Wild Animal Control Act, 1977.

The purpose of this Act, consisting of 5 Parts and one Schedule, is to control wild animals generally, and eradicate wild animals locally where necessary and practicable in order to ensure concerted action against the damaging effects of wild animals on vegetation, soils, waters, and wildlife, to provide for the regulation of recreational hunting, commercial hunting, wild animal recovery, etc. The Minister shall have the primary responsibility on any land and shall be responsible for the following: preparing and carrying out animal surveys, and conducting wild animal research work; coordinating policies and activities of public bodies; preparing and issuing wild animal control plans; administering and managing wild animals; etc.The Act makes provisions for the hunting, killing, ownership, liberation, keeping in captivity of wild animals. The Act further provides for: the granting of concessions to authorize wild animal recovery operations on certain Crown-owned land; declaration of recreational hunting areas; powers of local authorities; offences and penalties; regulation making powers of the Governor-General; etc.

Amended by: Wild Animal Control Amendment Act, 1997. (1997-09-23)
Amended by: Wild Animal Control Amendment Act, 1999, (1999)