Trove of wild skins and skulls seized in Australia

Orangutan, lion and bear skulls were among hundreds of illegal wildlife products seized in a raid on a property in Sydney, the Australian environment department said on Thursday.

Investigators also discovered the skins of a lynx and an Alaskan wolf, as well as numerous other skulls and pieces of ivory, in the haul of almost 400 items.

"Operation Bonaparte is one of the largest wildlife seizures in Australia, and follows detailed monitoring and investigative work by departmental officers," department spokeswoman Deb Callister said.

The raid at a house in the suburb of Parramatta on Wednesday also uncovered a variety of weapons, including two walking canes containing hidden swords, flick knives and cross bows.

A 41-year-old man was charged with weapons offences and is due to appear in court on August 31. No charges have yet been laid over the wildlife stash.

Trade in many of the items that were discovered in the property is strictly regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Offences can carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

Mounties hunt suspect in brutal assault

Mounties in British Columbia are working with police forces nationwide on a manhunt for a man suspected of a brutal assault, officials say.

David Wesley Bobbitt, 35, is charged with the attempted murder of a 22-year-old woman who was found Sunday morning, tied up and savagely beaten inside of Bobbitt's second-hand store, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The woman's 2-year-old child was discovered nearby, unharmed.

Police say the woman entered the Penticton, British Columbia, store sometime Saturday morning and was forced into confinement until she was discovered at 3 a.m. Sunday. Bobbitt had fled the scene.

British Columbia mounted police were working with police agencies across Canada in case Bobbitt attempts to leave British Columbia.

"With national attention on this case, given its brutality, it's going to be pretty difficult for Mr. David Wesley Bobbitt to move anywhere, and certainly we're making every effort to locate this man," said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

Police said they were interested in talking to anyone who may have been in Bobbitt's store, Dave's Second Hand Store, Saturday.

"We might even have had customers that may have been into the store prior to this woman entering, so we're looking at establishing a timeline as to what exactly occurred on Saturday," Moskaluk said.

The woman was hospitalized with serious injuries but was expected to recover, the report said.