Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is emphasizing the importance of keeping exotic pets properly contained after officers find an escaped pet porcupine in Knoxville.

The porcupine had escaped from its enclosure and was found yesterday (Wednesday) by TWRA officers, who took it to Young Williams Animal Center.

While no permit is required for Class 3 animals, such as porcupines, it is very important for exotic pet owners to keep them properly contained because Tennessee is not their natural habitat, and escaped pets can disrupt the environment.  Also, they  could harm or be harmed by native wildlife or domestic pets and releasing any class of wildlife is illegal under state law.