How to start your own zoo?
- Thread starter nanoboy
- Start date
The laws for keeping natives vary from State to State - in NSW you can keep just about any reptile or amphibian if you have the appropriate license, but the only mammals you can keep are Plains Rat and Dingo. Victorians have been keeping reptiles for much longer than NSW, but I believe they have more restrictions.
In South Australia it appears you can keep just about anything.
Hix
In South Australia it appears you can keep just about anything.
Hix
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Hix, I should have specified Victoria, but to be fair it did not cross my mind that the laws for keeping wildlife would vary from state to state. Then again, all the other laws seem to vary....
CGSwans, cheers for the link. There seems to be more than enough animals that I can keep with a private license. All the cockatoos are there (but why on earth is there never a mention of the Palm Cockatoo?? Why can I buy one in America, but not here? Can I ship one in from America then, given that it is technically a 'native'?) and sufficient furry mammals.
The list seems to mostly be natives though. For example, I did not see any reference to keeping macaws. Is there another list for exotics that can be kept?
CGSwans, cheers for the link. There seems to be more than enough animals that I can keep with a private license. All the cockatoos are there (but why on earth is there never a mention of the Palm Cockatoo?? Why can I buy one in America, but not here? Can I ship one in from America then, given that it is technically a 'native'?) and sufficient furry mammals.
The list seems to mostly be natives though. For example, I did not see any reference to keeping macaws. Is there another list for exotics that can be kept?
I will try to answer nanoboy and tetropod together. This answer is based on the situation in Victoria, the situation in other states will vary. Also because I am not involved much with private breeders, my understanding of their situation may be a little out.
Firstly to the question of collections open to the public. There are two licences, a wildlife park licence and a zoo licence. Wildlife park licences are restricted to native animals, while zoo licences can also keep exotics. Basicly there is no difference beween the two, I imagine zoo licence holders are subject to greater scrutiny because of the threat of escape of dangerous and pest species. There are basic husbandry requirements plus minimum cage size. However as long as these are met public collections can keep any animal they can legally obtain.
Private collections are largely restricted to native animals. The different species are classified according the their conservation status and availability from private sources. There are four levels - no licence needed, level 1 and leve 2 licences and lastly not on the schedule, so cannot be held. As far as mammals go, the on licence species include some kangaroos and wallabies, sugar gliders, some possums, dingoes, but not wombats and quolls.
There is no licence required for exotics however the only exotics that can be kept are fish, a number of bird species and 6 species of deer, blackbuck, American bison, water buffalo, and camels. Some people keep some other exotics under "sunset" clauses, ie monkeys, on the condition that they cannot transfer to another private owner or breed their animals.
Hope that helps
Firstly to the question of collections open to the public. There are two licences, a wildlife park licence and a zoo licence. Wildlife park licences are restricted to native animals, while zoo licences can also keep exotics. Basicly there is no difference beween the two, I imagine zoo licence holders are subject to greater scrutiny because of the threat of escape of dangerous and pest species. There are basic husbandry requirements plus minimum cage size. However as long as these are met public collections can keep any animal they can legally obtain.
Private collections are largely restricted to native animals. The different species are classified according the their conservation status and availability from private sources. There are four levels - no licence needed, level 1 and leve 2 licences and lastly not on the schedule, so cannot be held. As far as mammals go, the on licence species include some kangaroos and wallabies, sugar gliders, some possums, dingoes, but not wombats and quolls.
There is no licence required for exotics however the only exotics that can be kept are fish, a number of bird species and 6 species of deer, blackbuck, American bison, water buffalo, and camels. Some people keep some other exotics under "sunset" clauses, ie monkeys, on the condition that they cannot transfer to another private owner or breed their animals.
Hope that helps
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Cheers MRJ.
For some obscure reason, you do not need a licence to keep many species of deer. But surely there must be some sort of other permission I need, from the council say, if I wanted to keep a pet deer in my backyard?
I am trying to ascertain the difference between having the theoretical permission from the authorities for Nanoboy to hypothetically keep wildlife, compared to the permission I need from another set of authorities to keep said wildlife on my property. Maybe although I do not need a license to keep a macaw, the 'council' might object to a raucous bird being kept in a residential area?
For some obscure reason, you do not need a licence to keep many species of deer. But surely there must be some sort of other permission I need, from the council say, if I wanted to keep a pet deer in my backyard?
