No, owning a kangaroo in Norway is illegal under the Regulation on the Keeping of Exotic Animals (FOR-2009-06-12-700), enforced by the Norwegian Environment Agency. The species is classified as “unfit for captivity” due to welfare and ecological risks, with no permits issued for private ownership.
Key Regulations for Owning a Kangaroo in Norway
- Prohibition under FOR-2009-06-12-700: The regulation explicitly bans kangaroos, listing them in Annex 1 as animals unsuitable for private keeping due to their complex needs and potential to disrupt local ecosystems.
- Enforcement by the Norwegian Environment Agency: Violations may result in confiscation, fines up to NOK 100,000 (≈€9,000), or criminal charges under the Nature Diversity Act (2009), with recent 2026 amendments tightening penalties for exotic animal violations.
- Zoo and research exemptions: Only licensed institutions (e.g., Nordens Ark) may hold kangaroos under strict welfare and conservation criteria, subject to annual inspections by the Agency.
Local municipalities lack authority to override these restrictions, as the regulation supersedes municipal bylaws. Import permits for kangaroos are denied under the CITES regulations and the Animal Welfare Act (2015), which mandates species-specific suitability assessments.