1. Policies Procedures
  2. University Animal Care Committee (UACC) & Institutional Policies
  3. Policy on Wildlife Permits

Policy on Wildlife Permits

University Animal Care Committee (UACC)

The University Animal Care Committee (UACC) is responsible for reviewing and approving all studies that are conducted by Principal Investigators belonging to Queen’s University, regardless of whether that project will be conducted within Queen’s jurisdiction or in the jurisdiction of another animal care committee.

According to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Guidelines on the Care and Use of Wildlife (2003), all projects involving the use of wildlife for research, teaching and/or testing should be described within an animal use protocol (AUP). AUPs must be approved by the UACC prior to commencement of the work.

Anyone proposing to conduct research on, study, capture, hold or release wildlife must be familiar with, and comply with, the relevant legislation. In most cases, licenses or permits are required to import or export wildlife or parts thereof, to capture or kill wildlife, to band or otherwise mark wildlife, and to hold in captivity or release wildlife. It is imperative that investigators consult with the appropriate provincial, territorial or regional agency when planning a project involving wildlife.  It is the investigator’s responsibility to ensure that all licenses, permits and approvals are in place before proceeding with any wildlife project. Investigators should contact the appropriate authority for the most up-to-date permit requirements, as regulations may change over time. Investigators must ensure their use of live animals is in accordance with permit terms, conditions and guidelines.

The UACC requires that all wildlife investigators submitting an AUP reference the relevant licenses or permits within the wildlife section of their protocol. In some cases, approval of a license or permit depends on the UACC approval of the AUP. In these circumstances, PIs can amend their protocols with the permit information as it becomes available or provide the UACC Coordinator with this information for administrative assistance with updating (uacc@queensu.ca).

Regulatory & Relevant Legislation in Canada

Federal

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) promotes the conservation of Canadian and international wildlife and biological diversity by managing migratory birds and nationally significant habitat, and by providing leadership on other issues, such as recovery of endangered species. The ECCC oversees the following Acts and Regulations:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada bears responsibility for marine reptiles and mammals. The Marine Mammal Regulations http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR9356/index.html are listed under the Fisheries Act https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-14/.

The Canada National Parks Act https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/N-14.01/ provides for regulations for the protection of fauna, the taking of specimens of fauna for scientific or propagation purposes, and the destruction or removal of dangerous or superabundant fauna. WAPPRIITA is the enabling legislation for CITES in Canada. WAPPRIITA also provides the authority to protect Canadian ecosystems from the introduction of listed harmful invasive species by requiring permits and makes it an offence to transport an animal or plant from one province or territory to another or export from a province or territory without the required provincial or territorial permits.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) https://cosewic.ca/index.php/en-ca/  develops and maintains a national listing of Canadian species at risk, based on the best scientific evidence available. COSEWIC consists of representatives from the wildlife departments of all 13 Canadian provincial and territorial governments; federal departments and corporations concerned with wildlife, including the Canadian Wildlife Service (which provides the secretariat), Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature; and three non-governmental conservation organizations. It is the responsibility of the respective provincial and territorial jurisdictions where the species occurs to take whatever actions are appropriate to address the threats and limiting factors placing a species at risk.

Many birds migrate across international borders, and hence their research use and consequent influence on survival may be of interest to several countries. The ECCC regulates the hunting of migratory birds and also requires that special permits be obtained for the collection, banding and/or holding of these birds. In addition, permits are required to carry out activities such as wildlife research in National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.

Permits from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are required for the movement of cervids within Canada under the Health of Animals Regulations in order to prevent the spread of brucellosis, tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease. If the presence of these diseases, rabies, anthrax or foreign animal diseases are suspected in wildlife, CFIA should be contacted. Additionally, the Public Health Agency of Canada should be contacted if wildlife diseases transmissible to humans are suspected.

Provincial/Territorial

All provinces and territories in Canada have legislation governing activities involving wildlife. Therefore, it is imperative that investigators consult with the appropriate provincial or territorial agency when planning a project involving wildlife. Licenses or permits are required for the killing, capture, holding, marking, transport, trade, and sometimes release of most wildlife. This includes wildlife held for research and teaching. Provincial regulations also exist for the types of traps permitted and for the use of firearms or other weapons in specific areas. Additionally, permits are required for the movement of wildlife, or parts thereof, across borders, and such movement may necessitate obtaining permits in more than one province or territory.

Provinces and territories may have endangered species legislation and listings and associated permit requirements. Such legislation and listings may also be applied to species for which the normal management responsibility lies with another agency (e.g., migratory birds, and marine reptiles or mammals). Most terrestrial species (mammals, amphibians and reptiles) and several species of birds (raptors, corvids and resident non-migratory species) fall solely within provincial/territorial jurisdiction.

Permits may also be needed to conduct wildlife research in provincial/territorial wildlife areas, refuges, game sanctuaries, ecological reserves, wilderness areas, parks, or other specially designated lands. Additionally, permits may also be required for active habitat manipulation or other activities on any provincial/territorial land holding.

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Québec

Saskatchewan

Yukon

Date New Version
11/19/2014 Policy Created and Approved
12/21/2017 Triennial Review; Revised to clarify that permits/licenses must be referenced in protocol(but not necessarily attached
12/16/2020 Triennial Review; Revised to clarify that licenses or permits are required to import/export, capture or kill, band or otherwise mark and hold in captivity/release wildlife; Investigators responsible for contacting appropriate authority to ensure up to date requirements; Canadian regulatory and legislative resources updated
12/13/2023 Triennial Review; Revised all Canadian regulatory and legislative resource hyperlinks; New Format

 

UACC Policy on Wildlife Permits

Download Wildlife Permits policy (PDF 137 KB)