Tucson game and fish agents seized a bobcat, deer and javelina that were being kept as pets, officials said.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department learned in June that Tucson residents illegally took the animals captive approximately a year ago, while they were young, and raised them as pets, said department spokesman Mark Hart.
The mule deer buck was taken to the AZGFD Wildlife Center in Phoenix for treatment, then will be moved to Bearizona in Williams, Hart said.
The bobcat was placed at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the javelina taken to Scottsdale's Wildlife Conservation Center.
Capturing and keeping young wildlife is illegal, as well as being a public safety hazard, Hart said.
"In the majority of cases, it is best to leave all baby wildlife alone," said AZGFD Regional Supervisor Raul Vega. "People’s desire to help seemingly abandoned animals can have unintended negative consequences,"
Without the benefit of learning from their parents, baby animals have a greatly reduced chance of survival if they are released back into the wild.
Unless obviously injured, baby mammals should be left where they are and untouched. Although they might look orphaned, baby animals are usually left alone by their mothers while they forage for food and water, Hart said.
If a baby animal is immobile and at immediate risk for injury, they can be moved to a safe location that provides appropriate cover, as the mother will likely find the baby by smell or hearing if people and pets stay away.
