New York man arrested while trying to sell this leopard

You can search far and wide in New York State and you won’t find a leopard in the wild. Not in Buffalo, Ballston Spa, or Beacon. The only places in New York you can find a leopard are the Bronx Zoo, Seneca Zoo, Staten Island Zoo, etc. So how did one end up in Delaware County?

A person allegedly attempted to sell a full-size leopard taxidermy, which is illegal in New York without a proper permit.

In May 2024, according to a press release from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), DEC officials joined forces with the United Stated Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate the sale of an endangered/protected species.

After their investigation, it was discovered that a taxidermy leopard was being offered for sale through a social media account with a price tag of $2,500. Officials were able to track down the seller and found that he did not have the necessary permits.

Investigators went to the seller’s location during the transaction, which is when officials were able to seize the leopard specimen and charge the author with commercialization of endangered wildlife, a crime given the specimen’s value.

On Monday, July 29, the Delaware County resident settled a charge of illegally marketing endangered species. As part of the settlement, the seller agreed to pay a $2,500 fine and surrender the leopard taxidermy.