In early 2023, the USDA's proposed strengthening regulations under the Animal Welfare Act .
Animals were proposed to be categorized by risk level, with Category 1 (e.g., great apes, lions, and bears) carrying the strictest requirements for public safety. Exotic Entertainment & Events Exotic – March 2023
The initial comment period for this proposal was originally set to end on March 10, 2023 , but was extended to April 10, 2023 , to allow for more stakeholder feedback. In early 2023, the USDA's proposed strengthening regulations
The most prominent "Exotic" event in March 2023 was a major regulatory update from the concerning the handling of wild and exotic animals. Simultaneously, several niche events across entertainment, finance, and pets were headlined by the term. Regulatory Update: Wild and Exotic Animal Handling The most prominent "Exotic" event in March 2023
The proposal aimed to establish new standards for personnel training, public handling of animals during exhibitions, and "environmental enrichment" to improve the psychological well-being of animals.