Captive wild animals

Legislation of the Republic of Belarus allows for the keeping of wild animals (including protected species) in domestic conditions, provided that the norms of environmental legislation are observed.

First of all, it is necessary to know which species of wild animals are prohibited for keeping and breeding in captivity in apartments of multi-apartment and block residential buildings, single-family residential buildings and their adjacent territories, in horticultural associations, and dacha cooperatives. This list is established in Appendix 1 to the Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus dated June 27, 2022, No. 34. The list was compiled by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Minprirody) taking into account the proposals of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. When preparing the list, the potential danger of wild animal species to humans and the possibility of creating the necessary conditions for their keeping were taken into account.

In accordance with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of January 30, 2008, No. 126, the legality of keeping wild animals belonging to species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, or those that are CITES specimens, or species permanently inhabiting the territory of the Republic of Belarus (aboriginal species), is carried out on the basis of a registration certificate issued by Minprirody. The registration of wild animals belonging to species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, or those that are CITES specimens, is carried out by Minprirody. The registration of aboriginal species is carried out by regional committees for natural resources and environmental protection.

An individual who owns a wild animal, to obtain a wild animal registration certificate, must submit:

an application;

photographs of the wild animals to be registered;

documents confirming the legality of acquisition.

In accordance with Part 2 of Article 43 of the Law, owners of wild animals are obliged to apply for registration within one month from the date of capture or acquisition of these animals.

Registration of animals with the issuance of a corresponding certificate is carried out after an inspection of the conditions for compliance with maintenance requirements. Requirements for the keeping and breeding of wild animals in captivity are established by the Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources dated February 27, 2007 No. 16 "On establishing requirements for the keeping and/or breeding of wild animals in captivity, as well as other requirements for the protection of wildlife objects." This resolution defines the minimum standards for the area, volume, and height of premises in which wild animals are kept, and also states that the premises must be equipped with equipment, structures, and devices that ensure the vital activity of wild animals in captivity and take into account the individual characteristics of the species (feeders, automatic drinkers, heaters, water purification and aeration systems, drainage systems for removing excess water from the premises, non-drying water sources, burrows, nests, ponds, pools, grottos, suspended shelters, branches, snags, etc.), as well as contain soil (sand, clay, stones of various sizes, etc.) or a substrate of various densities (peat, moss, wood shavings, etc.).

Administrative liability is provided for violation of the legislation on the protection and use of wildlife. Thus, violation of the requirements for keeping and breeding wild animals in captivity, their transportation entails a fine of up to twenty basic units in accordance with Part 2 of Art. 16.23 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses, and illegal export from the Republic of Belarus or import into it of wild animals, wild plants, the trade of which is regulated by international treaties of the Republic of Belarus, as well as species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, entail a fine of twenty to thirty basic units with confiscation of the object of the administrative offense (Art. 16.24 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses).