Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Public Act No. 21-52 Regarding the Big Six African Species

An Act Prohibiting the Import, Sale, and Possession of African Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, and Giraffes

Effective October 1, 2021 -- "Big six African species" means any specimen of any of the following members of the animal kingdom: African elephant (Loxodonta africana), African lion (Panthera leo), African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), and African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), including any part, product, or offspring thereof, or the dead body or parts thereof, except fossils, whether or not it is included in a manufactured product or in a food product.

  • No person shall import, possess, sell, offer for sale, or transport in Connecticut any of the big six African species.
  • Exceptions are detailed in Public Act No. 21-25.
  • Those who do not meet the exceptions are required to obtain a certificate of possession from the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection no later than 180 days after receipt of one or more of the big six African species. To obtain a certificate, fill out, sign, and submit this form to DEEP either by sending via email to deep.wildlife@ct.gov (include "African Wildlife Application" in the subject line) or to CT DEEP Wildlife Division, 79 Elm Street, 6th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106,