In late December, Congress passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act. The law bans the controversial practice of"cub-petting," or letting members of the public touch and hold cubs of tigers, lions, leopards and more. It also bans new private ownership of big cats as pets — meaning current owners can keep their animals but must register them with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Tim Harrison, a retired police officer who has worked for decades as an exotic animal specialist, has investigated a number of cases of exotic animals used for cub-petting or TV appearances that would later go missing. When it comes to owning big cats, states varied on permit requirements, and at least three states required no permit at all.
Some of these animals aren't just bred and traded between zoos and pet owners; they might also be bred to be hunted, which is fully legal even if they're an endangered species. It isn't subject to state regulations, and the exotic animals can be hunted year-round, all for a price.