Restricted Species
Restricted Animals
The Northern Territory is a unique part of Australia and is free from a range of introduced pest species found elsewhere in the country, such as the Indian Myna and European Starling. A number of species have been excluded from entering the Territory in order to minimise the potential spread or establishment of new pest species. These animals are defined as ‘Restricted Animals’ because they pose a considerable threat to native wildlife if released into the wild. This threat may be a result of predation and competition with native animals, or because they may spread diseases and parasites. ‘Restricted Animals’ include, but are not limited to, the following:
FERRETS (Mustela putorius)
- Ferrets are slightly smaller than domestic cats and come in a range of colour forms including white, brown and grey.
- Ferrets are related to otters and skunks and belong to the mustelidae family.
- Ferrets are carnivorous and may impact severely on native bird, mammal and reptile populations if released in the Northern Territory. The potential for disease introduction and transmission is also of serious concern.
- It is illegal to keep ferrets in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
- Refer to the Ferret Fact Sheet for more information
AXOLOTLS or MEXICAN WALKING FISH (Ambysotomaa mexiccanum)
- Axolotls are aquatic lizard like amphibians.
- Axolotls are actually the larval form of salamanders; however they retain the ability to breed while in this larval form.
- Axolotls are aggressive feeders and may impact severely on native frog and fish populations. The potential for disease introduction and transmission is also of serious concern.
RED-EARED SLIDER TURTLES (Trachemys scripta elegans)
- Red-eared slider turtles have a distinct red stripe behind each eye and have powerful jaws.
- These freshwater turtles are aggressive feeders and may impact severely on native frog, turtle and fish populations. The potential for disease introduction and transmission is also of serious concern.
- Feral populations of Red-eared Sliders have recently been reported along eastern Australia.
FROGS (all species)
- Providing you obtain the frog lawfully under the Northern Territory legislation and you have bought it within the Northern Territory, you are able to keep the frog without a permit (unless it is classified as threatened).
- However, captive frogs can pick up diseases in captivity that may not be present or widespread in the wild. For this reason, permits will not be issued to people seeking to move frogs into the Northern Territory from interstate locations.
- Under no circumstances should frogs that have been kept in captivity be released back into the wild, even to the same location that they came from.
- If you no longer wish to keep the frog, you should give it to another person to keep, to a dealer, or take it to a vet to have it put down humanely.
TURTLES (all species)
- Permits are required to keep all turtle species in the Northern Territory, except for the Northern long-necked turtle.
- Like frogs, captive turtles pose a high risk of spreading disease to wild populations. Wild turtles are vulnerable to these diseases. For this reason, permits will not be issued to individuals attempting to bring turtles into the Northern Territory, even those that were initially purchased in here.
- Under no circumstances should turtles that have been kept in captivity be released back into the wild, even to the same location that they came from.
- If you no longer wish to keep the turtle, you should give it to another person to keep, to a dealer, or take it to a vet to have it put down humanely.
This list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only. Persons found in possession of restricted species could face fines of up to $55,000 or five years imprisonment if found guilty of breaching the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. Any person considering importing wildlife (exotic or native) into the Northern Territory should contact the Parks and Wildlife Service Permits Office on 08 8999 4795 or 08 8999 4814.