Phoenix (3TV/CBS 5) — A Phoenix man has been charged after a real tiger cub was put up for sale on social media for $25,000.
Carlos Castro Alcaraz, 25, was arrested Monday after closing a deal to sell a young tiger to an undercover agent for a $20,000 discount, according to Phoenix police. Police then issued a warrant at Castro’s Alcalaz home on Carson Road, near 27th Street and Baseline Road. 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. Phoenix PD 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 arrested for numerous felony wildlife crimes and imprisoned in the Maricopa County Jail. He told officers last week that he bought a tiger cub from another Arizona man for his $8,000, according to court documents. Castro-Alcaraz reportedly bought the man out of pity for the tiger, who was not taking care of it. The animal was then handed over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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. is a primate. But some bizarre and obscure illegal pets on the list are weasels, European hedgehogs, New World porcupines, spider monkeys, woodchucks, sloths, armadillos, Gila monsters, and piranhas.
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