I am trying to ascertain the difference between having the theoretical permission from the authorities for Nanoboy to hypothetically keep wildlife, compared to the permission I need from another set of authorities to keep said wildlife on my property. Maybe although I do not need a license to keep a macaw, the 'council' might object to a raucous bird being kept in a residential area?
Most councils have regulations based on what animals, and how many, can be kept in residential areas. These are all local by-laws so vary from council to council. That's someone you will have to research yourself, but should be as simple as a phone call.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Cheers CGSwans.
Sounds like I will have to earmark a property first and then consult the local council as the laws vary from council to council.
So as it stands, I can keep a fair bit of wildlife for personal enjoyment, but I will need a sufficiently large property in a council that will allow me to keep said animals.
There is a fairly large lottery on Thursday, so when I win, I will get cracking on this project the following morning.
I would say you could keep pretty well anything as a "pet" so long as it doesn't cause a nuisance to others (smell, noise etc). However I didn't think we were talking about pets.
Deer are regarded as pretty much either game or farm animals, with no conservation concerns. I think there are regulations for fence heights, that sort of thing, but that isn't my area.
Regarding Palm Cockatoos you will notice there are whole families of birds not listed in the regulations. Simply because none exist in private hands today and because they are not known to breed well in captivity. The authorities believe that putting them on licence is just a temptation to poach wild birds.
If by chance you find there are a number of breeders of Palm Cockatoos producing chicks on a regular basis elsewhere in Australia you could apply for them to go onto licence. A number of species have been added over the years, but of course it is not an easy process.
Another way is to convince authorities that you are an expert on these cockatoos, and that you have a research project that needs you to hold a captive population of the bird. Private people have and can gain permits to take and hold otherwise protected species in Victoria if they can convince authorities they have a worthwhile project.
I have Fallow Deer and no license is required.
They make great pets as they hardly make a sound, eat grass and are friendly if hand raised. You will need a 5 food fence to keep them in though. Bucks though are only good pets until the rut, when they will kill you and anyone else they can, so should not be hand raised ever.
you also have to consider Federal wildlife regulations in relation to
(i) bringing in native or non-native birds, or any other animal, from overseas, where Federal regulations are primarily aimed at quarantine matters and protecting threatened species;
Amending the list of specimens suitable for live import (the live import list) - Wildlife trade and conservation
and
(ii) sourcing legal exotics within Australia
What is legal possession of exotic birds? - Keeping exotic birds in Australia
(i) bringing in native or non-native birds, or any other animal, from overseas, where Federal regulations are primarily aimed at quarantine matters and protecting threatened species;
Amending the list of specimens suitable for live import (the live import list) - Wildlife trade and conservation
and
(ii) sourcing legal exotics within Australia
What is legal possession of exotic birds? - Keeping exotic birds in Australia
Firstly, had to join this thread very interesting and informative.
Secondly, from the "List of Specimens taken to be Suitable for Live Import" pdf.
I am wondering what exactly is meant by "Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets."
The term commercial could mean allot of things or is it simply referring to breeding animals for profit?
Secondly, from the "List of Specimens taken to be Suitable for Live Import" pdf.
I am wondering what exactly is meant by "Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets."
The term commercial could mean allot of things or is it simply referring to breeding animals for profit?
The keeping of Deer, of any species, as pets or paddock cleaners or whatever is under review in Queensland
The vertebrate pest people want them banned in this State.
"Commercial", in this context, means using the imported animals solely to make money.
Zoos are deemed to import animals for conservation, education and/or research purposes. These are not regarded as "commercial".
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the information.
MRJ:
I used the term 'pet' loosely, and incorrectly. What I really meant was for private purposes, whether as a pet or for food or just to admire. Regarding the Palm Cockatoos, I suppose that I would need to contact the Parrot Society to get some more information about this particular species in aviculture in Australia, and that should shed some light on the feasibility of making a case.
Monty:
A deer as a pet! Who would have thought! I just used the example for hypothetical illustrative purposes, but lo and behold someone actually keeps them as pets!
Jet:
Cheers for the links. Interesting reading.
Zooman and Steve:
Yeah I too had no idea what "Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets." meant. Cheers for clearing that up.
To the zoo owners here, apologies if the question is too personal, but you can choose to just not answer I guess: I have the mindset of opening a zoo if I win the lotto, but did you guys start your zoos after winning the lotto? Or maybe you used your life savings, or you inherited it (the zoo/money) from your family? Or maybe you started off small and kept growing your collection gradually?
What's your story?
Thanks for all the information.
