A Montana rancher has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a wildlife trafficking scheme involving cloned embryos and sheep testicles to breed hybrid 'giant' sheep for exclusive hunting preserves. 🌍 The case reads like a sci-fi thriller: Arthur 'Jack' Schubarth and associates reportedly used tissue from wild Marco Polo argali sheep—a colossal species native to Central Asia—to create a genetically modified flock sold to Texas hunting ranches where clients pay big bucks to shoot captive trophy animals.
🔍 Court documents reveal the 10-year plot began in 2013. After sourcing biological material from a sheep killed in Kyrgyzstan, Schubarth worked with a lab to clone embryos. One successfully bred sheep, dubbed 'Montana Mountain King,' became the genetic blueprint for a lucrative hybrid species. Using artificial insemination, the group aimed to produce 'super-sized' sheep that could fetch premium prices.
⚖️ The U.S. Justice Department called it a 'blatant violation' of wildlife protection laws. Schubarth now faces up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fines. The case highlights ethical debates around bioengineering animals for profit and raises alarms about black-market wildlife trade.
