Large collection of mounted and stuffed wildlife animals seized at Port of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Customs officials at the Port of Los Angeles have seized what they call the largest shipment of mounted and stuffed wildlife animals.
Officials said Wednesday that 30 pieces, including a stuffed alligator, gazelle, wildebeest and several horns and antlers, were worth about $9,000. The specimens were confiscated July 23 because they lacked proper exporting permits.
The Daily Breeze reports (http://bit.ly/1syHJrd ) the items were purchased by a 44-year-old tourist from the Philippines, who told investigators he went on a shopping spree across several states and was unaware of the export requirements.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife investigators were working to trace the items back to suppliers and sellers to determine whether any criminal activity might be involved. Four items in the collection are protected species.
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