Regardless of how cute and fuzzy they are when little, wild animals do not make good pets, especially large wild animals. You can’t domesticate a wild animal just because you catch it when it’s a baby. Neutering might help but down deep they are still wild. I’m sure there have been exceptions but it’s not worth the risk.
This also applies to all large animals, even domesticated animals, during breeding season. I had a 2,000 pound Beefmaster bull that was a pet but when the cows came in heat you’d better stay out of the pasture. Any other time we could ride him, brush him and do anything with him but during breeding season he was a terror.
Your response is fascinating. I wonder what would happen if you took a wild animal raised in captivity as a “pet” and bred it only with other wild animals raised in the same manner. If you did that for several generations, would the wildness be bred out?
I had a Doberman Pinscher that came from a long line of domesticated Dobermans. He was a wonderful, wonderful pet, companion, and friend. But, when push came to shove, genetics won out, and Baron was still a Dobie.
We have a forest preserve nearby with a gang of rogue deer. Every year during rutting season, they kill one, maybe two people- usually hobos or a college kid who had too much to drink. Last week they cornered a bear and ate him.