Section 520.20  Requirements and Application

Any person who wishes to take or salvage Illinois fauna for scientific purposes must obtain and possess a valid scientific permit from the Department.

a)         To be eligible for a scientific permit for scientific research the applicant must be:

1)         18 years of age, and

2)         Engaged in scientific research which may include, but not necessarily limited to, research sponsored by universities and/or colleges.

b)         To be eligible for a scientific permit for salvage and subsequent rehabilitation of crippled fauna the applicant must be or have:

1)         15 years of age,

2)         A salvage permit the previous year or submit a reference statement from a licensed veterinarian, zoological curator, conservation police officer or a Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources, Natural Heritage, or Fisheries biologist as appropriate stating that the applicant has experience in treating and handling wild animals and has facilities available to treat, care for and produce self-dependent fauna for release to the wild, and

3)         Public or state scientific, educational or zoological institutions available which will take dead and/or permanently disabled fauna.

c)         Application for scientific permit shall be made on forms provided by the Department's Division of Wildlife Resources and may be obtained by submitting a request to the Division at Lincoln Tower Plaza, 524 South Second St., Springfield, Ill.  62706.

d)         Scientific permits will be issued by the Department provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements as per this section and the application form has been completed and project description meets the criteria of 520.30.

e)         Final judgment of applications will be made by the Chief, Division of Wildlife Resources on Wildlife permnits; by the Chief, Division of Fisheries on Fisheries permits; and by the Chief, Division of Natural Heritage on Heritage permits based on the criteria contained in Section 520.20(d).

f)          The taking of migratory or other species protected by Federal regulations must be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior after the Scientific Permit for Illinois is approved.  The only exception to this is banding permits which will be issued only after issuance of a Federal permit.  The taking of any endangered or threatened species must be done with concurrence of the Endangered Species Program Coordinator and, for taking of Federally listed species, the U.S. Department of the Interior.

(Source:  Amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 1815, effective December 31, 1987)