The Spanish Civil Guard reported on April 14 the arrest of two individuals involved in a criminal organization selling wild cats online, including protected species. This announcement followed a police operation conducted on Mallorca.
During the operation, two suspects were arrested, and an investigation was launched against another person connected to the illegal sale of various exotic animal species online.
“A total of 19 felines were found, including: a pure caracal, two pure servals, and 16 hybrid cats of various degrees of hybridization and species,” the Civil Guard said. The investigation revealed that the arrested individuals were part of an international trafficking ring that involved other protected animal species, including white tigers, black leopards, pumas, hyenas, and more. “Most of the animals for sale came from countries such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, with the aim of smuggling them into the European Union,” the statement added.
Spanish authorities indicated that the animals were illegally exported through Belarus to Poland before being smuggled into the EU using counterfeit documents. One animal could fetch as much as 60,000 euros on the black market.
Under the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to which the European Union is a signatory, felines and their hybrids up to the fourth generation are classified as protected species.
