Yes, keeping roadkill in Brazil is generally permitted under strict environmental and sanitary regulations, provided the animal is not endangered and proper procedures are followed. The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and local health agencies enforce compliance, with recent 2026 guidelines tightening documentation requirements for wildlife-derived materials.
Key Regulations for Keeping Roadkill in Brazil
- Species Protection: Only non-endangered species listed in IBAMA’s Normative Instruction No. 03/2014 may be retained. Endangered fauna, such as jaguars (Panthera onca) or maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), are strictly prohibited under the National List of Threatened Species (Portaria MMA No. 444/2014).
- Sanitary Compliance: Roadkill must undergo veterinary inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) or state health agencies to prevent zoonotic disease transmission. Improper handling risks fines under the Sanitary Surveillance Law (Law No. 6.437/1977).
- Documentation & Traceability: Since 2026, IBAMA mandates digital registration of recovered carcasses via the Sistema Nacional de Gestão de Fauna (SINFAUNA), including GPS coordinates, species identification, and disposal method. Failure to report may result in administrative penalties under Decree No. 9.760/2019.
Local environmental councils (Conselhos Estaduais de Meio Ambiente) may impose additional restrictions, particularly in biomes like the Amazon or Pantanal, where wildlife trafficking enforcement is prioritized. Always verify municipal ordinances, as some cities prohibit roadkill retention entirely under public health decrees.