Alert – ‘Wildlife trafficker’ discovered holding at least 100 animals including exotic giant birds and prairie dogs in cramped basement of his Long Island home

A Long Island man has been hit with 30 violations and fined thousands of dollars after more than 100 animals were discovered in his basement. 

The collection of exotic and endangered species included a young South American rhea (a large bird resembling an ostrich), an endangered tiger salamander, prairie dogs and a variety of lizards, snakes and turtles.

Multiple law enforcement agencies raided Matthew Spohrer’s North Bellmore’s home on Tuesday night finding the animals in the property’s basement and backyard. 

The collection of exotic and endangered species included a a young South American rhea

An endangered tiger salamander was found at the Long Island home 

Authorities also seized a peacock, a giant African snail and a North American opossum, as well as a pair of prairie dogs

‘The illicit wildlife trade is one of the largest sources of criminal earnings, behind only arms smuggling and drug trafficking. But the animals pay the price,’ John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island said. 

‘He actually said that he ordered the rhea on Ebay as an egg when he was drunk. This was a stupid mistake,’ Di Leonardo explained. 

‘[Spohrer’s] been seen and photographed numerous times with this rhea in public, taking it to the fair, train stations, pet stores.’ 

Also among the discoveries were wo peafowls and scores of chickens domestic ducks and geese, Humane Long Island detailed in a Facebook post. 

Authorities also seized an endangered tiger salamander, a giant African snail and a North American opossum, as well as a pair of prairie dogs, an Asian water monitor, a Savannah monitor, a Sulcata tortoise and multiple degus, the organization said. 

‘Baby quails certainly don’t belong housed right next to lizards and snakes causing them extreme stress,’ Di Leonardo said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies raided Matthew Spohrer’s North Bellmore’s home on Tuesday night

John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island spoke out about the alleged wildlife trafficking 

According to Humane Long Island, people spotted Spohrer and his illegal menagerie at the annual Bellmore Family Street Festival.

‘He was charging people to go into a tent to see these animals and pet some of them,’ Di Leonardo explained. 

Adding: ‘Simply speaking, wild animals are not pets.’

All of the rescued animals will be heading to animal sanctuaries able to care for them.