General information:

Purpose: MDWFP is tasked with ensuring the public health, safety and welfare by strictly regulating the importation, sale, transfer and possession of those wild animals inherently dangerous to humans.

Species classified as inherently dangerous to humans: The following wild animals are classed as animals inherently dangerous to humans:

  • (a) Order Primates:
    • (i) Family Pongidae (gibbons, orangutan, chimpanzees, siamangs and gorillas) - all species;
    • (ii) Family Cercopithecidae:
      • A. Genus Macaca (macaques) - all species;
      • B. Genus Papio (mandrills, drills and baboons) - all species;
      • C. Theropithecus Gelada (Gelada baboon);
  • (b) Order Carnivora:
    • (i) Family Canidae:
      • A. Genus Canis (wolves, jackals and dingos; all species, including crosses between wolves and domestic animals);
      • B. Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf);
      • C. Cuon alpinus (red dog);
      • D. Lycaon pictus (African hunting dog);
    • (ii) Family Ursidae (bears) - all species;
    • (iii) Family Mustelidae - Gulo gulo (wolverine);
    • (iv) Family Hyaenidae (hyenas) - all species;
    • (v) Family Felidae:
      • A. Genus Leo or Panthera or Neofelis (lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards) - all species;
      • B. Unica unica (snow leopard);
      • C. Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah);
      • D. Felis concolor (cougar) - all subspecies;
  • (c) Order Proboscidae: Family Elephantidae (elephants) - all species;
  • (d) Order Perissodactyla: Family Rhinocerotidae (rhinoceroses) - all species;
  • (e) Order Artiodactyla:
    • (ii) Family Hippopotamidae - Hippopotamus amphibius (hippopotamus);
    • (ii) Family Bovidae: Syncerus caffer (African buffalo). 

Rules and Regulations: https://www.mdwfp.com/sites/default/files/2024-05/rule-83-animals-inherently-dangerous-to-humans-proposed.pdf

Permit Applications: permit applications can be requested by sending an email request to MDWFP at Colt.Mooney@wfp.ms.gov or by calling (601) 432-2199.