"It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing - rather than just one or two stars."
-David Attenborough
Questions? Email me, Ronak Sathyanarayana, at ronaks@goanimals.org.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Illegal Wildlife Trade Captured

An internet sting called "Operation Cyberwild" was connected to a dozen people in California and Nevada. They were suspected of selling endangered and protected species. Agents disguised as buyers on Craigslist, eBay, and other online stores. People found animal skin rugs, an elephant foot, a polar bear pelt, and numerous live animals. The California Fish and Game, the US Fish and Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the US helped stop this. Three people face California State Charges, and nine people face Federal Charges. They could face six months in prison, and fines up to $100,000.

List of Sold Items


  • a pair of Loggerhead sea turtle leather boots.




    • George Lovell, 49, of Las Vegas was arrested for allegedly selling a pair of Loggerhead sea turtle leather boots for $1,000. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as






  •  leopard skin coat.






    • Lisa Naumu, 49, of San Diego was arrested for allegedly selling an $8,000 leopard skin coat. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in Neva




  • a rug made out of an endangered tiger.




    • Victor Northrop, 48, of Henderson, Nevada was arrested for allegedly selling a rug made out of an endangered tiger for $10,000. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California,




  • a live Western Scrub-Jay.






    • Karla Trejo, 42, of Sherman Oaks was arrested for allegedly selling a live Western Scrub-Jay for $185. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individua




  • an Asian arowana.










  • two live Red-whiskered Bulbul birds.






    • Henry Dao, 41, of Garden Grove was arrested for allegedly selling two live Red-whiskered Bulbul birds for $1,750. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as tw




  • a Hawksbill sea turtle shell.








    • Kamipeli Piuleini, 35, of Torrance was arrested for allegedly selling a Hawksbill sea turtle shell. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals


  • three birds, including a Eurasian kestrel and a Black-shouldered Kite, for $150



    • Tyler Homesley, 24, of Ramona was arrested for allegedly selling three birds- including two protected migratory birds, a Eurasian kestrel and a Black-shouldered Kite- for $150. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation th




  • an elephant's foot, a mounted hawk and a mounted owl.





    • Alfredo Vazquez, 50, of Montebello was arrested for allegedly selling an elephant's foot. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in Nevada.



    Alfredo Vazquez, 50, of Montebello was arrested for allegedly selling a mounted hawk. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in Nevada.Alfredo Vazquez, 50, of Montebello was arrested for allegedly selling a mounted owl. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in Nevada.



  • a bear skin rug.





    • James I. Colburn, 66, of Leona Valley was arrested for allegedly selling a bear skin rug. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in Nevada.




  • a live piranha.







    • Blake William Diekman, 27, of South Pasadena was arrested for allegedly selling a live piranha. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in N
    Blake William Diekman, 27, of South Pasadena was arrested for allegedly selling a live piranha. The arrests are a result of Operation Cyberwild, a task force investigation that led to the arrests of 10 people in California, as well as two individuals in N
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