Wildlife in Captivity

It is illegal to keep scheduled native wildlife as pets. Scheduled wildlife includes furbearing mammals such as Raccoons, game animals such as White-tailed Deer and Moose, and birds such as Wild Turkeys.

Wild animals are best adapted to their natural environment.  However, there are certain circumstances in which live animals may be taken from the wild and/or kept in captivity.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 sets out which scheduled wildlife species may or may not be kept in captivity and under what conditions this may occur. ("Scheduled wildlife species" are those species named on the lists in Part X of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.) It also outlines rules for the protection of wild populations and public health.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has responsibility for promoting and enforcing these rules.

Wildlife as Pets

It is illegal to keep scheduled native wildlife as pets. Scheduled wildlife includes furbearing mammals such as Raccoons, game animals such as White-tailed Deer and Moose, and birds such as Wild Turkeys.

Some types of scheduled wildlife may be kept in captivity for personal education. To obtain scheduled wildlife for personal educational purposes, you must be authorized by the MNR to buy the animal. You may not take scheduled wildlife from the wild for the purpose of keeping it for personal education. 

Activities Requiring MNR Approval

You must have approval from your local MNR office for the following activities: 

 

• Collecting scheduled wildlife species from the wild (this activity will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances)
• Keeping scheduled wildlife in captivity
• Breeding scheduled wildlife species
• Importing and exporting some species of scheduled wildlife into or from Ontario
• Buying and selling scheduled wildlife
• Releasing scheduled and non-scheduled wildlife into the wild.

You need approval for these activities regardless of the origin of the wildlife.  If you want to import scheduled wildlife legally obtained outside of Ontario, you need approval from MNR to possess it in Ontario before its arrival.

Keeping Scheduled Wildlife in Captivity

 

There are certain situations in which scheduled wildlife may be kept in captivity. Scheduled wildlife may be kept in captivity by:

 

• A facility with an authorization to keep wildlife for scientific or educational purposes
• Farms that keep animals classified as "farmed" animals for breeding and  sale, e.g., Mink and some other furbearers, White-tailed Deer, American Bison or American Elk
• Game bird hunting farms that raise Ring-necked Pheasants, Northern Bobwhite Quail or Wild Turkeys for sale or hunting. 
• A licensed zoo that keeps scheduled wildlife for educational and public display purposes
• A licensed falconer, who may keep the number of falconry birds specified on the licence
• A licensed herpetologist, who may keep the amphibian and reptile species indicated on the licence 
• An authorized wildlife custodian (a person who provides care or rehabilitation for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife that may be released back to the wild).
• Dog train and trial areas that have been in operation since before the FWCA was created.

 

Most scheduled wildlife kept in captivity have been born and raised in captivity over many generations.

Science and Research

Researchers may apply to the MNR for approvals to capture or keep scheduled wildlife for scientific research.  These approvals include animal care protocols that outline care and handling of the animals. 

Research may involve capture, tagging or collaring, keeping or humanely killing scheduled wildlife for scientific purposes.

Game Farms, Fur Farms and Game Bird Hunting Preserves

Some species are designated as "farmed animals" under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. These include some furbearing mammals, White-tailed Deer, American Bison and American Elk.  These are animals raised primarily for commercial production of meat, hides, pelts, antler products and other goods.
 

These "farmed animals" may be kept in captivity for breeding and sale, without a license.  Most "farmed animals" have been raised in captivity for many generations. 

It is illegal to take live game birds, such as this Wild Turkey, from the wild to raise them in captivity.

You must have approval from MNR to own, operate and release game birds in a game bird hunting preserve.  Game birds that can be kept in these facilities are Northern Bobwhite Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant and Wild Turkey.

It is illegal to take live game birds from the wild to raise them in captivity.

Game or fur farms and game bird hunting preserves may breed, buy, and sell their animals to a person who may lawfully buy them.

Zoos

Zoos that are licensed by MNR may keep scheduled wildlife on display for educational purposes.  Viewing and learning about wildlife helps foster an understanding and appreciation for wild animals. 

Falconry

 

Falconry involves the use of trained birds of prey (raptors) for hunting. Raptors are used in activities that range from recreational hunting to controlling nuisance birds at airports.

Amphibians and Reptiles

The holder of a licence may keep, buy, sell and breed species of scheduled amphibians and reptiles permitted under their licence. These animals can only be sold to a person who may lawfully buy or possess them.

Wildlife Rehabilitation

Authorized wildlife custodians provide temporary care to sick, injured or orphaned scheduled wildlife.  The goal is to rehabilitate wild animals and return them to the wild as quickly as possible.

Custodians are responsible for assessing the condition of wildlife and determining if they can be successfully released back into the wild.  Any wildlife that would not survive in the wild may be transferred to another facility for education or research (with permission of MNR).  Un-releasable wildlife may also be humanely euthanized.

A person can only possess wildlife for a maximum of 24 hours to transfer it to a wildlife custodian or to transfer it to a veterinarian for treatment. 

To determine if an animal requires the care of a wildlife custodian, consult this factsheet.

Train and Trial Facilities

These areas allow owners of hunting hounds to train their dogs to only pursue certain types of wildlife. These facilities may only possess foxes, Coyotes, rabbits and/or hares. No hunting is permitted in these areas. Only train and trial areas that existed when the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act was created may operate with a licence in Ontario.

 

Release and Escape of Wildlife

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act prohibits the intentional release of captive animals into the wild.  This is to protect public safety, the environment, and the welfare of both captive and wild animals by reducing the risk of the spread of disease and by helping protect the strong genetics of wild animals.

People that keep wildlife in captivity (e.g., zoos, game farms) must provide safe and secure areas to keep the animals enclosed.  If an accidental escape does occur, the owner is responsible for reporting the event to the ministry, and may recapture or kill the animals.

Facilities must have approval from the Minister of Natural Resources to keep or breed scheduled wildlife listed as game wildlife or specially protected wildlife (under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act) or a species with a status of endangered, threatened, or special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act or the provincial Species at Risk in Ontario List (see Related Links, below).

Facilities that wish to keep Migratory Game Birds in captivity must obtain authorization from the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment Canada).

 

Regulations and licence conditions help MNR to make sure that scheduled wildlife kept for public viewing, conservation, educational or scientific purposes are cared for and housed in an appropriate manner.  Please contact your local MNR office for more information on falconry regulations.