Department of Wildlife Resources; propagation of mammalian wildlife without a permit unlawful; premature separation; hybridization. Makes it unlawful to prematurely separate any mammalian wildlife offspring from the mother prior to the natural time of weaning that is appropriate for such species, except that wildlife offspring may be prematurely separated if a medical necessity exists pursuant to a written order from a veterinarian licensed to practice in the Commonwealth with appropriate species-specific experience and expertise. The bill excludes noncommercial transfers or trades between accredited zoological facilities from the provisions. The bill also makes it unlawful to intentionally and for commercial purposes (i) propagate mammalian wildlife of different species, also known as hybridization, or (ii) keep or house mammalian wildlife of different species in conditions in which they could propagate.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29.1-417
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute : 29.1-417
Senator Boysko, Jennifer B. Substitute: 29.1-417
Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Subcommittee Substitute: 29.1-417
Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Substitute: 29.1-417
Enrolled: 29.1-417
SAGR Sub: Companion Animals Substitute: 29.1-417