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wildlife as pets

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From: Bobbie Chapman City: Pekin, IL
Can someone who is not a wildlife rehabber keep a wild animal like a raccoon or opossum as a pet and what license do they need?
	Extension Message From: Laura Kammin Visiting Extension Specialist, Pollution Prevention Extension-Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program lkammin@illinois.edu
No, it is illegal for people to keep wildlife as pets per the Illinois Wildlife Code (see below). For more information call Brian Clark with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at (217) 782-6431 and select option 4. "It is unlawful to take, possess, sell, or offer for sale, any such wild birds (dead or alive) and parts thereof (including their nests and eggs), or such wild mammals (dead or alive) and parts thereof, including their green hides, contrary to the provisions of the Illinois Wildlife Code".
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