determine if it is legal to own a particular exotic animal species. DATCP strongly encourages you to contact officials at all levels of the local government in the destination jurisdiction (county, township, and municipality) to determine their regulations on animal ownership.

Some animals are prohibited or restricted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Please visit the WDNR website for more information. Their list of animal invasive species can be found here.

MOVING EXOTIC ANIMALS WITHIN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin does not have specific requirements for moving exotic animals within Wisconsin.

EXPORTING EXOTIC ANIMALS OUT OF WISCONSIN

Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for exotic animals. Please contact the state or nation of destination to learn the import requirements.