Section 250-RICR-60-00-2.10 - Regulations on the Importation, Possession and Transportation of Live CervidsA. No person shall import, transport or possess in the State of Rhode Island any live captive or wild cervid, except under a permit issued by the Director or his/her designee in compliance with all parts of §§ 2.10(B) and (C) of this Part.B. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall be issued by an accredited veterinarian of the State of origin or a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture, countersigned by the veterinarian from the State of origin, attesting to the subject cervids:1. Are free from visible evidence of any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease or exposure thereto.2. Are officially permanently identified by means of a device that is compliant with all State and Federally required unique and permanent methods of identification. Forms of identification include but are not limited to USDA approved visual or radiofrequency ear tags.3. The certificated need to confirm that the subject cervids have tested negative for bovine tuberculosis, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, brucellosis, anaplasmosis, bluetongue, or other diseases as may be required by the Rhode Island DEM's Division of Agriculture.4. Does not originate from a CWD endemic area or has not resided in a CWD endemic area for any duration of time.C. General Exemptions that shall also be in compliance with § 2.10(C): 1. AZA-Accredited and USDA Licensed Facilities. Nothing in this Part shall prohibit zoos, aquariums, research facilities, or other animal care facilities that meet the exemption criteria for such facilities listed in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 4-18-3, and 4-18-6 from importing or possessing cervids without a permit.2. Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators. Nothing in this Part shall prohibit a person possessing a valid license as a Wildlife Rehabilitator issued by the Department from possession of cervids without a permit while in the execution of their duties and in compliance with Rules and Regulations Governing Wildlife Rehabilitation.3. Authorized Agents of the Department in their Official Duties. Nothing in this Part shall prohibit an agent of the Department's Division of Agriculture, Division of Fish and Wildlife, or Division of Law Enforcement from possession of cervids without a permit while in the execution of his/her official duties.4. Agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Nothing in this Part shall prohibit an agent of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from possession of cervids without a permit while in the execution of their law enforcement powers pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 4-1.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-60-00-2.10
Amended effective 7/11/2021