NR 16.27(4) (4) Application submission. Applicants shall apply for the license at least 20 business days prior to entering the state with any captive wild animals for which an exhibiting license is required.

NR 16.27(5) (5) Exceptions to pen requirements. All interactive sessions with captive wild animals shall comply with the requirements of s. NR 16.35 (7).

NR 16.27 History History: CR 03-030: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03.

NR 16.30 NR 16.30 Pen specifications, humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of captive wild animals.

NR 16.30(1) (1) Applicability. This section applies to captive wild animals that are required to be held under the authority of a ch. 169, Stats., license, except that coyote, fox and rabbit may be held pursuant to a hound dog training or trial license issued under s. 169.20 or 169.21, Stats., and confined to a hound dog training enclosure as defined under s. NR 17.001 (5s).

NR 16.30 Note Note: Pen specifications, and requirements for humane handling, care and treatment of coyote, fox and rabbit held under the authority of a hound dog training or trialing license are found in ch. NR 17.

NR 16.30(2) (2) General facility requirements.

NR 16.30(2)(a) (a) Structure; construction. Facilities for captive wild animals shall be designed and constructed so that they are structurally sound. They shall be kept in good repair, protect the captive wild animals from injury, contain the animals securely and restrict other animals from entering. Portions of buildings devoted to human occupancy may not be used as the primary enclosure or primary housing facility for captive wild animals listed in sub. (4). Possession of captive wild animals listed in sub. (4) in portions of buildings devoted to human occupancy shall be limited to temporary health care, treatment or special handling needs except that wolf-dog hybrids kept as pets may share indoor housing which is intended for human occupancy.

NR 16.30(2)(b) (b) Housing site. Facilities and areas used for storing animal food or bedding shall be free of any accumulation of trash, waste material, refuse, weeds and other discarded materials.

NR 16.30(2)(c) (c) Surfaces.

NR 16.30(2)(c)1. 1. The surfaces of facilities including houses, dens and other fixtures and objects within the primary enclosure shall be constructed in a manner and made of materials that allow them to be readily cleaned and sanitized, or removed or replaced when worn or soiled. Interior surfaces and any surfaces that come in contact with captive wild animals shall be all of the following:

NR 16.30(2)(c)1.a. a. Free of excessive rust that prevents cleaning and sanitation, or that affects the structural strength of the surface.

NR 16.30(2)(c)1.b. b. Free of jagged edges or sharp points that might injure the animals.

NR 16.30(2)(c)2. 2. All surfaces shall be maintained and cleaned. Surfaces of facilities, including houses, dens and other fixtures and objects within the facility that may not be readily cleaned and sanitized, shall be replaced when worn or soiled.

NR 16.30(2)(c)3. 3. Raised floors shall be constructed in a manner that protects the captive wild animals’ feet and legs from injury, and that do not allow the animals’ feet to pass through any openings in the floor. If the floor of the enclosure is constructed of wire, a solid resting surface or surfaces that are large enough to hold all the occupants of the enclosure at the same time comfortably shall be provided.

NR 16.30(2)(d) (d) Drainage and waste disposal. Facility owners shall provide for regular and frequent collection, removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, debris, garbage, water, other fluids and wastes and dead animals, in a manner that minimizes contamination and disease risks. Standing puddles of water in captive wild animal enclosures shall be drained or mopped up after cleaning or periods of rainfall so that the animals stay dry. Trash containers in facilities and in food storage and food preparation areas shall be leakproof and shall have tightly fitted lids on them unless the caretaker is present.

NR 16.30(2)(e) (e) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in a manner that protects the supplies from spoilage, contamination and vermin infestation. The supplies shall be stored in a manner that allows cleaning underneath and around the supplies. Foods requiring refrigeration shall be stored accordingly, and all food shall be stored in a manner that prevents contamination and deterioration of its nutritive value. All open supplies of food shall be kept in leakproof containers with tightly fitting lids to prevent contamination and spoilage.

NR 16.30(2)(f) (f) Pest control. An effective program for the control of insects, external parasites and birds and mammals that are pests, shall be established and maintained to promote the health of the captive wild animals and reduce contamination.

NR 16.30(3) (3) General pen and shelter requirements.

NR 16.30(3)(a) (a) Pen specifications.

NR 16.30(3)(a)1. 1. Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each captive wild animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress or abnormal behavior patterns.

NR 16.30(3)(a)2. 2. All captive wild animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be compatible. Captive wild animals with a vicious or aggressive disposition shall be housed separately.

NR 16.30(3)(b) (b) Shelter from the elements. Outdoor facilities for captive wild animals shall include one or more shelter structures that are accessible to each animal in each outdoor facility, and that are large enough to allow each animal in the shelter structure to sit, stand and lie in a normal manner and to turn about freely. Metal barrels, cars, refrigerators, freezers and similar objects may not be used as shelter structures. In addition to the shelter structures, one or more separate outside areas of shade shall be provided, large enough to contain all the captive wild animals at one time and protect them from the sun. Shelters in outdoor facilities for captive wild animals shall contain a roof, 4 sides and a floor and shall:

NR 16.30(3)(b)1. 1. Provide the captive wild animals with adequate protection and shelter from the cold and heat.

NR 16.30(3)(b)2. 2. Provide the captive wild animals with protection from the sun, wind, rain or snow.

NR 16.30(3)(b)3. 3. Be provided with a wind break and rain break at the entrance.

NR 16.30(3)(b)4. 4. Contain clean, dry bedding material if the ambient temperature is below 50°F (10°C). Additional clean, dry bedding is required when the temperature is 35°F (1.7°C) or lower.

NR 16.30(3)(b)5. 5. The sheltered part of a facility shall be sufficiently ventilated when captive wild animals are present to provide for their health and well being, and to minimize odors, drafts, ammonia levels and moisture condensation. Ventilation shall be provided by windows, doors, vents, fans or air conditioning.

NR 16.30(3)(c) (c) Outdoor sheltering for captive wild birds. Shelters for captive wild birds in outdoor facilities may consist of natural vegetation which provides protection from the effects of sun, wind, rain or snow.