ADCNR Strengthens Safeguards Against Nonnative Species

MONTGOMERY, AL — Due to ecological, economic, and human health and safety concerns related to the potential impacts of nonnative animals, an existing law in Alabama has been amended.

Alabama Administrative Code 220-2-.26 has been amended to prohibit any person, firm, association or corporation from possessing, selling, offering for sale, importing, bringing, releasing, or causing to be brought or imported additional nonnative animals into the state of Alabama. The amended regulation is effective October 15.

“Native ecosystems can be extremely vulnerable to invasive species,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “If intentionally or unintentionally released into the wild, nonnative animals can out-compete native wildlife and upset the natural balance of that ecosystem. With this amended regulation, we are taking a proactive approach to help Alabama avoid the types of ecological challenges caused by nonnative species in other parts the country.”

A ban on the following species is included in the amended regulation:

• Any species of venomous reptile that has never naturally existed in the wild in Alabama, including but not limited to venomous snakes of the families Viperidae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae, Hydrophiidae, and Colubridae, except for hognose snakes (Genus Heterodon)
• Any species of bird, mammal, reptile, or amphibian listed as injurious wildlife by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the federal Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42)
• Any species of Tegu (Genus Salvator)

Persons currently holding any of the prohibited wildlife listed above without an ADCNR permit will be given 90 days from October 15, 2020, to notify the ADCNR’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and apply for a permit, lawfully export the animals, or voluntarily surrender the animals to the appropriate WFF personnel without prosecution.