Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, an 81-year-old Montana man, was handed a six-month prison sentence for his involvement in a near-decade-long effort to breed giant hybrid sheep. Schubarth's initiative aimed at producing larger sheep hybrids for sale to captive hunting facilities, a venture that violated multiple wildlife protection laws.
Operating out of Vaughn, Montana, Schubarth ran Sun River Enterprises LLC, also known as Schubarth Ranch. This 215-acre facility specialized in the breeding and sale of alternative livestock such as mountain goats and various ungulates with a primary focus on serving the needs of shooting preserves or game ranches. Between 2013 and 2021, Schubarth worked alongside at least five others in an illegal endeavor to crossbreed sheep species into larger variants.
Central to the controversy was the importation of Marco Polo argali sheep parts from Kyrgyzstan without proper declaration—a move that contravened both international and domestic wildlife trade regulations. The argali sheep, known for their massive size and impressive horns, are native to Central Asia's high-altitude regions and are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Schubarth's operation took a darker turn when he attempted to create cloned embryos from these imported argali parts, later implanting them into ewes on his ranch. This resulted in the birth of "Montana Mountain King," a pure genetic male Marco Polo argali. The scheme further involved artificial insemination of other ewe species with MMK’s semen despite state prohibitions against such actions.
The illegal activities extended beyond breeding practices. To facilitate the movement of these prohibited animals across state lines, false veterinary inspection certificates were created. Furthermore, there was an illicit acquisition and transport of genetic material from wild-hunted Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep within Montana—a clear violation of state laws against selling game animal parts.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim emphasized that such flagrant disregard for federal and state law undermines efforts to protect domestic wild animal populations. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich echoed these sentiments, highlighting the greed-driven nature of Schubarth’s conspiracy which posed significant threats to native wildlife species.
Edward Grace from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pointed out that cases like this underscore the critical dangers wildlife trafficking poses to native species and ecosystems. The collaborative efforts between various law enforcement agencies reflect a strong commitment to safeguarding natural heritage against exploitation for personal gain.
As part of his sentence, Schubarth is required to pay fines totaling $24,200 towards environmental conservation funds—serving as both penalty and deterrent against future wildlife crimes. His case stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trafficking and its profound implications on biodiversity conservation efforts nationwide.
Operating out of Vaughn, Montana, Schubarth ran Sun River Enterprises LLC, also known as Schubarth Ranch. This 215-acre facility specialized in the breeding and sale of alternative livestock such as mountain goats and various ungulates with a primary focus on serving the needs of shooting preserves or game ranches. Between 2013 and 2021, Schubarth worked alongside at least five others in an illegal endeavor to crossbreed sheep species into larger variants.
Central to the controversy was the importation of Marco Polo argali sheep parts from Kyrgyzstan without proper declaration—a move that contravened both international and domestic wildlife trade regulations. The argali sheep, known for their massive size and impressive horns, are native to Central Asia's high-altitude regions and are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Schubarth's operation took a darker turn when he attempted to create cloned embryos from these imported argali parts, later implanting them into ewes on his ranch. This resulted in the birth of "Montana Mountain King," a pure genetic male Marco Polo argali. The scheme further involved artificial insemination of other ewe species with MMK’s semen despite state prohibitions against such actions.
The illegal activities extended beyond breeding practices. To facilitate the movement of these prohibited animals across state lines, false veterinary inspection certificates were created. Furthermore, there was an illicit acquisition and transport of genetic material from wild-hunted Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep within Montana—a clear violation of state laws against selling game animal parts.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim emphasized that such flagrant disregard for federal and state law undermines efforts to protect domestic wild animal populations. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich echoed these sentiments, highlighting the greed-driven nature of Schubarth’s conspiracy which posed significant threats to native wildlife species.
Edward Grace from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pointed out that cases like this underscore the critical dangers wildlife trafficking poses to native species and ecosystems. The collaborative efforts between various law enforcement agencies reflect a strong commitment to safeguarding natural heritage against exploitation for personal gain.
As part of his sentence, Schubarth is required to pay fines totaling $24,200 towards environmental conservation funds—serving as both penalty and deterrent against future wildlife crimes. His case stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trafficking and its profound implications on biodiversity conservation efforts nationwide.
