Daejeon City: "No Exhibition of Live Wild Animals in Cafes Without Reporting"

Daejeon City announced on the 6th that from the 14th of this month, the exhibition of live wild animals will be prohibited in wild animal cafes and wild animal sales facilities.

The exhibition of live wild animals is prohibited according to the amendment of the "Wildlife Protection and Management Act" (hereinafter referred to as the Wildlife Act).

However, exhibitions are allowed at zoos or aquariums that are permitted and registered, as well as wild animal-related facilities defined by law for public interest purposes.

Additionally, exhibitions of pets under the "Animal Protection Act," livestock under the "Livestock Act," aquatic and marine organisms, and certain species specified by the "Wildlife Act Enforcement Regulations," such as parrots, pheasants, finches, babblers, turtles, and non-venomous snakes, are also permitted.

Exhibitors who were operating as of December 13, 2022, may postpone the exhibition ban until December 13, 2027, if they report the location of the wild animal exhibition facility, the species, and the number of animals held to Daejeon City by the 13th of this month. Only the reported animals are exempted from the exhibition ban during this period.

Conversely, those who violate this and exhibit live wild animals may face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.

According to the amendment of the Wildlife Act, acts such as allowing visitors to ride prohibited exhibition animals, touch them, or feed them will also be banned. Violations will result in a fine of up to 5 million KRW.

Details about the wild animal exhibition ban system and how existing exhibitors can report wild animals can be found on the Daejeon City Hall website under city news.

Lee Sang-geun, Director of the Climate and Environment Policy Division of Daejeon City, said, "We ask citizens operating wild animal exhibition and sales facilities to report to the Climate and Environment Policy Division of Daejeon City Hall by the 13th of this month."