Section 27-5-1. Legislative intent and findings

   The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in the public interest to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare by strictly regulating in this state the importation, transportation, sale, transfer, and possession of those wild animals which pose a possibility of:

   (1) Harmful competition for wildlife;

   (2) The introduction of a disease or pest harmful to wildlife;

   (3) Problems of enforcing laws and regulations relative to wildlife;

   (4) Threatening wildlife or other natural resources; or

   (5) Endangering the physical safety of human beings.

The importation, transportation, sale, transfer, and possession of wild animals are privileges not to be granted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that such actions can be accomplished in a manner that does not pose unnecessary risk to Georgia's wildlife and other natural resources or to the citizens of and visitors to this state. For these reasons, the General Assembly further finds and declares that only certain wild animals may be held for scientific or educational purposes, for public exhibition, or as pets and may only be lawfully held when the requirements of this chapter are met. The General Assembly further finds and declares that any wild animal for which a license or permit, or both, is required under the provisions of this chapter and for which no such license or permit, or both, has been obtained is a nuisance and is contraband and is subject to seizure by any peace officer authorized to enforce this chapter.

Code 1933, § 45-1101, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1094, § 4; Ga. L. 1993, p. 91, § 27.