The Spanish Civil Guard seized, this Sunday (10), a collection with 1,090 stuffed animals, the largest of its kind in the country and one of the largest in Europe, in the municipality of Bétera, in the province of Valencia. The approximate value of the copies is more than 29 million euros (R$ 148.8 million).
Of the animals found, 405 belonged to the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which regulates the trade in fauna and flora species, preventing the danger of extinction when the threat is their sale abroad.
Some of the animals are extinct, like the dammah oryx, or nearly extinct, like the addax and the Bengal tiger. Others have levels of protection, such as the cheetah, leopard, lion, lynx, polar bear, and snow leopard and white rhinoceros. In addition, among the pieces found were 198 ivory tusks from elephants.
Operation “Valcites”, which began in November 2021 when agents became aware of a possible private collection, is investigating one person for the crime of smuggling and another for protection of the flora and fauna of the locality.
In the next phase, the authorities will carry out an analysis of the documentation provided by the person in charge to justify the possession of the parts. The case was handed over to the Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 2 of Liria.
Source: CNN Brasil
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