DELAWARE COUNTY, NY — A Delaware County, NY, resident on July 29 settled charges related to the illegal commercialization of endangered species, according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement.

In May, environmental conservation police officers collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate a tip about a full-body leopard mount listed for sale on social media for $2,500. Officers identified the seller and determined they did not possess the permits required in New York state to sell the leopard mount.

Officer Dustin Osborne showed up at the seller’s location and during the transaction seized the mount and charged the seller with commercialization of endangered wildlife, a felony because of the value of the mount.

As part of the legal resolution, the seller agreed to pay a $2,500 fine and forfeit the mount.

It is illegal to sell endangered or protected species in New York without the proper permits. For more information on requirements to legally sell mounts or items containing parts of endangered species, visit DEC’s Special Licenses page.