No. Owning a kangaroo in Ireland is prohibited under the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, which classify non-native species like kangaroos as “wildlife” requiring strict licensing. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) enforces these restrictions, with no exceptions for private ownership. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Wildlife Act aim to further tighten controls on invasive species, closing loopholes that previously allowed limited exotic pet ownership.
Key Regulations for Owning a Kangaroo in Ireland
- Prohibition under Wildlife Acts: The Wildlife Act 1976 and its 2000 amendment explicitly ban the keeping of non-native species, including kangaroos, without a license. The NPWS has never issued such a license for kangaroos, classifying them as “invasive” under the 2011 Invasive Species Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014.
- CITES and Import Restrictions: Importing a kangaroo requires CITES permits, which are denied for private individuals. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine enforces this, aligning with EU-wide bans on non-native mammal imports post-2020.
- Enforcement and Penalties: Unauthorized possession risks fines up to €250,000 and/or imprisonment under the Wildlife Acts. The NPWS conducts inspections, and recent 2026 policy drafts propose mandatory DNA testing for exotic animals in private collections to curb illegal ownership.