CT SB00925

Prohibits the import, possession, sale, and transport of "big six African species" in Connecticut: African elephant, lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, and giraffe, including any parts, products, or offspring (excluding fossils), effective October 1, 2021

Exempts specimens owned before the effective date if registered within 180 days, items held by tax-exempt museums/educational/scientific institutions, specimens for research, items in taxidermy for 14 days or less, and inherited items with proper registration

Exempts zoological institutions, circuses with live animals, licensed motion picture/television/digital media productions, ivory transactions, and activities authorized by federal law or permit

Establishes escalating penalties: first offense is an infraction (with good faith exception), second offense after infraction is a class B misdemeanor, subsequent offenses are class D felonies

Authorizes law enforcement to seize and hold specimens pending prosecution, with forfeiture and destruction required upon conviction (excluding living specimens)