March 14th 2024.
In a small town in Montana, an 80-year-old rancher named Arthur Schubarth caused quite a stir when he was caught illegally purchasing the world's largest sheep. But this was no ordinary purchase - Schubarth had a grand plan in mind. He wanted to breed a massive, mutant hybrid sheep that would fetch a high price in the private shooting reserves. But little did he know, his actions would land him in a courtroom facing serious charges.
According to prosecutors, Schubarth had conspired with at least five others to illegally obtain tissue and testicles from the protected Marco Polo argali sheep from Kyrgyzstan. These wild sheep, known for their impressive size and horn span, were hunted by wealthy hunters in Central Asia. And Schubarth saw an opportunity to capitalize on these rare and valuable parts.
On Tuesday, Schubarth appeared in court and pleaded guilty to charges of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to traffic wildlife. It was revealed that he had been using his 215-acre ranch to purchase, sell, and breed what he called "alternative livestock" - mountain sheep, mountain goats, and other ungulates. But his ultimate goal was to sell the hybrid sheep species, bred with the Marco Polo argali sheep, to private shooting reserves where people would pay top dollar to hunt trophy animals.
The court learned that Schubarth could face up to five years in prison and a hefty fine for each count. But what stood out the most was his audacious plan to create a massive hybrid sheep species. The assistant attorney general, Todd Kim, described it as a "scheme" that violated international law and the Lacey Act, which protects native animal populations.
However, it wasn't just about the money for Schubarth. He was determined to create the ultimate hybrid sheep, which he called the "Montana Mountain King." He had used the banned sheep's genetic material to create cloned embryos, which he implanted into his own ewes. And eventually, one pure genetic male Marco Polo sheep was born, weighing over 145kg and standing at a towering 125cm.
But Schubarth didn't stop there. He also illegally bought genetic material from the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, another protected species, and sold it to buyers in other states. This not only put these rare animals at risk but also threatened the integrity of the wildlife in Montana.
The head of state wildlife enforcement, Ron Howell, expressed concern over the impact Schubarth's actions could have on the local species. And it seems that his actions have finally caught up with him. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, and he could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count.
In the meantime, Schubarth took to social media to express his financial struggles, claiming that he hasn't been able to sell sheep for three years. It's a stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle he was trying to lead with his illegal activities. But justice must be served, and the consequences of his actions could not only affect his own life but also the precious wildlife of Montana.
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