The government of Uzbekistan on 5 November approved a resolution establishing the list of wild animals prohibited for private ownership in semi-wild conditions, artificial habitats or captivity.

This ban will take effect on 1 January 2025. From this date, keeping wild animals in public and traveling circuses will also be prohibited, as well as their use in circus performances.

Animals included in the list may only be kept in zoos and animal sanctuaries (such as terrariums, aquariums, serpentariums and similar facilities) operated by legal entities under permits issued by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change.

Poisonous and endangered wild animals, as listed in Uzbekistan’s Red Book, can be kept only in designated wildlife sanctuaries.

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Individuals and public or mobile circuses currently housing wild animals from the approved list may transfer them to zoos or animal sanctuaries under contract, either for a fee or free of charge.

Animals native to Uzbekistan’s fauna may be returned to their natural habitats, while non-native animals may be transferred abroad in line with legal regulations.

The government has set a deadline of 1 January, 2026 for the transfer of these animals to zoos and sanctuaries.

Additionally, procedures for legal management of listed wild animals by licensed entities has been approved.

List of wild animals prohibited for private ownership in semi-wild, artificial or captive conditions

Poisonous animals

  • Poisonous insects: Giant centipede, red fire ant, bulldog ant, red harvester ant or beard harvester ant, bullet and Asian giant hornet.
  • Poisonous arachnids: Poisonous scorpion species, black widow, king baboon spider, American wandering spider, Brazilian wandering spider, Sydney funnel-web spider, six-eyed sand spider and brown recluse spider.
  • Poisonous fiss: Stonefish, lionfish, stingrays, pufferfish (fugu) and long-spined porcupinefish.
  • Poisonous snakes and lizards: All species in the Elapidae family (cobras, kraits, etc.), all species in the Viperidae family (vipers, puff adders, etc.), boomslang and Komodo dragon.

Predatory animals

  • Predatory fish and marine predators: All species in the Carcharhinidae (gray sharks) family, all species of hammerhead sharks, bull shark, moray eels, sawfish, great barracuda, African tigerfish.
  • Freshwater and reptilian predators: All crocodile species and subspecies, alligator snapping turtle, matamata turtle.
  • Birds of prey: All species and subspecies of falcons and owls.
  • Felines: All subspecies of tigers, lions, wildcats (Asian golden cat, ocelot, lynx, caracal, serval, Pallas’s cat), all subspecies of leopards (panthers), cheetahs, jaguars, pumas, snow leopards, all species and subspecies of clouded leopards.
  • Canines and hyenas: All species and subspecies of wolves, jackals, foxes, and all species in the hyena family.
  • Bears and small carnivores: Honey badger, wolverine, all species and subspecies of bears.

Animals dangerous to human health and life

  • Aquatic animals: Electric rays, electric eels, electric catfish, common piranha.
  • Reptiles: Large constrictor snakes (reticulated python, Burmese python, green anaconda).
  • Birds: All species of cassowaries.
  • Large mammals: All species and subspecies of elephants, rhinos, and equines (excluding domestic horses and donkeys), hippopotamus, bison, European bison, African buffalo.
  • Primates: All species and subspecies of gorillas, orangutans, baboons, chimpanzees, and gibbons.
  • Marsupials: All species of kangaroos.