A Kansas exotic-animal keeper featured in this 2000 story in the Topeka Capitol-Journal has pleaded guilty to buying an endangered black leopard kitten from an undercover agent, federal prosecutors said.
From the U.S. attorney's office in Kansas:
John E. Shirey, 59, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation and sale of an endangered species.
“All forms of leopard are endangered species and the trade in such species is heavily regulated by federal law and international treaty,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. “Federal jurisdiction attaches if the animals are sold in interstate commerce.”
Maximum sentence: 5 years in federal prison, $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for June 23.
Wildlife center officials objected to operations like Shirey's after the 2000 article.
Photo from http://animals.timduru.org/dirlist/leopard/BlackLeopard10-Panther.jpg
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