Who Needs Government Research Permits?

Everyone who captures, handles, or transports plants, animals, or microorganisms in Costa Rica for scientific study must register their project, obtain government wildlife service (MINAE) research permits, and submit biannual reports to the government on their work. Anyone collecting plant samples or capturing wild animals for teaching purposes or scientific research (pollinia or scat samples, re-capture, etc.) must pay an additional fee for a collecting carnet or license, even if specimens are later released. Collecting permits must be obtained even for purely observational research if it is to be carried out in a national park. Research and the related collecting permits (if needed) are valid for up to 6 months, and can be renewed. The export of wildlife from Costa Rica for scientific purposes also requires one or more government export permits.