What Animal Taxidermy Is Illegal To Own In California Today

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) – A San Jose woman has been fined $3,600 and sentenced to 300 hours of community service and iii years of probation, after an international investigation uncovered dozens of illegal blimp wild fauna in her apartment.

The investigation began in June 2014, when state officials were tipped off by a French wild animals officer almost the unlawful sale of a barn owl to a California buyer on eBay. The barn owl is a protected species in France, and officials were able to eventually trace the eBay account back to 42-year-old Dora Martha Jimenez Zepeda of San Jose.

When state authorities searched Zepeda'south one-bedroom apartment, they found everything from a stuffed ocean turtle to a full-sized African lion. All told, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers, with the help of officers from the U.South. Fish and Wild fauna Service institute more than than 50 blimp and mounted animals.

Zepeda told KPIX five that she had no idea her dear of animals and fascination with exotic taxidermy from around the world would atomic number 82 her afoul of the police force.

"They told me, the [officers], it'south illegal to purchase in California, merely later on," Zepeda said. "Outset time, they never told me."

San Jose Taxidermy - Stuffed Lion — Stuffed lion plant in Dora Martha Jimenez Zepeda's San Jose apartment. (CBS)

"A very significant and extensive investigation on this," said Don Kelly with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He said some of the species found in the flat were either threatened or endangered. "Yous practice go these people who are collectors of these types of critters. Some people have some amazing collections, admitting illegal."

Zepeda pleaded no contest to one count of violating Fish and Game Code, section 3503.v, the unlawful possession of birds of prey. She also forfeited several taxidermied animals that are illegal to possess in California. She was allowed to go on other mounts not prohibited by land or federal police force.

Zepeda said she purchased nigh of her taxidermy from eBay and denies having killed any of the wildlife herself.

Kelly said the illegal commercialization of wild animals in the country of California from a monetary standpoint is 2d only to the illegal drug sales that occur in the land.