(a) The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources may prohibit by duly promulgated regulation the importation of any bird, animal, reptile, amphibian, or fish when the importation of the animal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish would not be in the best interest of the state.
(b) This section does not apply to birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish used for display purposes for carnivals, zoos, circuses, and other like shows and exhibits where ample provision is made so the birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish will not escape or be released in this state.
(c) Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association who or which imports, brings, or causes to be brought or imported into the State of Alabama any bird, animal, reptile, amphibian, or fish, the importation of which has been forbidden by duly promulgated regulation of the commissioner, shall be in violation of this section and upon conviction thereof shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, except that the punishment for each offense shall be a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or both.
Citation: Ala. Code 1975 § 9-2-13.
(a) The flattened musk turtle (sternotherus minor depressus) is a reptile unique to the State of Alabama. The Legislature finds the protection of this unique specie is required for its survival.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, it is unlawful for any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other entity to:
(1) Hunt, wound, injure, kill, trap, collect or capture a flattened musk turtle (sternotherus minor depressus), or to attempt to engage in such conduct; or
(2) Sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase, deliver, transport, carry or ship, in intrastate, interstate, or foreign commerce a flattened musk turtle (sternotherus minor depressus), whether alive or dead, or any of its parts or products, or to attempt to engage in such conduct.
(c) The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall permit, under such reasonable terms and conditions as it may prescribe consistent with this section, any act otherwise prohibited by subsection (b) of this section for one of the following purposes: scientific or survival research, zoological exhibition, or education; provided that, the prohibitions of subsection (b)(2) of this section shall not be effective until 30 calendar days after passage of this section; and provided further, that the prohibitions of subsection (b)(1) of this section regarding the killing and injuring of a flattened musk turtle (sternotherus minor depressus) shall not apply to activities where such killing or injuring is incidental to, and not the purpose of, such activities which are otherwise lawful; provided further, that the prohibitions of subsection (b) and the permitting process of subsection (c) shall not apply to any flattened musk turtle captured prior to the passage of this section, or to any offspring of such previously captured flattened musk turtle.
(d) Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity who violates the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall, upon conviction be fined not more than $5,000.00, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
Citation: Ala. Code 1975 § 9-11-269.