Transporting Laboratory Animals
Animal transportation refers to the intentional transport of an animal from one location to another. Common categories of domesticated animals that are frequently transported include livestock destined either for direct sale or meat processing; zoo animals; laboratory animals; wild animals such as monkeys, birds, and cats; and animals that are being reintroduced or relocated from a conservation reserve or other controlled environment. Livestock is usually transported in crates, with space provisions for growth and comfort. Cages may also be used if space is limited. The purpose of transporting an animal other than for pleasure is to ensure that the animal will have a good living environment and be well cared for. You can check out this site to get more information about animal transportation.
Transporting live animals for any reason can be dangerous. For example, transporting exotic or endangered species is extremely dangerous, even if it occurs within the confines of a zoo or similar facility. Exotic animals pose both physical and social threats to humans who attempt to handle or travel with them. Similarly, interstate commerce involving live animals presents unique legal challenges to businesses and individuals who transport live creatures. In fact, the regulations governing interstate animal transportation are much more strict than those applied to the transportation of property.
One category of interstate transportation of live animals is air transportation. Air transport is the transportation of an animal through an aircraft. This transportation mode falls under the classification of utility transportation and is not regulated by federal safety agencies or state law. However, air transportation is frequently used in connection with research and veterinary specimen transportation, on a temporary basis. As a result, most airlines strictly regulate the transportation of laboratory animals, and passengers who transport laboratory animals on an airline are required to obtain specialized documentation and training in their care.
Another category of interstate transportation is by way of sea shipping. Sea shipping is the transportation of live freight containers by land and involves the movement of both live and dead freight. Additionally, in some cases sea shipping also involves the transportation of livestock. These types of shipments are heavily regulated by the Shipping Act of 1994 and are subject to a variety of restrictions. You can read more here about animal transportation.
Other common transportation methods include road transportation and trucking. Road transportation involves the movement of one or more living things by use of a roadway. Typical roadways used for this purpose include express lanes and access roads. Trucking operations typically involve the transportation of live cargo, and most trucking companies are well-regarded and required to have specialized trailers for transporting tapirs, hippos, and lions.
Tapirs are a popular subject matter when discussing the issue of wildlife transportation. In most instances, tapirs must be transported in extremely cold temperatures, as well as under extreme physical stress. Additionally, they must be shipped via slow moving trucks, which increase the possibility of damage to the animal during transport. It is important to remember that the laws and regulations pertaining to transporting laboratory animals are different than the general laws and regulations that apply to most other commercial transportation of wildlife. Special considerations must be made and you should always contact your local government office before transporting any type of animal. Check out this post https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_shipping that has expounded on the topic:
