Ohio Administrative Code
Title 901:1 - Animal Industry
Chapter 901:1-4 - Dangerous Wild Animals
Section 901:1-4-06 - Family - hippopotamidae, elephantidae, rhinocerotidae, bovidae (cape buffalo only)
Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 901:1-4-06
Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
This rule applies exclusively to the species listed as dangerous wild animals in divisions (C)(9) to (C)(12) of section 935.01 of the Revised Code.
(A) Primary enclosures:
(1) Shall be constructed of steel bars,
masonry block, rock wall or equivalent.
(2) Vertical posts:
(a) If using horizontal cables, the vertical
posts shall not be more than sixteen feet apart with horizontal cables not more
than twelve inches apart; or,
(b)
If horizontal cables are not used, the vertical posts shall not be more than
twelve inches apart.
If wooden posts are used they must be a minimum of twelve inches in diameter, not be treated with creosote, and utilize a secondary deterrent.
(B) Family - hippopotamidae
(1) For one animal, the primary enclosure
shall be a minimum of one thousand two hundred square feet, and be five feet
high. For each additional animal, the primary enclosure shall be increased by
six hundred square feet.
(2) A Nile
hippopotamus shall be provided with a pool of water four hundred square feet,
five feet deep, and equipped with a ramp or steps. For each additional animal,
the pool surface area must be increased by two hundred square feet.
(3) A Pygmy hippopotamus shall be provided
with a pool of water one hundred twenty square feet, five feet deep, and
equipped with a ramp or steps. For each additional animal, the pool surface
area shall be increased by sixty square feet.
(4) Pools shall be drained and cleaned at
least one time daily, or filtered using a system approved by the
director.
(C) Family - elephantidae
(1) For one female, the primary
enclosure shall be a minimum of two thousand square feet. For each additional
female, the primary enclosure shall be increased by one thousand square
feet.
(2) For one male, the primary
enclosure shall be a minimum of four thousand square feet. For each additional
male the primary enclosure shall be increased by two thousand square
feet.
(3) For one female with a
calf, the primary enclosure shall be a minimum of four thousand square feet.
For each additional animal the primary enclosure shall be increased by two
thousand square feet.
(4) If
indoors, primary enclosures indoors shall have a twenty-five feet high
ceiling,
(5) Primary enclosures
shall have access to a natural substrate.
(6)
Unless otherwise directed by a
veterinarian, elephants shall not be subjected to unnecessary prolonged
restraint by way of tethering. Tethering shall not prohibit normal
postural movement.
(7) If housed
outdoors, elephants shall have available water, mud, dust, soil, or sand to
allow elephants to thermo-regulation;
(8) All elephant facilities shall have an
elephant restraint device (ERD), or demonstrate a method of restraint that
allows necessary husbandry, veterinary, and reproductive procedures to occur in
a safe and efficient manner for all elephants in the facility. Use of the ERD
shall not be weather dependent.
(9)
Permit holders possessing more than one of the animals regulated under
paragraph (C) of this rule shall house them in stable pairs or groups of
compatible individuals; except where single housing is justified based on
social incompatibility resulting from inappropriate behavior or veterinary
concerns regarding animal well-being.
(D) Family - rhinocerotidae
For one animal, the primary enclosure shall be a minimum of one thousand five hundred square feet, and eight feet high. For each additional animal, the primary enclosure shall be increased by seven hundred fifty square feet.
(E) Family - bovidae; common name: cape buffalo
(1) For one animal,
the primary enclosure shall be a minimum of seven hundred square feet and eight
feet high. For each additional animal the primary enclosure shall be increased
by three hundred fifty square feet.
(2) The animal shall have access to a water
source for swimming or mud wallowing.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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