(1) A person may not knowingly and without lawful authority import, transport, or release a live species of wildlife that the person knows is listed as threatened or endangered, or is a candidate to be listed under the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., with the intent to establish the presence of that species in an area of the state not currently known to be occupied by a reproducing population of that species.
(2) A person who violates Subsection (1) is guilty of a third degree felony.