The Atlantic Puffin is a species of seabird found in the North Atlantic Ocean. With its distinctive colorful beak, the Atlantic Puffin is a popular bird that many people admire. This leads to the question – can you legally own an Atlantic Puffin as a pet? There are several factors to consider when determining if owning an Atlantic Puffin is allowed.
Legal Status of the Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This act makes it illegal to harm, kill, or own migratory birds, including their nests and eggs, without a permit. The Atlantic Puffin is considered a migratory bird, so it is federally protected under this law. Some key facts about the legal status of Atlantic Puffins:
– It is illegal to own, possess, or sell an Atlantic Puffin without a proper permit. Permits are typically only given out for educational or scientific purposes.
– Even if you have a permit, the possession of an Atlantic Puffin is restricted to certified facilities like zoos or aquariums. They cannot be kept as personal pets.
– There are fines and penalties for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by possessing an Atlantic Puffin without authorization. This can include fines up to $15,000 and jail time up to 6 months.
So under federal law, it is generally illegal for the average person to own an Atlantic Puffin. There are a few exceptions that require permits, but personal pet ownership is not allowed.
State and Local Laws
In addition to federal laws, state and local laws may also prohibit owning an Atlantic Puffin. Many states have regulations against possessing wildlife or exotic animals without authorization. Even if you somehow obtained a puffin, possessing it within a state or municipality that prohibits exotic pets would still be illegal.
Some places have total bans on possessing any wild or exotic animals. Other areas may require permits or registrations to possess certain bird species, which could include Atlantic Puffins. So obtaining relevant state and local permits is crucial along with federal approval.
How to Legally Own an Atlantic Puffin
While generally illegal, there are a few limited exceptions that would allow someone to legally own an Atlantic Puffin. Here are the main options:
Get a Migratory Bird Permit
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can issue permits under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in some cases for possession of Atlantic Puffins. However, these permits are restricted to only certain categories:
– Scientific/Educational Purposes – Research facilities, universities, or other qualified institutions can apply for a scientific collection permit. This allows temporary possession of puffins for closely regulated educational or scientific studies.
– Native American Tribes – Native American groups may apply for permits to own Atlantic Puffins for religious or ceremonial purposes. These permits allow care and feeding of live puffins.
– Falconry – In some rare cases, qualified falconers may be granted permits to temporarily use Atlantic Puffins in falconry activities and bird abatement programs.
So for the average person, getting a migratory bird permit for a pet Atlantic Puffin is extremely unlikely. But it remains a possibility for researchers, tribal members, or falconers in specialized situations.
Display at a Zoo or Aquarium
Accredited zoos and aquariums can apply for permits to house Atlantic Puffins under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Facilities that display live Atlantic Puffins for educational purposes may qualify. These institutions have specialized knowledge and resources to properly care for puffins.
To legally display Atlantic Puffins, the facility should have:
– An educational/scientific mission and qualified staff
– Proper enclosures, habitats, and diet for puffins
– Vet care, health monitoring, and contingency planning
– Conservation initiatives and breeding programs
In these settings, people could have access to seeing live Atlantic Puffins through exhibits and encounters. But they would not be considered personal pets. The puffins remain under the zoo or aquarium’s permit.
Become a Rehabilitator
In some situations, wildlife rehabilitators who specialize in seabirds may be granted permission to temporarily house injured or orphaned Atlantic Puffins. Once again, specialized facilities and skills are required with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing puffins back to the wild.
These rehab permits are time-limited (often 6 months) and possession is strictly for medical treatment purposes only. Atlantic Puffins at rehab facilities should not be considered pets.
So wildlife rehabilitators may legally work with Atlantic Puffins, but only to ultimately return them to their natural habitats. Permanent pet ownership is not allowed.
Purchasing Atlantic Puffins
Since owning Atlantic Puffins is generally illegal, purchasing them as pets is also prohibited. There are a few important points about buying and selling puffins:
– It is illegal to buy or sell any Atlantic Puffins that were illegally acquired.
– Trading, importing, or exporting Atlantic Puffins across state or international borders is prohibited without permits.
– Only recognized facilities like zoos or aquariums may legally purchase Atlantic Puffins when granted federal migratory bird permits.
– Online sales, auction sites, and private dealers are not authorized sources to purchase Atlantic Puffins. These sellers likely lack proper permits.
– Be wary of international sellers claiming to offer Atlantic Puffins. Importing wildlife requires valid documentation and inspections.
In summary, do not purchase Atlantic Puffins unless you are an accredited institution granted explicit permission. Unauthorized sales and purchases of Atlantic Puffins are illegal.
Caring for Atlantic Puffins
If granted an extremely rare permit, proper care is essential for the wellbeing of Atlantic Puffins in human possession. Here are some key considerations:
Proper Enclosure
Atlantic Puffins are pelagic seabirds that spend most of their lives offshore and come to land only to breed. They are awkward on land. Any enclosure should include:
– Sufficient water access with areas both deep enough to swim under and shallow enough to stand
– Rocky crevices or sheltered nesting boxes for roosting and hiding
– Low perches over water since puffins do not typically perch high up
– Access to fresh fish for feeding
– Areas with natural light cycles
– Space for flight and swimming – minimum dimensions of roughly 8 ft x 8 ft x 4 ft
Social and Behavioral Needs
Atlantic Puffins are highly social birds that live and breed in large colonies. Keeping multiple puffins together is recommended. Be alert to signs of stress, aggression, or poor adaptation. Ensure proper human interactions to socialize puffins.
