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Trafficking & Smuggling Endangered Or Protected Species

hunck

Antediluvian
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Jul 13, 2011
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A huge collection of more than 1,000 endangered stuffed animals has been discovered in a warehouse in Spain.

The country’s national police force Guardia Civil revealed the private taxidermy haul is one of the largest ever to be found in Europe, and is worth a whopping £24 million on the black market.

It includes 405 animals from protected species and at least one extinct specimen, the authorities believe.
A cheetah, lion and polar bear were just some of the rare species hidden in an industrial warehouse near Valencia, extending more than 50,000 square metres, on the outskirts of the small town of Bétera.

Footage and pictures released by authorities show 198 large ivory elephant tusks lined up in an eerie corridor, and walls covered with heads of white antelopes.

Latest estimates cited by the Smithsonian say one pound of ivory is worth £1,150, and tusks can weigh up to 250 pounds.
Investigators also found at least two nearly extinct species including the ‘screwhorn antelope’ from the Sahara Desert and the Bengal tiger.
Video at link.

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Husband and wife arrested trying to sell jaguar cub

Also a Margay cub. In Texas.

Rafael Gutierrez-Galvan, 29, and his wife Deynira Garza, 28, were both charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the Big Cat Public Safety Act for attempting to traffic exotic cats in August and September.

On August 24, Gutierrez-Galvan first met with an undercover agent from the Department of Homeland Security in a parking lot of an Academy Sports and Outdoors store in McAllen, Texas.

He sold what appeared to be a small, spotted kitten to the agent for $7,500. Experts identified the cat as a margay cub, a small cat native to South and Central America.
After he was arrested, Gutierrez-Galvan told federal agents that he was self-employed and ‘buys and sells animals’ for a living. He admitted he was delivering a ‘wild cat,’ but claimed he thought the first animal was a ‘Persian cat.’

Garza also confirmed that her husband was a wildlife trafficker, and admitted she occasionally assisted him by handling animals and acting as a translator.

Gutierrez-Galvan and Garza were both arraigned at the federal courthouse in McAllen on Wednesday, September 27. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.
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Husband and wife arrested trying to sell jaguar cub

Also a Margay cub. In Texas.

Rafael Gutierrez-Galvan, 29, and his wife Deynira Garza, 28, were both charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the Big Cat Public Safety Act for attempting to traffic exotic cats in August and September.

On August 24, Gutierrez-Galvan first met with an undercover agent from the Department of Homeland Security in a parking lot of an Academy Sports and Outdoors store in McAllen, Texas.

He sold what appeared to be a small, spotted kitten to the agent for $7,500. Experts identified the cat as a margay cub, a small cat native to South and Central America.

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They were trying to palm the margay off as a jag?
 
They were trying to palm the margay off as a jag?
Don’t think so - they sold the Margay as a Persian Cat. At least that was the cover story..

From the report I think they were busted before they could sell the Jaguar.
 
Don’t think so - they sold the Margay as a Persian Cat. At least that was the cover story..

From the report I think they were busted before they could sell the Jaguar.
Ah,the headline is misleading :hahazebs:
 
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