Montana Rancher Pleads Guilty to Wildlife Trafficking for Cloning Giant Hybrid Sheep

Arthur Schubarth faces sentencing for creating and selling endangered sheep hybrids to hunting preserves, in violation of international and federal laws.

Arthur Schubarth, an 80-year-old Montana rancher, pleaded guilty to wildlife trafficking for creating giant hybrid sheep using endangered Marco Polo argali sheep genetic material.
Schubarth's scheme involved cloning and breeding hybrids to sell to hunting preserves, violating international and federal laws.
The hybrid sheep, including one named 'Montana Mountain King,' were sold for up to $10,000 each to private hunting facilities.
Schubarth and co-conspirators forged veterinary certificates and trafficked sheep parts illegally into the U.S. from Kyrgyzstan.
Sentencing for Schubarth is scheduled for July 11, with each felony count carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.