Proper Diet
Atlantic Puffins are carnivorous and eat small fish, crustaceans, and marine invertebrates. Provide a frequent, varied diet including:
– Small fish like sand eels, capelin, herring, and smelts
– Squid, krill, shrimp
– Vitamin supplements
Consult avian nutritionists to formulate a complete diet. Proper feeding is critical for the health of puffins.
Veterinary Care
Routine checkups, preventative care, and prompt treatment if health issues emerge are essential. Have relationships with avian vets or marine wildlife vets. Common issues include parasites, infections, foot problems, and injuries.
With attentive husbandry, an Atlantic Puffin can thrive in human care. But this is only possible with extensive expertise and permitted circumstances.
Risks of Illegal Possession
It’s understandable that such a unique seabird would tempt some people to try keeping an Atlantic Puffin illegally as a pet. However, there are many risks associated:
– Severe penalties including fines up to $15,000 and six months jail for each unauthorized puffin
– Confiscation or seizure of the puffin by US Fish and Wildlife authorities
– Inability to meet the complex habitat, social, dietary, and veterinary needs of Atlantic Puffins
– Potential spread of disease from wild animals to domestic bird populations
– Increased stress to the puffin from improper human interactions and housing
– Promotion of the illegal pet trade and over-collection of puffins from the wild
– Poor public opinion and reputation from owning protected wildlife
The risks far outweigh any benefits of illegal possession. For the sake of the individual animal and wild puffin populations, obtaining proper permits is critical.
Purchasing Captive-Bred vs Wild Atlantic Puffins
Due to the rarity of captive breeding success, most available Atlantic Puffins have been sourced from wild populations. However, a few facilities have had reproduction success with the species.
There are some key differences between captive-bred vs wild Atlantic Puffins:
Captive-Bred
– Accustomed to humans and easier to socialize/handle
– Lower disease transmission risks
– Not removed from wild populations
– Extremely limited availability
– Higher cost – $5,000 to $10,000+
Wild-Caught
– Higher stress and more demanding to acclimate
– Greater disease risks from wild pathogens
– Contributes to collection pressures on wild birds
– More availability from international sellers
– Lower cost – often $1,000 to $3,000
When sourcing legally with permits, captive-bred Atlantic Puffins are generally preferable to limit pressures on wild populations. However, they are far less common in the pet trade currently.
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about owning Atlantic Puffins:
Are Atlantic Puffins legal to own in my state?
You need to research both state and local laws in your area. Some municipalities outright ban exotic animals as pets. Even if your state allows exotic birds, there may be restrictions on native wildlife like Atlantic Puffins. Never assume puffin ownership is legal without explicitly checking regulations.
Can I find an Atlantic Puffin for sale online?
Some websites may claim to sell Atlantic Puffins, but proceed with extreme caution. Online sellers are rarely reputable sources and likely lack necessary permits. Purchasing internationally imported puffins online also risks spreading wildlife diseases. It’s best to only obtain puffins from verified institutions.
What does an Atlantic Puffin cost?
For the average person, an Atlantic Puffin is illegal to purchase at any cost. At accredited zoos and aquariums, the price is substantial. Captive bred puffins could cost $5,000 to $10,000+. Wild-caught puffins may be $1,000 to $3,000. Do not purchase from unverified sellers offering low “bargain” prices, as their puffins are likely illegal and could be confiscated.
Can I keep a puffin in my home or apartment?
No, an Atlantic Puffin requires an extremely specialized enclosure that replicates their natural marine environment. This is only possible for facilities with the resources, expertise, and permits to properly house puffins. They are not suitable pets for a typical home.
Population Status
Due to past hunting and habitat loss, Atlantic Puffin numbers declined severely in the 19th and 20th centuries. But with protective laws and conservation work, populations have rebounded in many regions:
Location | Population Estimate | Population Trend |
---|---|---|
Iceland | 7 million to 9 million (largest population) | Increasing |
Norway | 1 million to 2 million | Stable |
United Kingdom | 375,000 to 500,000 | Increasing |
Canada | 347,000 | Increasing |
United States | 123,000 | Stable |
The IUCN Red List categorizes the Atlantic Puffin as Vulnerable globally but Least Concern in Europe. Ongoing monitoring and protection are still needed for population health. Removing puffins from the wild for the pet trade could negatively impact populations.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Puffin is a beautiful and iconic seabird, but owning one as a personal pet is not legal for the general public. Extensive federal and state permits are required, strictly for limited purposes like research, zoos, rehabilitation, or ceremonial use. Penalties for violating wildlife laws by illegally possessing Atlantic Puffins are severe. Additionally, puffins have extremely specialized care needs that are difficult to meet outside professional facilities. While admired, Atlantic Puffins should be enjoyed in the wild or in responsible exhibits when permitted. With some populations recovering from past endangerment, continued protection enables these seabirds to thrive in their natural marine environments.