(1) DESIGNATION. (a) The department shall designate by rule cougars, members of the family ursidae, wild swine, and feral swine as harmful wild animals. After consulting with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and the department of health services, the department of natural resources may designate by rule other species of wild animals as harmful wild animals if any of the following applies: 1. The wild animal is not a native wild animal and is capable of inflicting harm to the environment. 2. The wild animal is capable of creating a risk to public health or to the health of domestic animals. 3. The wild animal is capable of inflicting severe physical harm to humans or to domestic animals. (b) No person may possess, take, propagate, sell, purchase, transfer, exhibit, or rehabilitate a live harmful wild animal unless specifically authorized to do so by the department. (c) No person may introduce, stock, or release, or import into this state to introduce, stock, or release, any harmful wild animal unless specifically authorized to do so by the department under s. 169.06 (1) (c). (3) EXEMPTIONS. (a) Public zoos and aquariums are exempt from the prohibition under sub. (1) (b). (b) 1. Veterinarians are exempt from the prohibition under sub. (1) (b) for the purpose of providing medical treatment to harmful wild animals. 2. For purposes of subd. 1., “medical treatment” does not include rehabilitation.
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