For purposes of this chapter, the terms stated hereinbelow shall have the following meaning:
(1) Bird of prey.— An individual of any bird species belonging to the orders Falconiformes or Strigiformes.
(2) Wild bird of prey.— Bird of prey captured from wildlife. It shall be regarded as such regardless of the time it has been held in captivity.
(3) Falconry.— Sport in which preys are chased and captured using a trained bird of prey.
(4) Falconer.— A person who is authorized to own, train, and hunt with birds of prey.
(5) Game reserve.— A tract of land used mainly for hunting purposes where its owner, caretaker, or administrator, through the introduction of game animals bred in captivity or by semi-natural methods or practices, including the improvement of the natural habitat, offers such game to the hunter for pay.
(6) Department.— The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, created by virtue of §§ 151 et seq. of Title 3.
(7) Falconer examination.— Examination administered by the Department as an essential requirement to practice falconry in Puerto Rico.
(8) Wild fauna.— Any resident animal species found in the wild whose natural propagation or survival does not depend on the zeal, care, or breeding of man, whether native or adapted to Puerto Rico; or any migratory species visiting Puerto Rico at any time of the year, as well as exotic species as defined in this chapter. Provided, That this definition shall include birds, reptiles, aquatic or land mammals, amphibians, and all invertebrates. This category also includes any part, product, nest, egg, and young, or the dead carcass or part thereof, as well as all rare or endangered species.
(9) Wildlife Act.— Sections 107 et seq. of this title, known as the “New Wildlife Act of Puerto Rico”.
(10) Falconry license.— A document issued by the Secretary which specifies which of the activities described in this chapter and its regulations the beneficiary is authorized to undertake and under which terms.
(11) Person.— Every natural person who is a permanent resident of Puerto Rico.
(12) Live game.— An animal used during the last stages of the bird of prey’s training to stimulate its hunting instincts.
(13) Wildlife reserve.— An area designated by the Secretary for the management and propagation of wildlife where sports hunting is not permitted, and where other compatible uses are determined through regulations. (The areas known as the Boquerón Bird Refuge and the Humacao Reserve are excluded.)
(14) Wildlife Regulations.— Regulations No. 6765 of February 11, 2004, also known as the “Regulations to Govern the Conservation and Management of Wildlife, Exotic Species, and Hunting in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,” or any other subsequent regulations that may be adopted.
(15) Secretary.— The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(16) Hunting season.— The time allotted by the Secretary during which it shall be permitted to hunt any species of wild fauna designated by the Secretary as game.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 3.