Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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,