Couple arrested for breeding exotic cats in Spain

The Spanish authorities have arrested a couple suspected of exotic cats on the Internet, including protective species such as white tigers, cougars and clouded leopards.

Civil Guard police searched a couple on the Major -Isle House, learning that they possess and bred rare cat species that they then sold on social media.

In total, 19 cat lines were found on the property and rescued by agents. They included Caracal, two semen and 16 hybrid cat.

The Civil Guard states that the opening was simply the “tip of the iceberg of the plot” of the global criminal organization with the participation of livestock breeders, transporters and veterinarians.

“Most of the animals offered for sale have come from countries such as Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, which will be smuggling into the European Union,” the civil guard said.

Authorities said the social media couples were “extremely active” because people from other countries turned to them to buy these types of animals.

The animals were smuggled to the EU across the border of Poland from Belarus, and then distributed fake documents, they added.

Europe is a center for exotic wildlife trading, and the banned black market is growing, according to the International Welfare Fund (IFAW).

The couple also advertised other animals through social media, including hyenas, desert lynx and cougars.

Leopard – animal, a native of the Himalayas – with a price tag of 60,000 euros (52,000 pounds; 68,000 dollars) was also put on sale on the Internet.

This raid was part of a broader operation that began in March last year. Another person is investigated for the sale of different species of exotic animals on the Internet.

Animals were temporarily located at the Son Servera Safari Zoo in Majorca. Later, they will be relocated to a rescue center near Alikante.

According to IFAW, the high demand for exotic cats is fueled by social media, since cat can be seen as a sign of wealth or status.

But these cats – which require a lot of space – is difficult to look after.

“They are very aggressive and can be dangerous for humans or other animals,” which leads to many people, said the Spanish Civil Guard.