Section 147.282. Safety

(a) Cage construction shall be sufficiently strong to contain the wildlife and to protect the animal from injury from other specimens on exhibit. Caging determined unsafe by Commission personnel shall be reconstructed as directed. Reconstruction shall be completed and approved within 30 days after official notification from the Commission.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), wildlife may not be removed from cages or directly exposed to the public. Safety barriers shall be present to adequately prevent wildlife from touching, grasping or biting visitors. Barriers, such as walls, fences, moats, retaining rails and other necessary devices shall be present to prevent the public from approaching the cages, pens, enclosures or areas near enough to contact the wildlife.

(c) Public human contact with the following designated animals is permitted under the specified conditions:

(1) Ruminant animals.

(2) Organ grinder monkeys, trained performing chimpanzees and elephants if under the immediate control of the handler to preclude danger to the public.

(d) Wildlife other than members of the families Ursidae, Felidae and wild Canidae when exhibited on a stage or in an arena, may be removed from their cage by the exhibitor in a manner precluding danger to the public. Other human contact with the wildlife is prohibited.

The provisions of this § 147.282 adopted June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464.

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 147.282 issued under The Game Law (34 P. S. § § 1311.101—1311.1502) (Repealed); and the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § § 101—2965.