All articles tagged with #wildlife crime
A PhD student studies Boris the bear’s hair from the 120-year-old taxidermy exhibit at the Museum of Chelmsford to develop a cost-effective alternative to DNA analysis for identifying animal hairs, aiming to help combat wildlife poaching and trafficking by enhancing forensic investigations.
Four people (three Kenyans and one Tanzanian) were arrested as investigators probe the deaths of at least 18 elephants in Amboseli National Park, potentially caused by cyanide poisoning from tomatoes sprayed with illegal pesticides; preliminary tests detected cyanide in crops from the elephants' stomachs, and most victims were adult females and calves, with authorities noting cross-border pesticide smuggling near the Kimana corridor between Amboseli and Tsavo.
A 38-year-old tourist from Covington, Washington, Igor Lytvynchuk, was arrested by NOAA agents for harassing a protected Hawaiian monk seal after a witness recorded him throwing a coconut-sized rock at the seal in Lahaina, Maui. He faces charges under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, with potential penalties of up to one year in prison per count and substantial fines; he’s scheduled to appear in Seattle federal court. The case underscores wildlife-protection enforcement in Hawaii and the community’s ongoing recovery efforts after wildfires.
A Covington, WA man, Igor Lytvynchuk, was charged by criminal complaint on May 12, 2026, for allegedly harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at her head in Maui; he was arrested near Seattle and faces up to one year in prison and fines up to $50,000 (ESA) and $20,000 (MMPA) per charge if convicted. The incident occurred May 5, 2026 in Lahaina; initial appearance is set for May 14, 2026 in the Western District of Washington. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating, with AUSA Michael Nammar prosecuting.
A white-tailed eagle in Newtown, Powys, went missing after its satellite tag was cut off and hidden, prompting police and wildlife authorities to investigate a suspicious disappearance, with efforts to locate the bird ongoing amid concerns over illegal persecution.
Henry, a 10-year-old Springer Spaniel abandoned five times, has won the International Fund for Animal Welfare's Animal of the Year award for his exceptional ability to detect scents related to wildlife crime, aiding police and conservation efforts in protecting birds of prey and other wildlife.
Six individuals, including renowned rhino breeder John Hume, were arrested in South Africa for their involvement in a $14 million rhino horn trafficking scheme, which involved smuggling 964 horns to Southeast Asia over seven years. The investigation highlights South Africa's efforts to combat wildlife crime and protect its natural heritage.
South African authorities arrested six suspects, including former rhino farm owner John Hume, in a major crackdown on a scheme involving nearly 1,000 rhino horns destined for illegal markets in Southeast Asia, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime amid a poaching crisis.
An Indian man was arrested at Chennai airport for attempting to smuggle monkeys and tortoises from Thailand, highlighting ongoing issues with wildlife trafficking that affects thousands of species globally and poses ecological risks. The incident underscores the need for stronger enforcement and international cooperation to combat organized wildlife crime.
80-year-old Arthur "Jack" Schubarth pleaded guilty to genetically engineering giant hybrid sheep over almost a decade, aiming to sell them to hunting facilities, in violation of the Lacey Act. He imported genetic material from the world's largest sheep species, cloned embryos, and artificially impregnated female sheep to create the hybrids. Schubarth faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. The audacious scheme involved forging documents and illegally obtaining genetic material from wild-hunted bighorn sheep, posing a threat to wildlife species in Montana.
Montana rancher illegally created giant hybrid sheep by using genetic material from the threatened Marco Polo argali sheep, selling them for hunting at high prices. Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, 80, pleaded guilty to felony wildlife counts and faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000. He created more than 150 cloned embryos and successfully bred a male Marco Polo argali, selling its offspring for $10,000. Schubarth's scheme violated state and federal laws, potentially threatening the integrity of wildlife species in Montana. He is set to be sentenced on July 11.
Montana rancher Arthur “Jack” Schubarth pleaded guilty to illegally using tissue and testicles from wild sheep to breed “giant” hybrids for sale to private hunting preserves, resulting in felony charges of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to traffic wildlife. Schubarth's audacious scheme involved creating massive hybrid sheep species using cloned embryos and extracted semen, violating the Lacey Act. As part of a plea deal, he agreed to quarantine and potentially neuter the animals, while his ranch, licensed as an alternative livestock facility, remains operational despite hunting being prohibited.
An 80-year-old man in Montana pleaded guilty to wildlife crimes for attempting to create giant hybrid sheep through cloning and illegal insemination, with the intention of selling and hunting them as trophies. He violated international and federal laws by importing parts of the protected Marco Polo argali sheep from Kyrgyzstan and creating cloned embryos. The man faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each felony count and a fine of up to $250,000.
A Washington state man is set to plead guilty to charges related to his involvement in the illegal killing and trafficking of over 3,000 birds, including bald eagles, for their feathers, which are highly prized by Native American tribes for ceremonial use. The man and a co-defendant are accused of selling eagle parts on the black market, with feathers from immature golden eagles being especially valued. The case highlights the ongoing problem of illegal wildlife trafficking and the need for stronger enforcement against buyers to disrupt the market.