This site will be continually under construction and changing as the states, counties and municipals continually change their regulations and laws. These are the current regulations for 1996 that we have received to date. If you have other information, please let us know the citations of those laws or regulations, the state and when the changes went or will go into effect by sending e-mail to lawschange@monkeymaddness.com.
Wild means, in reference to mammals and birds, those species which are normally found in a state of nature (i.e. not necessarily in Arizona). ARS 17.101.20
No person shall import or transport into the state or sell, trade or
release within the state of have in his possession any live wildlife, except
as authorized by the (Arizona Game and Fish) Commission. ARS 17.306
The following listed wildlife are "prohibited wildlife" {Order Carnivora: Families Canidae and Felidae: all genera (are prohibited) and they may not be imported, exported, possessed, transported, propagated, purchased, bartered, sold, leased or offered for sale except as authorized by this rule. Rule 12-4-319(R)(1)
Thus importation, possession, propagation and sale, etc. of wild carnivores, whether exotic or native, is prohibited in Arizona without a State permit and applicable Federal authorizations to conduct such activities. The only species recognized by this Department (Arizona Game & Fish Commission )(AGFC) as being domestic in the canid and felid families are: Canis familiaris, the dog, and Felis catus, the house cat. AGFC does not consider a "tamed" individual of a wild species to be a "domestic" animal, and thus out of our jurisdiction. For example, a tamed or captive-bred mountain lion remains wildlife and under out jurisdiction.
HYBRIDS The meaning of existing rules with regard to hybrids is subject to policy (and judicial) interpretation. By unwritten policy, AGFC does not consider most interspecific hybrids wildlife. They are not under AGFC jurisdiction, but may be under that of agencies such as county rabies-animal control departments. In contrast, based on the biological definition of"species," progeny from intraspecific cross-breedings (i.e. between conspecific races or subspecies) are not true hybrids and are under AGFC jurisdiction. Attachment re: hybrids -N- August 10, 1988 Arizona Game Fish Commission.
There are currently NO laws against monkeys in Arizona. I checked into it and was directed to Dr. Leslie, the State Public Health Vet at (602) 230-5917. She was very nice and very informative. Maricopa County Animal Control said all the laws re monkeys are governed by the state, not the counties. Dr. Leslie said she is mostly concerned about monkey bites because of the B-virus especially in macaques (not because of rabies). However, there has only been 40 cases of B-virus from money bites with the last known case back in 1994 or 1995 (she wasn't sure of the year). As the State Public Health Vet, she usually only hears bad monkey stories and was genuinely interested in hearing about our Sheba.