MRJ:
I used the term 'pet' loosely, and incorrectly. What I really meant was for private purposes, whether as a pet or for food or just to admire. Regarding the Palm Cockatoos, I suppose that I would need to contact the Parrot Society to get some more information about this particular species in aviculture in Australia, and that should shed some light on the feasibility of making a case.
Monty:
A deer as a pet! Who would have thought! I just used the example for hypothetical illustrative purposes, but lo and behold someone actually keeps them as pets!
Jet:
Cheers for the links. Interesting reading.
Zooman and Steve:
Yeah I too had no idea what "Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets." meant. Cheers for clearing that up.
To the zoo owners here, apologies if the question is too personal, but you can choose to just not answer I guess: I have the mindset of opening a zoo if I win the lotto, but did you guys start your zoos after winning the lotto? Or maybe you used your life savings, or you inherited it (the zoo/money) from your family? Or maybe you started off small and kept growing your collection gradually?
What's your story?
Electus Parrot
Well-Known Member
Nanoboy, I feel it is unlikely that palm cockatoos will become on the list, and the likelihood of anyone obtaining one, even for a zoo, is slim to none. Before Adelaide's pair had a chick this year, there had been no captive births of this species in Australia since the 70's.
Hi Guys,
Monty:
A deer as a pet! Who would have thought! I just used the example for hypothetical illustrative purposes, but lo and behold someone actually keeps them as pets!
We got a pet deer about 15 years ago, then fenced a large area and got a couple thousand more and ran them commercially. In the last 15 years we have had 4 pets, but the last one died just before christmas. Here is a photo which is about 4 years old by the age of our kids.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
Cheers for all the replies guys.
Love the pic of the deer. Keeping Bambi as a pet, and slaughtering his brothers and sisters around the corner seems, well.....
I have been doing some reading about the Palm Cockatoo, and it seems that breeders are very interested in breeding them to boost numbers in the wild, and they might take their case to the government. We will see.....
I had to google where Iron Range National Park was, but when I did some reading on the Park's official website, they said that Palm Cockatoos come and feed on the ground at the campsites! How cool is that? Oh, never mind that it is 800km north of Cairns up a dirt track and you will need a wheel drive vehicle.
I am trying to convince my wife to make the trip, wish me luck.
Oh, and by the way, I won $12.60 in the lotto last night, which I doubt might buy me a pet mouse, but it's a start!!
Love the pic of the deer. Keeping Bambi as a pet, and slaughtering his brothers and sisters around the corner seems, well.....
I have been doing some reading about the Palm Cockatoo, and it seems that breeders are very interested in breeding them to boost numbers in the wild, and they might take their case to the government. We will see.....
I had to google where Iron Range National Park was, but when I did some reading on the Park's official website, they said that Palm Cockatoos come and feed on the ground at the campsites! How cool is that? Oh, never mind that it is 800km north of Cairns up a dirt track and you will need a wheel drive vehicle.
I am trying to convince my wife to make the trip, wish me luck.
Oh, and by the way, I won $12.60 in the lotto last night, which I doubt might buy me a pet mouse, but it's a start!!
That's farm life for you.
I suspect it has more to do with convincing the government to let them catch some and establish them in captivity than anything else. As far as the IUCN is concerned, palm cockatoos are classified as "least concern". There is not the slightest need for an ex-situ breeding program, and if that were ever to occur it'd be in zoos not private aviculture. In short, don't get your hopes up.
nanoboy
Well-Known Member
CGSwans,
Yeah I hear you on the farm life. I had a pet goat when I was a kid (no pun intended), and my brother had a pet duck. They both ended up on the dinner table.
Good point about the Palm Cockatoo, but I was thinking more along the lines of being able to import them from breeders overseas rather than catch a few in the wild. A quick internet search shows that there are loads of breeders in America, especially in Florida. Of course, be prepared to fork out a cool $10k. So if they are classed as 'least concern', and they are a native specie, then surely there shouldn't be a problem to import one in? That's my logic anyway....
Yeah I hear you on the farm life. I had a pet goat when I was a kid (no pun intended), and my brother had a pet duck. They both ended up on the dinner table.
Good point about the Palm Cockatoo, but I was thinking more along the lines of being able to import them from breeders overseas rather than catch a few in the wild. A quick internet search shows that there are loads of breeders in America, especially in Florida. Of course, be prepared to fork out a cool $10k. So if they are classed as 'least concern', and they are a native specie, then surely there shouldn't be a problem to import one in? That's my logic anyway....