NAC504.498. Length of period for which wildlife may be held; release, euthanasia and disposal of wildlife.

     1. Wildlife may be held pursuant to a permit to rehabilitate wildlife only for such time as is reasonably necessary to make humane disposition of the wildlife, but, except as otherwise provided in this section:

     (a) A raptor may be held for not more than 180 days; and

     (b) Wildlife other than a raptor may be held for not more than 90 days.

     2. A holder of a permit to rehabilitate wildlife may submit a written request to the Department to hold the wildlife longer than the period provided in this section. The Department may require the holder of the permit to rehabilitate wildlife to provide a written, signed statement from a licensed veterinarian which sets forth the medical reasons which necessitate the extension of time.

     3. Wildlife which has been rehabilitated must be released:

     (a) Into the wild at a time which will be beneficial for the survival of the wildlife; and

     (b) Into a habitat which is suitable to sustain that wildlife.

     4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsection 2 of NAC 504.496, wildlife which cannot be released into the wild must be euthanized. If the wildlife is a migratory bird or species of wildlife which has been classified as threatened or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the wildlife may not be euthanized without the approval of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

     5. Unless otherwise required in the permit to rehabilitate wildlife, if wildlife which is not classified as threatened or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is euthanized or otherwise dies during its rehabilitation, the carcass of the wildlife must, within 30 days after the wildlife dies, be:

     (a) Disposed of by burial or incineration in accordance with the applicable local ordinances; or

     (b) Transferred to an educational facility that holds appropriate state and federal permits.

     6. If wildlife which is classified as threatened or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is euthanized or otherwise dies during its rehabilitation, the carcass of the wildlife must be disposed of as directed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or as directed by the Department.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs by R151-96, eff. 5-27-98)