THE state’s Department for Environment and Water will add 40 new native animals to its list of species not requiring permits in a bid to encourage more South Australians to take on native pets.
The announcement comes as the department prepares to roll-out its new wildlife permit scheme at the start of July as part of revised regulations.
The revision – aimed to better connect people with the state’s native wildlife – will provide a clearer online process for permit applications.
Wildlife permits will increase from 12 to 27 in a bid to provide clearer expectations surrounding keeping, selling or destroying native animals.
The addition of 40 native animals exempt from requiring a wildlife permit will bring the total number to 97.
Department spokesperson Jason Higham said the new regulations underline the new “customer-focused” wildlife permit website.
“It will provide customers clearer information to help them apply for the right permit and clearly detail the rules that apply under that permit,” Mr Higham said.
Residents who keep kangaroos will now require a specialist permit due to the potential dangers posed by adult male kangaroos as well as their space and husbandry requirements.
“Increasing the number of natives that do not require a permit is a deliberate move to encourage appropriate native animals as pets in South Australia,” Mr Higham said.
“The animals that are exempt from needing a permit, have strong populations, are not of conservative concern and are easy enough to look after.”
The state’s current wildlife regulations sit under the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1972 to ensure captive native animals are legally sourced.
