Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
Unconfined captive wildlife shall be maintained under rigid
supervision and control, so as to prevent injuries to members of the public. No
captive wildlife shall be tethered outdoors unsupervised. To provide for public
safety, all wildlife shall be tethered or controlled in such a manner as to
prevent physical contact with the public and a structural safety barrier, as
provided in paragraph
68A-6.009(2)(b),
F.A.C., must be present to prevent physical contact with unconfined Class I or
Class II wildlife except in instances where public contact is allowed in
subsection (1), below.
(1) Public
contact and exhibition.
(a) General: All
Class I, II or III wildlife that will be used for contact with the public shall
have been evaluated by the exhibitor to insure compatibility with the uses
intended. All wildlife shall be exhibited in a manner that prevents injuries to
the public and the wildlife. The exhibitor shall take reasonable sanitary
precautions to minimize the possibility of disease or parasite transmission
which could adversely affect the health or welfare of citizens or wildlife.
When any conditions exists that results in a threat to human safety, or the
welfare of the wildlife, the animal(s) shall, at the direction of a Commission
officer, be immediately removed from public contact for an interval necessary
to correct the unsafe or deficient condition.
(b) Class I wildlife shall only be permitted
to come into physical contact with the public in accordance with the following:
1. Full contact: For the purpose of this
section, full contact is defined as situations in which an exhibitor or
employee handler maintains proximate control and supervision, while temporarily
surrendering physical possession or custody of the animal to another. Full
contact with Class I wildlife is authorized only as follows:
a. Class I cats (Felidae only) that weigh not
more than twenty-five (25) pounds,
b. Chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas that
are not less than six (6) months of age and weigh not more than twenty-five
pounds,
c. Gibbons and siamangs not
less than four (4) months of age and not more than two (2) years of age,
d. Elephants as approved in Rule
68A-6.007,
F.A.C.
2. Incidental
contact: For the purpose of this section, incidental contact is defined as
situations in which an exhibitor or employee handler maintains control,
possession and supervision of the animal while permitting the public to come
into contact with it. Incidental contact with Class I wildlife is authorized
only as follows:
a. Class I carnivores except
cheetahs and cougars that weigh not more than 40 pounds,
b. Chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas that
are not less than six (6) months of age and weigh not more than 40
pounds,
c. Gibbons and siamangs
that are not less than four (4) months of age: no maximum poundage or age
limit,
d. Elephants,
e. Incidental contact with other Class I
wildlife must be approved in writing by the Commission prior to the use of the
wildlife for incidental contact with the public. Factors to be considered when
approving such contact are found in paragraph
(1)(a).
(c)
Public contact or handling intervals for Class I wildlife shall be limited as
to frequency, intensity, and duration so that such handling will not adversely
affect the health, welfare, or safety of the animals, nor expose the public to
injury.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law
Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla.
Const.
New 9-30-19.
