Pre-Approval Requirements

Domesticated Elk

Pre-Approval Requirements for Importation of Captive Cervids into Utah

Please see the information following the checklist for additional details. 

  • Completed Utah Domesticated Elk Import Application

    • Signed by state/provincial animal health official
    • Approved by Utah State Veterinarian’s office

  • CWD Requirements

    • Participation in a National CWD Herd Certification Program for at least 60 months
    • Certified CWD free status from the state/province of origin
    • Letter that verifies the herd status for CWD testing from the administering agency
    • Not from a CWD-affected, trace-back, or trace-forward herd

  • P. tenuis (Meningeal worm)

    • No infected or exposed animals in the herd of origin

  • Herd Records

    • Number of elk that have died/were slaughtered in last 5 years
    • Number of elk tested for CWD in last 5 years

  • Other

    • Certificate of Registration for Utah herd receiving animals (reindeer only)
    • TB Accredited Herd number or Date of last TB test
    • RFID tag and ranch tag with a unique number
    • Date of last whole herd brucellosis test (Canadian herds only)
    • Statement of participation in the state brucellosis surveillance program (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming DSA herds only)

Import Application

The consignor must first complete the Utah Domesticated Elk Import Application and forward to the governing agency in the consignor’s state or province. The governing agency is responsible for validation of all information and compiling the necessary herd records and then returning the application to UDAF for consideration. The consignor should not move forward with the required testing until the herd has been approved for import. The import application can be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to (385) 465-6026.

CWD Requirements

All domesticated elk must originate from a state or province which has implemented a verified CWD surveillance program. Domesticated elk will only be allowed to enter Utah from herds that have been actively participating in a verified National CWD Herd Certification Program for at least sixty (60) months and have a certified CWD free status issued by the animal health official from the state or province of origin.

A letter must be provided from the administering agency which verifies the herd status for CWD testing, including:

  • Herd Identification
  • CWD enrollment date
  • Number of deaths since enrollment
  • Number of elk slaughtered or hunted since enrollment
  • Number of laboratory reports of CWD testing including prior enrollment
  • Source herds from which elk have been imported for the previous 5 years (Elk Movement Report), and dates of additions to the herd

No domesticated elk originating from a CWD affected herd, trace-back or trace-forward herd may enter Utah.

Other Requirements for Pre-Approval

Reindeer may only be imported to facilities with an existing Certificate of Registration from the Division of Wildlife Resources.

No cervids that have been infected with or exposed to P. tenuis (meningeal worm) may enter Utah. Cervids imported from east of the 100th meridian must be dewormed within 60 days before arrival.

All captive cervids must be officially identified with a radiofrequency ID (RFID) tag and a ranch or dangle tag with a unique number prior to shipment. The official and unofficial IDs do not need to be listed on the initial application, but will be required for final approval.

All cervidae imports must comply with the provisions of the Brucellosis in Cervidae: Uniform Methods and Rules and Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication: Uniform Methods and Rules. Additional information may be found in the Health Testing Requirements page and the Protocol For the Importation of Farmed Cervids From Canada.

Do not move forward with the required testing until the herd has been approved for import.