Insurance Sidetracks Exotic Animals Bill

Idaho lawmakers have turned down legislation designed to give state agencies more authority to control wild and exotic animals held in captivity.

The bill, rejected for the second time in as many years, was triggered by the September 1995 escape and subsequent hunting down of 19 African lions at Ligertown, a ramshackle collection of pens and cages at Lava Hot Springs.

Sponsors pointed to that event in calling for tougher laws requiring licensing and inspection of such facilities. The bill also would have required $500,000 to $1 million worth of insurance.

The House killed the bill 38-28 on Friday after a long debate.

Rep. Bill Deal, R-Nampa said he was advised the only company that would provide such insurance was Lloyds of London, and policies typically would cost $5,000 to $6,000.

“You will not get any insurance,” said Rep. Dan Mader, R-Genesee. “The insurance will be worth more than your animal. Anybody who wants to own these animals is now prohibited from doing so.”

Bannock County deputies killed 18 of the escaped animals and a Lava Hot Springs man spotted one escaped lion a week later and shot it.

The surviving 27 lions were taken to Wildlife Waystation, a game preserve in Southern California.

For a time, Bannock County paid for the care of 42 wolf hybrids. The pack grew to 82 by last December when the animals went to Wherewolves Reserve in Sun City, Ariz.