A cooperative conservation program is a breeding and/or management program that aims to conserve a species (in the wild or in captivity, or both) and applies best practice to the management of husbandry, genetics, biology and behavioural needs of the species. The program's objectives must be based on the conservation status and needs of the species, and the program must not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.
Approval of a cooperative conservation program is required for all CITES Appendix I species where there is an intention to transfer live animals into or out of Australia for conservation breeding purposes. You can read more about Appendix I on the CITES page.
Conditions
You will only be granted a permit if you can demonstrate that you and/or your organisation can satisfy the following requirements:
- The program's objectives are based on the conservation status and conservation needs of the species of which the specimen is a member.
- It is operated in a way that:
- applies best practice to the management of husbandry, genetics, biology and behavioural needs of the species to which the specimen belongs
- is not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.
- It aims to conserve the species (in the wild or in captivity, or both).
- It does not allow a specimen used in the program to be used for commercial purposes.
- It takes into account the conservation breeding or propagation needs of each country from which specimens are imported.
- A specimen is removed from the program only in accordance with the program's objectives.
- A specimen is not moved between institutions within the program, or out of the program, in a way that is detrimental to other conservation programs or activities.
- For a specimen listed as a threatened species, the export is not inconsistent with any recovery plan for the species.
- For a live export of a koala, platypus, wombat or Tasmanian devil, or an animal of an eligible listed threatened species, the exporter, the importer and the federal environment department enter into an agreement about the treatment and disposal of the animal and/or any progeny of the animal.
- Specific conditions apply to the export from Australia of certain Australian native animals. Currently, such conditions apply to the export of koalas, wombats and macropods (kangaroos, wallabies and allies). Permit applications for these species will need to demonstrate that the relevant conditions have been met. These conditions can be found on the zoos page.