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Importing Exotics

1,360 Views | 9 Replies | Last: 22 days ago by O.G.
cupofjoe04
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4:23p, 10/30/24
AG
I loosely know someone who has a pretty nice farm in Canada, and he breeds Red Stag. He is getting older, and looking for an exit strategy. He is considering selling animals to ranches here in TX (Maybe there isn't enough demand there?).

Im curious what the rules are for importing livestock like Red Stag to Texas. I would love to learn more about the process. I know a decent bit about stag, and know they can be hell on a feed bill. But, I just don't know a lot about actually purchasing and importing them. Would they realistically survive that long of a trip? Or would the distance make this financially unreasonable? Appreciate any opinions or thoughts.

Would anyone here like to be kept in mind if he does end up looking for potential buyers?
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Gunny456
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5:58p, 10/30/24
AG
They will be considered alternative livestock and will need to be held in quarantine and vet check. They will be under the control of the USDA.
I believe he has to apply/get some type of permit. They are susceptible to CWD so I'm sure there will be some requirements to meet.
Many many years ago wife's uncle bought some Red Deer from up in Canada and it was fairly complicated for him way back then (35 or so years ago). …. so can only imagine now.
Perhaps contact the Exotic Wildlife Association in Kerrville for some guidance and procedures.
It is stressful on them in a trailer that long. Needs to be a specific exotic hauling trailer with larger compartments so they can have room to lie down and stand and move a bit. Water is important. Feed not so much…. but it needs to be as short a trip as possible to reduce stress.
A lot will have to do with capture and loading methods. If they have been worked and used to being handled and corralled it is not as stressful on them.
If they are in an open pasture they will probably be best caught with helo and net guns rather than darting. Net capture is much better. Darting can cause respiratory issues, side effects, etc.
ETA: I can recommend you call Chris Atkinson in Bandera for some solid knowledge and advice. Great Aggie and owns Sendero Exotics and Capture Service.
Call at two one zero 9 six 3 zero. Best in the business.
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Max06
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6:14p, 10/30/24
AG
There's many breeders within Canada, it would be a lot better for the animals to be transferred within Canada than sent to Texas.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Max06 • 6:21p, 10/30/24
AG
I think OP said his friend is a breeder?
But it might be a lot easier to sell to another breeder and let them do what they want. He may not make as much money but far less headaches for sure
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Max06
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In reply to Gunny456 • 8:59p, 10/30/24
AG
Breeder to breeder within Canada is way better than coming to Texas.
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txags92
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12:17p, 10/31/24
AG
Depending on where they are in Canada and what kind of CWD testing they have been doing on their herd, I suspect they will have difficulty satisfying the bolded part of the TAHC regulations below. I also thought that TPWD had declared a quarantine on importing live CWD susceptible species from out of state, but I can't find any official source saying that, so maybe I imagined it.

Quote:
TITLE 4 AGRICULTURE
PART 2 TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION
CHAPTER 51 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
RULE 51.10 Cervidae


(b) Requirements for entry. The applicant must identify the herd of origin and the herd of destination on both the permit application and the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The cervid(s) to be imported into this state shall be identified to their herd of origin by a minimum of two official unique identifiers to include, but not limited to, a legible tattoo, USDA approved eartag, breed registration, RFID device or other commission-approved permanent identification method. If a microchip is used for identification, the owner shall provide the necessary reader. The shipment shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection completed by an accredited veterinarian. Additionally, the applicant must provide documentation showing the animal(s) originate(s) from a herd that has achieved Certified status in an Approved State CWD Herd Certification Program in compliance with the interstate movement requirements of the May 2019 USDA CWD Herd Certification Program Standards and 9 CFR Parts 55 and 81 for a minimum of five years and is more than 25 miles from a location where CWD has been confirmed or as otherwise epidemiologically determined by the Executive Director.
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O.G.
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12:43p, 10/31/24
Gonna be an adustment going from Canada to this Texas heat. Might not want to do this in the summer months.

According to stories I was told, the YO had the reverse problem bringing animals from India & Africa back in the day. The encountered their first real winter(ish) but they did lose a fair amount of them.
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Gunny456
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In reply to txags92 • 12:47p, 10/31/24
AG
You did not imagine it. For a time Texas had closed all borders to CWD suspected species. I don't know if it's still in effect or not.
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Gunny456
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In reply to O.G. • 12:52p, 10/31/24
AG
Not a large number. They had built shelters for the cold tender species like Kudu, gazelles, elands etc. The blackbuck, axis, gemsbok, scimitar and adax adapted pretty well.
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O.G.
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In reply to Gunny456 • 1:52p, 10/31/24
Gunny456 said:
Not a large number. They had built shelters for the cold tender species like Kudu, gazelles, elands etc. The blackbuck, axis, gemsbok, scimitar and adax adapted pretty well.
Hmmm. The story, as it was related to me, was that the Blackbuck had a difficult time. My dad had a skull/horns from one that had died there during a winter.

The story was they had a pasture with an evening feeder and a morning feeder so they had to keep moving & by pasture, I mean 5000 acres.

The source was either Charlie III, or Capt. Bob Snow. Full disclosure: The old man could have mis-remembered part of the story.

In any event, the over all point is that I would hate to be an animal that was used to Canada weather, dropped in Texas in August.
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