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| Couple arrested for breeding exotic cats in Spain | Couple arrested for breeding exotic cats in Spain |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Police say the couple's activities were connected to a larger global trafficking organisation | Police say the couple's activities were connected to a larger global trafficking organisation |
| Spanish authorities have arrested a couple suspected of selling exotic cats online, including protected species such as white tigers, pumas and clouded leopards. | |
| Civil Guard police raided the couple's home on the island of Majorca after learning that they were owning and breeding rare feline species which they then sold on social media. | Civil Guard police raided the couple's home on the island of Majorca after learning that they were owning and breeding rare feline species which they then sold on social media. |
| In total, 19 felines were found on the property and rescued by agents. They included a caracal, two servals and 16 hybrid felines. | In total, 19 felines were found on the property and rescued by agents. They included a caracal, two servals and 16 hybrid felines. |
| The Civil Guard say the discovery was just "the tip of the iceberg of a plot" of a global criminal organisation involving breeders, transporters and vets. | The Civil Guard say the discovery was just "the tip of the iceberg of a plot" of a global criminal organisation involving breeders, transporters and vets. |
| "Most of the animals offered for sale came from countries such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, to be smuggled into the European Union," the Civil Guard said. | "Most of the animals offered for sale came from countries such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, to be smuggled into the European Union," the Civil Guard said. |
| The authorities said the couple's social media was "extremely active" as people from other countries contacted them to purchase these types of animals. | The authorities said the couple's social media was "extremely active" as people from other countries contacted them to purchase these types of animals. |
| The animals were smuggled into the EU through Poland's border with Belarus and then distributed with false documents, they added. | The animals were smuggled into the EU through Poland's border with Belarus and then distributed with false documents, they added. |
| Europe is a central hub for exotic wildlife trade and the illicit black market is on the rise, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). | Europe is a central hub for exotic wildlife trade and the illicit black market is on the rise, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). |
| The couple also advertised other animals through social media including hyenas, desert lynxes and pumas. | The couple also advertised other animals through social media including hyenas, desert lynxes and pumas. |
| White tigers are extremely rare | White tigers are extremely rare |
| A clouded leopard - an animal native to the Himalayas - with a price tag of €60,000 (£52,000; $68,000) was also put up for sale online. | A clouded leopard - an animal native to the Himalayas - with a price tag of €60,000 (£52,000; $68,000) was also put up for sale online. |
| This raid was part of a wider operation which began last March. One other person is being investigated for selling various species of exotic animals on the internet. | This raid was part of a wider operation which began last March. One other person is being investigated for selling various species of exotic animals on the internet. |
| The animals have been temporarily placed at the Son Servera Safari Zoo in Majorca. They may be later relocated to a rescue centre near Alicante, although this is still under discussion. | The animals have been temporarily placed at the Son Servera Safari Zoo in Majorca. They may be later relocated to a rescue centre near Alicante, although this is still under discussion. |
| The high demand for exotic cats is fuelled by social media because the felines can be seen as a sign of wealth or status, according the IFAW. | The high demand for exotic cats is fuelled by social media because the felines can be seen as a sign of wealth or status, according the IFAW. |
| But these cats – which require a lot of space – are difficult to look after. | But these cats – which require a lot of space – are difficult to look after. |
| "They are very aggressive and can pose a danger to people or other animals" which leads to many people getting rid of them, the Spanish Civil Guard said. | "They are very aggressive and can pose a danger to people or other animals" which leads to many people getting rid of them, the Spanish Civil Guard said. |
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