Taiwan to ban raccoons, crocodiles and two families of snake as pets

Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) Proposed exotic pet regulations in Taiwan will prohibit buying raccoons, saltwater crocodiles, vipers and cobras as pets while banning private breeding, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said Wednesday.

Starting Wednesday, the new regulations will be subject to a 30-day public notice period before being implemented and taking effect, the MOA said.

Once implemented, the current owners of such animals will be required to register them with the ministry. Failure to do so within a stipulated period will result in a fine of NT$50,000 (US$1,623)-NT$250,000.

Citing public safety concerns as a key reason for the proposed changes, the MOA said vipers and cobras have dangerous venom that can cause serious illness and lasting injury, making them especially dangerous to keep as pets.

It also noted cases of people buying raccoons on impulse, only to abandon them as they grow more aggressive and harder to manage, creating high costs for animal control work.

Saltwater crocodiles are unsuitable for domestic environments due to their aggression and size, potentially growing to over five meters in length and weighing more than 200 kilograms, the MOA said.

The ministry noted that its proposed regulations draw on international precedents, citing Japan, the European Union and Singapore as examples.

A total of 647 species will be banned as pets once the new regulations are in place, including pit bulls and electric eels, according to the MOA.