No. Owning a kangaroo in Colombia is illegal under national wildlife protection laws, with no exceptions for private ownership. The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible) enforces strict prohibitions via Decree 1076 of 2015, classifying kangaroos as protected species under CITES Appendix II. Violations may result in fines up to 10,000 minimum legal wages or imprisonment under Law 1955 of 2019.
Key Regulations for Owning a Kangaroo in Colombia
- CITES Compliance: Kangaroos require import permits from the Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales (ANLA), which are denied for private pet ownership.
- Wildlife Protection Law: Law 2049 of 2020 criminalizes the possession of native or exotic wildlife without authorization, with penalties enforced by regional environmental authorities (CARs).
- Zoo and Scientific Exemptions: Only accredited institutions (e.g., zoos, research centers) may apply for permits under Decreto 1608 of 1978, subject to rigorous habitat and conservation criteria.
Recent 2026 compliance shifts under Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2022–2026 prioritize biodiversity protection, increasing inspections for illegal exotic pet trade. Non-compliance risks asset seizure and mandatory wildlife rehabilitation under Resolución 1912 of 2021.