An American breeder who attempted to create a hybrid species of giant bighorn sheep by importing genetic material from Central Asia pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating wildlife protection laws.
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Over a period from at least 2013 to 2021, Arthur Schubarth, 80, owner of a ranch in the state of Montana (northwest) intended for raising game for hunting reserves, illegally imported Kyrgyzstan DNA material taken from an Argali mouflon, the world’s largest mountain sheep, for the purpose of illicit cloning and insemination, according to court documents.
From this DNA sample, he had embryos cloned by a genetic laboratory, which he implanted into ewes in his flock, leading to the birth on May 15, 2017 of a male argali mouflon, which he named “Montana Mountain King”, aka MMK, according to the same sources.
With the help of at least five unidentified accomplices, Arthur Schubarth then used MMK semen to inseminate ewes with other species of sheep in order to achieve crossbreeding.
The goal was to create larger and therefore more profitable animals in order to sell them to hunting reserves, particularly in Texas (south), where customers pay to shoot captive game.
“This was a brazen scheme to create a hybrid species of giant sheep to be sold and used as hunting trophies,” said Todd Kim, a Justice Department environmental protection official. and natural resources, in a press release.
The accused “violated both international laws and the Lacey Act, which preserve the viability and health of animal populations in their natural state,” he said.
The Lacey Act prohibits the trade in illegally obtained or fraudulently misrepresented natural products.
Arthur Schubarth pleaded guilty to two counts each carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the Justice Department. His sentencing hearing has been set for July 11.
The Pamir argali mouflon, also called Marco Polo, in homage to the Venetian explorer who met it in the 13th century, is prized for its meat and especially for its enormous spiral horns. Its weight can reach 200 kg for an adult male.
It is internationally protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites) and banned in the state of Montana in order to preserve the local sheep population, specify the American authorities.
