Taxidermy means preparing and mounting parts, complete specimens, or products of wildlife for the purpose of preserving those products of wildlife in a lifelike form. It also includes the restoration of already preserved specimens.
Why is the regulation of taxidermy important?
Taxidermy regulations vary according to the conservation status of an animal and the manner in which it is obtained.
It is important for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) to fairly regulate taxidermy and ensure the practice does not unreasonably impact wildlife. Taxidermy of wildlife can serve important scientific and educational purposes, but if not appropriately regulated, it can potentially increase the illegal trade of rare species or those that present a biosecurity risk.
Please contact Wildlife Services if you are in any doubt as to your legal obligations under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations 2021.
Taxidermy for commercial use
An authority to taxidermy for commercial use requires a person to be the holder of a Commercial Taxidermy Licence (CTL).
A CTL may authorise the holder to:
- undertake taxidermy
- buy, receive, acquire, possess or otherwise dispose of products of partly protected wildlife, or
- receive and possess (but not buy or otherwise dispose of) products of protected, specially protected and restricted (special purpose) wildlife.
The taxidermy of protected and specially protected wildlife must be undertaken for scientific or educational purposes only. Examples include:
- museums or art galleries
- schools
- universities or other teriary education providers
- cultural centres/institutions with an aim of increasing awareness or understanding of cultural heritage, or
- technical skills training (taxidermy or otherwise).
Note:
- Products of wildlife must only be sourced or received from a person who is legally authorised (permitted/licensed) to take, possess and/or deliver for the purpose of taxidermy.
- A CTL does not authorise the 'take' of wildlife or products of wildlife which includes the killing of wildlife to acquire products of wildlife or the carrying out of any operation for the purpose of obtaining a products of wildlife.
How do I apply?
To apply for a CTL, please complete the form below. Please read the fact sheet attached to the application form before completing the application and submit to Wildlife Services.
Commercial Taxidermy Licence Application Form (PDF 286Kb)
Taxidermy for non-commercial use
Taxidermy of wildlife for non-commercial use is allowed in certain circumstances and only with prior authorisation from NRE Tas. The activity of preparing and preserving the products of wildlife must be for non-commercial purposes only.
An authority to taxidermy for non-commercial use requires a person to be the holder of a Permit for Non-commercial Taxidermy (PNT).
A PNT may authorise the holder to:
- Possess and taxidermy products of partly protected and protected wildlife.
Note:
- Products of wildlife must only be legally sourced or obtained from a person who is lawfully authorised to receive or deliver such products of wildlife.
- This permit does not authorise any associated buying or selling of products of wildlife.
- A holder of a current Commercial Taxidermy Licence does not require additional licences to carry out taxidermy for non-commercial use.
- A PNT does not authorise the 'take' of wildlife or products of wildlife which includes the killing of wildlife to acquire products of wildlife or the carrying out of any operation for the purpose of obtaining a product of wildlife.
How do I apply?
To apply for a PNT, please complete the form below. Please read the fact sheet attached to the application form before completing the application and submit to Wildlife Services.
Permit for Non-Commercial Taxidermy for an individual application (PDF 320Kb)
For information regarding requirements for the importation of animal carcasses for taxidermy purposes please go to the Importing Animals into Tasmania webpage.
Delivering and possessing products of wildlife for taxidermy
If you wish to deliver products of partly protected, protected, specially protected or restricted (special purposes) wildlife to the holder of a Commercial Taxidermy Licence for the purpose of taxidermy, you will need prior authorisation from NRE Tas.
A Permit to Possess Products of Wildlife for Taxidermy may allow the holder to:
- possess and deliver the product of wildlife for the purposes of taxidermy to the holder of a Commercial Taxidermy Licence.
Applications for the taxidermy of specially protected wildlife will only be issued for individual specimens in the following circumstances:
- scientific purposes
- use at educational organisations/facilities
- to a person, business or government body where the applicant can demonstrate that appropriate educational interpretation material relating to conservation of that species will be displayed alongside the specimen, or
- to a registered wildlife rehabilitator who will use the specimen for educational purposes.
Application for protected or restricted (special purpose) wildlife will only be issued for individual specimens where:
- the applicant can demonstrate that the product of wildlife will or has been lawfully obtained, for example, authorised under a hunting licence, permit, through the death of a legally possessed animal, or purchased through a Tasmanian auction house, or
- the product of wildlife has been legally obtained interstate and imported to Tasmania.
How do I apply?
To apply for a Permit to Possess Products of Wildlife for Taxidermy, please complete the form below. Please read the fact sheet attached to the application form before completing the application and submit to Wildlife Services.
Permit to Possess Products of Wildlife for Taxidermy Application (PDF 492Kb)
Permit to Possess Products of Wildlife for taxidermy for a Body Corporate Application (PDF 447Kb)
Possessing taxidermied specimens
If you are already in possession of a previously taxidermied specimen of a protected, specially protected or restricted (sepcial purposes) wildlife specimen you require authorisation from NRE Tas.
Applications to possess taxidermied specimens of specially protected wildlife will only be issued for individual specimens in the following circumstances:
- scientific purposes
- use at educational organisations/facilities
- to a person, business or government body where the applicant can demonstrate that appropriate educational interpretation material relating to conservation of that species will be displayed alongside the specimen
How do I apply?
To apply for a Permit to Possess Products of Taxidermied Specimens, please complete the form below. Please read the fact sheet attached to the application form before completing the application and submit to Wildlife Services.
Special Purposes Wildlife Permit to possess products of wildlife taxidermied specimens application (PDF 313Kb)
Special Purposes Wildlife Permit to possess products of wildlife taxidermied specimens for a Body Corporate Application (PDF 487Kb)