The department requested that Braastad transfer all restricted wildlife in her possession to the department, including two Harris’ hawks, a red-tailed hawk, an American kestrel falcon and a bobcat.
The department, as the trustee of all of Arizona’s wildlife, took these actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of the wildlife in Braastad’s custody. The department believes her failure to meet the minimum care and captivity standards required of special license holders poses an immediate threat to the wildlife held at her facility. During an administrative inspection in December 2014, department staff noted numerous hazardous conditions and wildlife requiring veterinary treatment.
“All wildlife held under special license is the property of the state and subject to surrender at the department’s request,” said Raul Vega, Tucson regional supervisor for Game and Fish. “The Arizona Game and Fish Department relies heavily on its network of wildlife rehabilitators throughout the state, but the department has a trust responsibility to ensure that wildlife is housed in appropriate enclosures and receives any necessary medical treatment as required by state policy.”
The Center is disputing the matter. According to its statement, Braastad “has been working extensively with the new staff at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to meet or exceed a new set of standards required for continued wildlife holding permits. Facility alterations and improvements take both time and money neither of which the agencies issuing the permits supply.”
The Center claims that while AZGFD has asserted that Forever Wild did not allow full inspection of the rehabilitation facility Braastad lives on the property and one of her volunteers denied AZGFD representatives access to portions of her private residence.
Officials say that action was taken after multiple repeat violations were documented in a December 2014 inspection of Braastad’s facility.
In order to possess or handle most live native and/or restricted wildlife in Arizona, a special license is required. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/eservices/special_licenses.shtml.