Argentine authorities seized four taxidermied deer heads from The New Brighton, a historic “bar notable” in Buenos Aires, after the establishment failed to provide legal documentation of their origin. The operation, led by the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Unit (Ufema), targeted pieces including a Marsh deer, which is protected under international trade conventions.
Why were the taxidermy pieces seized from The New Brighton?
Investigators from the Cuerpo de Investigaciones Judiciales and the City Police’s Environmental Crimes Division removed the pieces because the restaurant could not prove legal ownership or provenance. According to judicial sources cited by LA NACION, the seizure followed a complaint that triggered an investigation by Blas Matías Michienzi, head of Ufema.
Because the restaurant is open to the public, investigators did not need a search warrant to conduct the inspection. During the sweep, they identified four specific pieces: one Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), two Fallow deer (Dama dama), and one Axis deer (Axis axis), also known as a spotted deer.
What is the legal difference between the seized deer species?
Not all the seized pieces carry the same legal weight. According to judicial sources, the Fallow and Axis deer are species that can be legally hunted under specific conditions. If the owners eventually present the correct documentation, these pieces could be returned.
The Marsh deer is a different matter. This species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). Sources close to the case told LA NACION that this specific piece is the primary focus of the investigation.
All four pieces fall under the jurisdiction of National Law No. 22.421 for the Conservation of Wild Fauna. While the restaurant remains open and no criminal charges have been filed against the owners yet, the process could lead to economic fines and sanctions.
How does this impact the visual identity of a “Bar Notable”?
The removal of the heads is a significant shift for the establishment’s aesthetic. These pieces were not hidden in a private collection; they were central to the public dining room on Sarmiento street. The taxidermy was so prominent that it appeared in the series Nada, starring Luis Brandoni, and was featured in a December 2024 LA NACION report on the restaurant’s history.
The operation involved a coordinated effort between several agencies:
- The Environmental Brigade of the Buenos Aires Secretary of Environment.
- The General Directorate of Inspection and Control.
- The National Environmental Brigade.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. According to judicial sources, the procedure did not include the closure of the restaurant, and it continues to operate normally.
The Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is the most critical piece because it is protected under the international Cites convention.
The Fallow and Axis deer may be returned if legal documentation is provided. The Marsh deer is the subject of a more intensive investigation.
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