Wildlife Educators

Wildlife that cannot be rehabilitated for release back into the wild can be authorized for use at facilities for wildlife education. Most wildlife species can be authorized for use in education programs. However, white-tailed deer and black bears are not eligible for such authorization.

The programs provided by these facilities are performed at no cost. An individual who provides such programming must have a minimum of 200 hours of experience in handling and care of the species to be used in educational programs.

Facilities utilizing raptors for programs must also have permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Qualifications Needed To Be Eligible For A Wildlife Education Permit

  1. A person must meet one of the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Wildlife Education Permit:
    1. 200 hours of experience in handling and care of the species in which the person wishes to be permitted
    2. One year of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician
    3. Possess a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and be Board Certified in the State of Tennessee
    4. Possess a valid permit for Wildlife Education from another state for the species in which the person wishes to be permitted. Also, individuals in this category must have been in good standing in the state in which the permit was held.
  2. In the Event a person cannot meet the needed criteria, they may substitute the following:
    1. Every credit hour earned for college courses worked in zoology, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine can be submitted for hours of experience, up to 100 hours.
    2. There will be no substitutions for the following categories:
      1. One year full time employment as a veterinary technician
      2. Possession of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
      3. Have been permitted for Wildlife Education by another state
  3. Anyone who has been found in violation of any state wildlife laws or federal wildlife laws does not qualify for a Wildlife Education Permit.
  4. Anyone holding Captive Wildlife Permits or possessing non-native wildlife species is not eligible for a Wildlife Education Permit.
  5. The possession of any wildlife must be in accordance with the city and/or county ordinances in which the wildlife is being held.
  6. Issuance of a Wildlife Education Permit will be done on an "an needed" basis, in which need is determined by TWRA.