International Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations

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GRARE provides the following as a guide to International regulations pertaining to possession, capture, transport, and rehabilitation of native and exotic species of non domestic animals.

The listings contained within these pages are links from the various international regulatory agencies web sites. In order to be certain of the most up to date information, we recommend contacting the agencies directly. Legislation is changing constantly, and even the agencies web sites may not be 100% accurate all of the time. We will attempt to check for any changes and keep these pages updated. Please check the "last updated" dates at the bottom of each page.

Any person or entity who relies on information obtained solely from this Site does so at his or her own risk. When dealing with regulatory matters, it is your responsibility to contact the proper agency and discuss the situation which concerns you. After explaining your concerns, the officers of each agency will be able to provide you with answers specific to your situation.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora:

From the CITES web site:

"CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival."

"CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species.

The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. (For additional information on the number and type of species covered by the Convention click here.)"

CITES web site home page

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, International Affairs Program:

From the USF&WS web site:

Endangered Species International Activities

"...deals primarily with foreign endangered species (including permits for their import or export, representing the Service under CITES). These species occasionally overlap. Both programs work closely with the governments of Canada and Mexico to cooperatively conserve species at risk across North America."

This USF&WS International Affairs Program covers the following:

Canada/Mexico/U.S. Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management

U.S./Canada Framework for Cooperation in the Protection and Recovery of Wild Species At Risk

North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (NACEC)
Organization funded by all three countries and employing a non-governmental staff. Implements the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, a sister agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Site is in English, Spanish, and French.

Species Information:

A list of threatened and endangered species found in other countries that are listed under the (U.S.) Endangered Species Act.

International Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora:

CITES web site home page

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, International Affairs Program:

Other Links:

Species Information:

Last Page Update 2/21/07