Illinois prohibits private possession of dangerous animals including big cats, bears, wolves, and primates under the Dangerous Animals Act, with limited exempt categories.
The Illinois Dangerous Animals Act (720 ILCS 585) makes it unlawful for any person to have a right of possession to a dangerous animal, including lions, tigers, leopards, ocelots, jaguars, cheetahs, margays, mountain lions, lynxes, bobcats, jaguarundi, bears, hyenas, wolves, and coyotes. The Herptiles-Herps Act (510 ILCS 68) similarly restricts venomous reptiles and large constrictors. The Illinois Conservation Code (520 ILCS 5) regulates native wildlife possession. Exemptions exist for licensed zoos, circuses, federally licensed exhibitors, research facilities, and licensed veterinarians. These prohibitions apply uniformly statewide.
Class C misdemeanor; subsequent offenses Class B; animal seizure and forfeiture.
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