Take Protected Animals Permits

(Section 53 (1)(d) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972)

Access to native wildlife

Royal Spoonbill
Photo: A Robinson

Many thousands of Australians derive a great deal of enjoyment, understanding and appreciation for native wildlife from their interactions with captive wildlife. Consequently, a viable trade in live fauna exists in South Australia and other states and territories, with trade generally confined to captive-bred stock. The size of the market, ease of keeping and breeding, value of the animal and availability of species to be taken from the wild, all serve to regulate the availability of protected animals within the trade.

We have developed a Take from the Wild Policy, Procedure and Standard framework that facilitates the taking of native animals from the wild for the purpose of establishing and maintaining captive colonies.

Applicants may include private keepers and breeders, wildlife demonstrators, wildlife exhibitors such as zoos and wildlife parks, wildlife management agencies, and businesses involved in the production of biological products. Note: applications from non-South Australian residents will only be considered in situations where the applicant represents a recognised wildlife park or ARAZPA institution.

Ethic

Heath Monitor
Photo: D Armstrong

The Take from the Wild Policy adopts the ethic that limited take from the wild is acceptable, and provides valuable opportunities for the broader public to interact with and develop an affinity for a diverse range of native wildlife. While the Policy directs that the removal of any wildlife is undertaken in an ecologically acceptable manner, it also recognises the broader conservation and public knowledge benefits that are acquired through having wildlife in captivity. In addition, potential economic, social or educational benefits are derived from keeping and breeding wildlife in captivity.

Conservation Criteria

Southern Brown Bandicoot
Photo: S Doyle)

We promote fair and reasonable access to wildlife, and in assessing any application, will consider the impacts on wild populations, reason for taking an animal from the wild, conservation status of species in the wild, status of the species in captivity and the knowledge and experience of the applicant. Naturally, those species of higher conservation concern are subject to additional considerations.

Permit fee and royalties

A permit fee and royalties are payable. The royalty payable is dependent on the conservation rating of the protected species and the number of animals approved to be taken on permit. The permit fee and royalties paid are not refunded if animals are not successfully collected. Permits will be granted for a period of 12 months. Permit extensions will not be granted. Applicants may re-apply for a Take from the Wild permit if they fail to obtain the total number of animals specified on the permit within the original permit period. Permit and royalty fees will apply for subsequent permits.

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Who assesses each application?

Koala
Photo: D Whisson

Our Biodiversity Conservation Program, Investigations and Compliance Unit and Animal Welfare Unit contribute expertise to the assessment and decision making process for all permit applications. The Fauna Permit Unit co-ordinates the application processes and performs associated administrative duties.

The Take from the Wild Policy outlines our position on taking protected animals from the wild for the purpose of supplementing or introducing new species to captive trade, for display of native animals, the production of biological products, or as part of a threatened species recovery program.

See Take from the Wild Policy (100Kb PDF)

The Take from the Wild Standard lists the assessment parameters and criteria for considering permit applications.

See Take from the Wild Standard (50Kb PDF)

Taking Protected Animals from the Wild for Scientific Purposes

(Section 53 (1)(a) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972)

There are separate provisions and policies in place that cover the taking of protected animals from the wild for scientific purposes.

As a general principle, we support and encourages responsible scientific research in any field under its jurisdiction, recognising both the value of the potential knowledge to the understanding and management of the environment, and other broader values to the rest of the community.

An application to take animals for scientific purposes must satisfy a range of requirements. Approval will also depend on the applicant meeting the requirements of the South Australian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1985). These requirements are summarised below.

The application must comply with a broad definition of scientific research, in that:

The general aim of the project is to gain new knowledge for public benefit, or,
If for commercial gain, that the public, through the Government, receive due compensation for any income derived from the property of the Crown, or,
The project is an exercise that is part of a recognised course for education in science.
The project aims and methodology follow accepted scientific principles.
The results of the research are fully documented and made publicly available or, if subject to commercial confidentiality agreements, making publicly available aspects of the research deemed not to breach that confidentiality.

The three main criteria used to assess a Scientific Permit application are:

the importance of the research
the standing of the applicant and the research institution
the impact the research is likely to have on the values of the reserve or the conservation status of the wildlife population on which the research is being conducted.

Additionally, the South Australian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1985) requires that all animal researchers must be covered by a Licence for Teaching, Research or Experimentation Involving Animals.

It is also a requirement of that Act that all licensed researchers must then have each project involving animals reviewed and endorsed by an official South Australian animal ethics committee (established under that Act).

Our Research Permits Section manages the Scientific Permit application and approval processes. The Research Permits Section also manages the Wildlife Ethics Committee. This committee can review animal research applications from applicants that have no access to any other South Australian ethics committee.

The Licence for Teaching, Research or Experimentation Involving Animals is obtained from our Animal Welfare Unit. The Research Permits Section requires applications to be submitted electronically as Word documents (not in PDF format or as hard copies only).

For an electronic version of the Scientific Permit Application form or for any enquires please email researchpermits@saugov.sa.gov.au.

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