Captive Wildlife in Arkansas
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is charged with the management of all wildlife in the state including all wild birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and other wild aquatic forms and all other wild animals, regardless of classification, whether resident, migratory or imported including any individual species of wildlife, including animals living in a captive state and which lack a genetic distinction from members of the same species living in the wild.
Based on this authority, the Commission has developed rules and regulations governing private ownership and use of wild animals in Arkansas. Information on this page primarily pertains to captive birds, mammals, and terrestrial reptiles. Please refer to the complete Arkansas Game and Fish Commission code of regulations. Please be aware that the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, Arkansas Department of Health, the federal government as well as your local city or county government may have regulations affecting ownership or use of certain wildlife.