Phoenix (Arizona family/Gray News) — A Phoenix man is indicted after a real tiger cub went up for sale on social media for $25,000.
Carlos Castro Alcaraz, 25, was arrested Monday after a deal was struck to sell a young tiger to an undercover agent for a $20,000 discount, Phoenix police said.
Police later issued a warrant at Castro Alcaraz’s home. In addition to the tiger, an American alligator and dozens of soft-shelled turtles were also seized.
“I heard a tiger moaning behind me. I know something is not right,” said the sergeant. Brian Bauer. “I don’t know if there are larger rings in exotic animals. This is definitely just the tip of the iceberg as a potential possibility, but our detectives are looking into it and there is a larger ring behind this.” I would like to identify if there is a plan.
Castro-Alcaraz was incarcerated in Maricopa County Jail for multiple felony wildlife crimes. He told officers last week that he bought a tiger cub from another Arizona man for his $8,000, according to court documents.
The suspect reportedly said the man hadn’t taken care of the animal and said he bought it because he felt bad for the tiger.
According to the Arizona Code of Games and Fish, there is a long list of animals that are illegal to own unless you have the proper license or permit. Primates. Others include weasels, European hedgehogs, New World porcupines, spider monkeys, woodchucks, sloths, armadillos, Gila monsters, and piranhas.
Phoenix police rescued a tiger cub, claiming the man was trying to sell it on social media. (Fenghuang Police Station)
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