SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- For the first time in its history, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's newest animal is a clone that comes with a harrowing journey before being moved to Syracuse.

Named Tilek, the argali is the product of an elaborate wildlife trafficking scheme that made global headlines, Onondaga County leaders said.

The largest wild sheep in the world, argali (also known as mountain sheep) are known for massive, spiraling horns and found in the mountains of Central Asia.

Wildlife conservation authorities seized Tilek from Arthur “Jack” Schubarth in 2021.

Schubarth admitted to creating Tilek by illegally smuggling genetic material of a wild argali from Kyrgyzstan into the United States.

Schubarth and his accomplices conspired to inseminate other species of wild sheep with argali

See Full Page