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Wildlife Management and Licensing: Non-native mammals
Releasing non-native mammals
Legal status
The release into the wild of animal species which are not native to Great Britain, whatever their proposed use, is prohibited by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (section 14).
This section of the Act also prohibits the release of certain animals which are already established in the wild in Great Britain (list of species affected 
).
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published guidance on its policy regarding releases , including a supplemental note giving guidance on when to consider a release into an enclosure as a release into the wild.
How to apply for a licence to release mammals
The release of non-native species may be authorised under licence in certain circumstances. Please download and complete application form WML-A03 . If you are unable to download the form from the link above they can be obtained directly from the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service, who can also provide you with guidance if required. We also provide a range of answers to frequently asked questions [398 kB] that may be useful.
on this issue.
We aim to process licence applications within 30 working days from date of receipt.
Keeping non-native mammals
Legal status
Under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (as amended) certain non-native mammals may only be kept in captivity under the authority of a licence.
Section 8 of the Act permits the issue of special licences to keep:
- mink (Mustela vison),
- coypu (Myocaster coypus)and
- grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)
for exhibition, scientific research or other exceptional purposes. Guidance on applying for a licence is given below.
Please note that it is an offence under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) to release or allow to escape into the wild grey squirrels, mink and coypu without a licence, (see above for details).
How to apply for a licence to keep mammals
If you wish to apply for a licence you will need to complete application form WML-A04 and post it to the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service at Bristol. Please note that we are currently updating our forms to allow electronic submission. In urgent cases, applications may be accepted by facsimile. If you are unable to download the form from the link above they can be obtained directly from the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service who can also provide you with guidance if required. We also provide a range of answers to frequently asked questions [398 kB] that may be useful.
Please note, there is a charge of £185 for licences for coypu, but not mink or grey squirrels.
We aim to process licence applications within 30 working days from date of receipt.