New York · Through 2026-09-11

N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0538: Direct contact between public and big cats prohibited

§ 11-0538. Direct contact between public and big cats prohibited.
  1. As used in this section:
  (a) "Big cat" shall mean any live species of lion (panthera leo),
tiger (panthera tigres), leopard (panthera pardus) (with the exception
of clouded leopards (neofelis nebulosa)), jaguar (panthera onca),
mountain lion, sometimes called cougar (felis concolar) or any hybrid of
such species.
  (b) "Direct contact" means physical contact or proximity where
physical contact is possible, including, but not limited to, allowing a
photograph to be taken without a permanent physical barrier designed to
prevent physical contact between the public and big cats.
  (c) "Dealer" shall mean any person who, in commerce, for compensation
or profit, delivers for transportation, or transports, except as a
carrier, buys, sells, or negotiates the purchase or sale of any animals.
  (d) "Exhibitor" shall mean any person (public or private) exhibiting
any animals, which were purchased in commerce or the intended
distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the
public for compensation, as determined by the commissioner, and such
term includes carnivals, circuses, and zoos exhibiting such animals
whether operated for profit or not.
  2. It shall be unlawful for any person licensed or required to be
licensed as an exhibitor or dealer pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, 7
USC 2132-2134, including agents or employees of such person, to
knowingly allow the public to have direct contact with a big cat.
  3. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be
subject to a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the first
offense and not more than one thousand dollars for a second and
subsequent offenses. Each instance of allowing direct contact of a big
cat with the public in violation of this section shall constitute a
separate offense.
  4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict
veterinary examination, treatment or care of a big cat or transportation
of the animal for such purpose.

Where this section sits in the code

Environmental Conservation Law
Article 11. Fish and Wildlife
Title 5. Fish and Wildlife Management Practices Cooperative Program; Prohibitions; Taking of Fish, Wildlife, Shellfish and Crustacea For Scientific or Propagation Purposes; Destructive Wildlife; Rabies Control; Guides; Endangered Species

§ 11-0538. Direct contact between public and big cats prohibited.

1. As used in this section:

(a) "Big cat" shall mean any live species of lion (panthera leo),

tiger (panthera tigres), leopard (panthera pardus) (with the exception

of clouded leopards (neofelis nebulosa)), jaguar (panthera onca),

mountain lion, sometimes called cougar (felis concolar) or any hybrid of

such species.

(b) "Direct contact" means physical contact or proximity where

physical contact is possible, including, but not limited to, allowing a

photograph to be taken without a permanent physical barrier designed to

prevent physical contact between the public and big cats.

or profit, delivers for transportation, or transports, except as a

carrier, buys, sells, or negotiates the purchase or sale of any animals.

(d) "Exhibitor" shall mean any person (public or private) exhibiting

any animals, which were purchased in commerce or the intended

distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the

public for compensation, as determined by the commissioner, and such

term includes carnivals, circuses, and zoos exhibiting such animals

whether operated for profit or not.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person licensed or required to be

licensed as an exhibitor or dealer pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, 7

USC 2132-2134, including agents or employees of such person, to

knowingly allow the public to have direct contact with a big cat.

3. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be

subject to a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the first

offense and not more than one thousand dollars for a second and

subsequent offenses. Each instance of allowing direct contact of a big

cat with the public in violation of this section shall constitute a

separate offense.

4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict

veterinary examination, treatment or care of a big cat or transportation

of the animal for such purpose.

Collected 2026-09-14T19:32:44Z. Source file · JSON

Browse this collection