Montana Rancher's Hybrid Sheep Scheme Ends in Legal Trouble

In a tale that sounds straight out of a science fiction novel, 80-year-old Arthur 'Jack' Schubarth, the owner of an "alternative livestock" ranch in Montana, has been caught in a web of legality spun from his own ambitions. Schubarth's innovative yet illegal venture aimed to create a new breed of gigantic hybrid sheep, designed specifically for trophy hunting on his property.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that since 2013, Schubarth embarked on an intricate operation to breed the world's largest sheep species, the Marco Polo sheep, native to Central Asia's mountains. These majestic creatures, known for their impressive size—weighing up to 300 pounds with horns spanning up to 5 feet wide—became the blueprint for Schubarth's hybrid animals.

Through clandestine means, Schubarth smuggled Marco Polo sheep tissue into the U.S., resulting in over 150 cloned embryos developed in a laboratory. These embryos were then implanted into ewes at his ranch, producing a pure genetic Marco Polo argali male, affectionately named 'Montana Mountain King' or MMK. Schubarth's next step involved crossbreeding MMK with his female sheep, aiming to cultivate a formidable hybrid species.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim condemned the scheme as a bold attempt to profit from the sale and hunting of these 'franken-sheep,' highlighting the violations of international law and the Lacey Act—both designed to safeguard the health and viability of native animal populations.

Now facing the consequences of his actions, Schubarth could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison and fined as much as $250,000, marking a stark end to his decade-long endeavor.