The owner of the store Natur pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to violating the Lacey and Endangered Species Acts by illegally importing wildlife items.
Natur sells bones, framed insects, taxidermy and other items online and at its Midvale storefront. Ducklings preserved under a glass dome and bows made from the skin of cane toads are among its inventory.
The owner of Natur admitted he imported about 1,500 wildlife items from Indonesia between 2015 and 2020, according to the United States Department of Justice. He declared only three packages to government officials, a news release states.
Some of the animal species that were imported, including a flying fox and monitor lizard, require a permit to import because of regulations on the trade of threatened and endangered animals. International trade of lizard skins has been cited as a major threat to monitor lizards.
The store will pay at least $5,000 in fines, and its owner will pay at least $23,101, the news release states. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4.
