Am I allowed to take an animal I have hit with my car in Norway?
No — you cannot take an animal you have hit, but you must report it. If you hit game such as moose, deer, roe deer or reindeer, you must immediately report to the police on 02800, who alert the municipal wildlife team. You have a duty to help an injured animal under the Animal Welfare Act §4, but you should not euthanise large game yourself if an owner, vet or police can be reached. The hit animal belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund, and you cannot take it. Secure the scene, mark where the animal ran into the forest, and give the position if you can. The collision itself is not a crime, but failing to report it is.
📋 The rules
- You cannot take a hit animal
- Report a wildlife collision to the police on 02800 at once
- Duty to help an injured animal (Animal Welfare Act §4)
- The animal belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund
- Mark where the animal ran into the forest
🔓 Exceptions
- You can euthanise the animal only if it clearly cannot survive and an owner, vet or police cannot be reached
- Necessary costs of helping wildlife are covered by the state, not by you
- Use 112 only in an acute danger to life and health
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The collision itself is not a crime, but failing to report a wildlife collision is punishable. Taking the carcass is unlawful appropriation of municipal property.
📎 Official sources
- Environment Agency · Helping injured wildlife →
- Animal Welfare Act §4 · Lovdata →
- NJFF · Handling a wildlife collision →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I take an animal I have hit?
No. The hit animal belongs to the municipality through the wildlife fund, and you cannot take it.
What must I do if I hit game?
You must immediately report to the police on 02800, who alert the municipal wildlife team.
Do I have a duty to help the animal?
Yes. Under the Animal Welfare Act §4 you have a duty to help an animal that is clearly injured or helpless.
Can I euthanise an injured animal myself?
Only if it clearly cannot survive and an owner, vet or police cannot be reached within reasonable time.
Is it a crime to hit an animal?
The collision itself is not a crime, but failing to report a wildlife collision is punishable.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I take roadkill norway”
- “wildlife collision report police 02800”
- “hit a moose what to do”
- “duty help injured animal”
- “hit animal belongs municipality”
- “fallen game wildlife fund”