Section 147.304. Wildlife rehabilitation permits

(a) Wildlife rehabilitation permits. Wildlife rehabilitation permits will be limited as follows:

(1) A maximum of two permits, including all classes, covering all species may be issued for each county with the following exceptions:

(i) The estimated population of the county exceeds 300,000.

(ii) The land area of the county exceeds 1,000 square miles.

(iii) Unusual circumstances exist which create a specific recommendation from the Council for an increase in the limitation.

(iv) Due to the issuance of permits which limit rehabilitation to specific types of wildlife (mammals, nonraptor avian species or raptors), the number of permits issued would not exceed two of any specific species listed in this subparagraph, unless excepted by subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii).

(2) Permit limits for counties excepted in subsection (a) may be increased as follows:

(i) One permit for each additional 300,000 in the estimated population.

(ii) One permit where land area exceeds 1,000 square miles.

(iii) One permit for unusual circumstances, when specifically recommended by the Council.

(3) Exceptions will be recommended by the Council and approved by the Bureau of Wildlife Protection.

(b) Novice class wildlife rehabilitation permits.

(1) Qualifications.

(i) New applicants shall successfully pass a supervised examinationwith a minimum score of 80%.

(ii) The applicant shall appear for and successfully pass an oral examination/interview which shall be conducted by members of the Council and the Bureau of Wildlife Protection. The applicant shall submit photographs or videotape with commentary of their facility for review.

(2) Permit conditions.

(i) The permittee shall have facilities established which are adequate for the proper care and rehabilitation of the wildlife types listed on the permit. These facilities shall be inspected and approved by the district wildlife conservation officer prior to accepting wildlife for rehabilitation.

(ii) The permittee may not hold endangered or threatened species for rehabilitation. An endangered or threatened species received shall immediately be transferred to the nearest properly permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

(iii) Educational use of rehabilitation wildlife permits will not be issued to novice wildlife rehabilitators unless specifically recommended by the Council and approved by the Bureau of Wildlife Protection.

(iv) A novice wildlife rehabilitator may list no more than five capture and transportation permittees on its permits.

(v) A novice wildlife rehabilitator may appoint no more than five responsible individuals to assist in providing food and housing for wildlife being rehabilitated. It is the permittee’s responsibility to notify the Bureau of Wildlife Protection in writing of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the appointees and necessary changes as they occur.

(vi) A novice wildlife rehabilitator shall only renew his permit for 1 permit year at a time.

(vii) A novice wildlife rehabilitator may only remain as a novice for a period not to exceed 2 years. After the second year is reached, the permit will be voided and game or wildlife held under that permit shall be removed and relocated to another permitted facility, unless the novice has applied for an upgrade or as otherwise directed by the Director.

(viii) A novice wildlife rehabilitator shall have outside conditioning or prerelease cages established before an upgrade to a general class will be approved.

(ix) A novice wildlife rehabilitator request for upgrade to the class of general shall be reviewed and considered during the month of April only.

(c) General class wildlife rehabilitation permits.

(1) Qualifications.

(i) The applicant shall have actively rehabilitated wildlife for a minimum of 2 years as a novice wildlife rehabilitator or equivalent experience approved by the Council and the Bureau of Wildlife Protection.

(ii) [Submit photographs or videotape with commentary of the permittee’s facility to the Bureau of Law Enforcement for review by the Council.

(iii)] The applicant shall appear for and successfully pass an oral examination/interview conducted by members of the Council and the Bureau of Wildlife Protection. The applicant shall also submit photographs or videotape with commentary of his facility for review.

(2) Permit conditions.

(i) A permittee claiming equivalent experience under qualifications may not accept wildlife for rehabilitation prior to a facility’s inspection and approval by the district wildlife conservation officer.

(ii) A permittee may accept endangered, threatened or RVS for rehabilitation following proper additional certification under § 147.306 (relating to endangered, threatened RVS certification).

(iii) A general class wildlife rehabilitator may list no more than ten capture and transportation permittees in its permit.

(iv) A general class wildlife rehabilitator may appoint no more than ten responsible individuals to assist in providing food and housing for wildlife being rehabilitated, with the exception of endangered or threatened species. It shall be the permittee’s responsibility to notify the Bureau of Wildlife Protection in writing of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the appointees and necessary changes as they occur.

(v) Additional capture and transportation permittees and assistants may be listed, only with the advance approval of the Council and the Bureau of Wildlife Protection. A request must be in writing with justification for an increase.

The provisions of this § 147.304 amended March 8, 2002, effective March 9, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 1307; amended December 19, 2008, effective December 20, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 6928. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (287502) to (287503).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 147.304 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § 2901(b).