Idaho prohibits private possession of designated deleterious exotic animals such as big cats, primates, and Russian wild boar without a state permit, applying uniformly across all cities and counties.
Idaho Code Title 25, Chapter 39 makes it unlawful to import or possess any deleterious exotic animal without a permit issued by the Administrator of the Division of Animal Industries. Idaho Code Section 25-3904 directs the Department of Agriculture to designate species deemed dangerous to people, livestock, agriculture, or wildlife. IDAPA 02.04.27 lists restricted species including non-human primates, leopards, lions, non-pinioned mute swans, and Russian wild boar. Permits are limited to qualifying purposes such as zoological exhibition or research. The Department may order non-permitted animals removed, relocated, or destroyed, and the framework applies statewide.
Each violation is a misdemeanor with fines from $100 to $5,000 per offense under Idaho Code Section 25-3905, plus seizure and disposition of the animal.
See how Post Falls's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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