'Joe Exotic' Sentenced to 22 Years for Murder-For-Hire, Wildlife Violations
U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing credited "countless hours of detailed investigative work by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service" and FBI for a strong sentence last week against the man known as "Joe Exotic." He was sentenced to 22 years in prison after a federal jury convicted him of two counts of murder-for-hire, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act.
Invasive Chinese Mitten Crabs Credit: USFWS
Service Wildlife Inspectors Crack Down on the Illegal Mitten Crab Trade
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife inspectors have prevented the illegal and potentially harmful import of approximately 15,000 live Chinese mitten crabs as part of a law enforcement operation codenamed Hidden Mitten. Chinese mitten crabs are one of North America’s most invasive species and pose a serious threat to humans and the environment. Recent studies estimate that the economic cost of combating invasive species in the United States is approximately $120 billion per year.
This 2019-20 Duck Stamp featuring a wood duck and decoy illustrates one type of hunting-related element that artists may incorporate into future stamp designs. Credit: © USFWS
Service Proposes Changes to the Duck Stamp to Celebrate the Conservation Achievements of Waterfowl Hunters
Over the past century, waterfowl hunters have helped create and conserve millions of acres of wetland habitat that not only provide places for a wide diversity of wildlife to thrive, but also help in flood control and water purification efforts, and create significant economic stimulus for rural communities. The Service today proposed to celebrate these hunters' remarkable achievements and our unique American hunting heritage with a permanent change to the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp.
News Release »
Learn more about the Duck Stamp »
Draft Proposed Rule »
Final Rule 
Proposed Rule 
Notice
