Couple Arrested in Spain for Illegal Breeding of Exotic Cats

Spanish Civil Guard authorities have apprehended a couple suspected of unlawfully breeding and selling exotic cats, including endangered species like white tigers and pumas, in a notable raid on Majorca island.

In a recent operation, Spanish authorities arrested a couple believed to be part of a larger international trafficking network involved in the illegal sale of exotic cats. The Guardia Civil conducted a raid on their home on the island of Majorca, where they discovered 19 exotic felines, including a caracal, two servals, and 16 hybrid breeds.

The Civil Guard reported that the couple had been utilizing social media platforms to advertise and sell these rare animals, making connections with potential buyers across various countries. The agents expressed concern, indicating that the couple's operations were merely "the tip of the iceberg" in a broader scheme entangled with multiple breeders, transporters, and veterinarians linked to global wildlife trafficking.

According to the Civil Guard, many of the animals for sale were smuggled into the European Union from countries such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, making their way into markets across Europe. These smuggling operations often employed deceitful documentation, with routes entering through Poland’s border with Belarus.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) highlighted the rising illicit trade in exotic wildlife in Europe, particularly through social media channels that inflate the demand for exotic animals, often as status symbols. These felines, however, pose significant challenges for care due to their space needs and aggressive natures, frequently leading to abandonment by former owners.

Included in the raid was a clouded leopard listed for €60,000, along with other exotic animals such as hyenas and desert lynxes, further illustrating the extensive scope of the couple’s operations. The rescued exotic cats have been temporarily relocated to Son Servera Safari Zoo and will soon be moved to a rehabilitation center in Alicante.

One additional individual is also under investigation concerning assorted exotic animal sales on the internet, as this operation continues to unravel the scope of illegal wildlife trafficking in the region.