2106 - BIRDS AND MAMMALS - POSSESSION AND DISPOSITION OF LIVE WILD BIRDS AND MAMMALS
Issued January 1, 1977

BIRDS AND MAMMALS - POSSESSION AND DISPOSITION OF LIVE WILD BIRDS AND MAMMALS

WILDLIFE

The Department occasionally comes into possession, through confiscation, trapping or other means, of protected live wild birds and mammals.  Proper disposition must be made in the light of the welfare of the bird or animal, legal provisions, and the public interest.

Disposition of protected wild birds and mammals coming into Department possession shall be accomplished with the welfare of the species uppermost in mind, as well as appropriate legal provisions and the public interest.  They shall not be given to private citizens, however, temporary permits for possession of juvenile or incapacitated wildlife may be issued, good only until the bird or mammal can fend for itself.  Disposition may be made to Department facilities or it may be released to suitable habitat if it can fend for itself.  Respected zoos, museums, research and educational institutions may be recipients, or it may be sold to game breeders, individuals or pet shops under conditions set by the Department.  Live animals, except threatened or endangered species, which cannot be rehabilitated and released shall be dispatched in a humane manner, provided the incapacitated specimens are not needed by the Department or public zoos, museums, research and educational institutions.  Badly deformed specimens shall not be permitted to be placed on public display.  All diseased specimens, dead or alive, shall be referred to the Pathology Laboratory, Rose Lake Wildlife Research Center, East Lansing for a determination of disposition.

If such a wild bird or mammal (or parts thereof) appears on State or Federal lists of endangered and threatened species, disposition shall only be made in accordance with special Departmental instructions pertaining to each separate case.

This policy and referenced procedure replaces Department Letter No. 110.