Section NR 19.72 - General wildlife rehabilitation provisions(1) The title to all wildlife and their offspring held under a wildlife rehabilitation license remains under the jurisdiction of the department as described in s. 169.02, Stats., and may not be sold, traded or bartered without the consent of the department.(2) The department may restrict wildlife rehabilitation of specific wildlife species, either statewide or in certain geographic areas to control the spread of disease, to protect public health or to prevent harmful environmental impacts. Note: Deer rehabilitation information can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/ or will be available upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921. The rehabilitation of skunks is prohibited under s. NR 1.18(3) (c). The possession and rehabilitation of species which are listed as threatened or endangered as established in s. NR 27.03 requires authorization from the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. Pursuant to ss. 169.085 and 169.11(1) (b), Stats., the department does not allow rehabilitation of wolves or wolf-dog hybrids.
(3) The department may restrict wildlife species authorized for rehabilitation based on the facilities and qualifications of the applicant or licensee.(4) A wildlife rehabilitation license does not authorize the capture, receipt, possession, transportation or transfer of wildlife for any purpose other than wildlife rehabilitation. Note: Birds held under falconry licensing are private property, do not meet the definition of "wild animal" per s. 169.01(30m), Stats., and thus care and treatment is not authorized per wildlife rehabilitation licensing authority.
(5) This license does not exempt the licensee from local ordinances that apply to activities authorized by this license.(6) This license does not authorize the practice of veterinary medicine as defined in s. 89.02(6), Stats.(7) The licensee shall display his or her license to department agents or other law enforcement agents upon request.(8) Any costs incurred by the licensee for wildlife rehabilitation activities shall be the responsibility of the licensee.(9) Unless specifically authorized by the department for educational purposes, no person may place wildlife being rehabilitated on public exhibit, in ways that may lead to inappropriate imprinting, socialization, habituation or stress.(10) Wildlife being rehabilitated may not be transported outside Wisconsin for release or any other purpose unless the licensee has verbal, or written, permission from the department and possesses a wildlife rehabilitation license pursuant to this subchapter.(11) No person may import or accept wildlife for rehabilitation from outside Wisconsin unless he or she has verbal, or written, permission from the department and possesses a wildlife rehabilitation license pursuant to this subchapter.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 19.72
CR 03-029: cr. Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04.Amended by, correction in (6) under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7Register December 2015 No. 720, eff.1/1/2016. Amended by, correction in (6) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7, Stats., Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8/1/2018