Officers at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales confiscated the tanned hide of a large wild cat.
On Monday, officials referred a motorhome crossing into the U.S. for further agricultural inspection, according to a news release from Customs and Border Protection.
Agricultural inspectors found what appeared to be the pelt of a large spotted cat. The owner told officers he was given the skin by a friend in Mexico.
Agriculture specialists confiscated the skin for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wildlife inspectors determined the pelt is likely that of a large ocelot — a protected species.
The pelt was turned over to the wildllife service.
