The Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026 amends federal wildlife law to create exemptions for licensed zoos and animal facilities from penalties related to keeping certain prohibited wildlife species. The bill allows facilities with USDA Class B licenses to legally possess, register, and maintain restricted animals like snow leopards and clouded leopards, provided they do not breed, sell, acquire the animals, or allow public contact with them. The legislation also permits registered facilities to import or export these species to foreign zoos that operate legally in their countries. Additionally, the bill includes a process for facilities that mistakenly registered their animals to cancel that registration if they actually qualify for an exemption. The changes primarily affect zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and other licensed animal exhibitors, with implementation and oversight handled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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