I collect things. I dont have a particular focus other than things of nature. But I have rules about what I collect, and the one which is most important to me is I do not kill something to collect it. I would also accept farm/hand raised items (such as feathers from an ostrich farm) or legally hunted items for collection.
That said, this story bothers me on several levels. After a lengthy investigation, after the money spent, and the estimated black market value of the items that were exchanged, the penalty does not reflect the crimes committed.
"Kojima was arrested at Los Angeles airport on July 31, 2006. He pleaded guilty to 17 charges related to the sale and smuggling of endangered butterflies. This April, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison and fined $38,731."
U.S. finally nets global butterfly smuggler
I think he will do about 18 months, maybe less. I would imagine if this was dead tigers, or dead gorillas, his sentence would have been longer. With a penalty as low as this, there seems to be a good chance of him re-offending once he is released.
