Additional Coverage:
Majorca Cat Smugglers Nabbed in International Exotic Animal Trafficking Ring
Spanish authorities busted a couple in Majorca suspected of running an online exotic cat trafficking ring, seizing 19 felines including white tigers, pumas, and several other protected species. The suspects, reportedly Russian, are believed to have bred desert lynxes and servals, along with hybrids created by crossing wild cats with domestic ones.
This Majorcan operation uncovered a much larger international network, involving breeders, transporters, and even veterinarians, spanning from Russia and Belarus through Poland and into the EU. The animals, often accompanied by forged documentation, were advertised on social media platforms, with a clouded leopard allegedly offered for a staggering $68,000. A caracal, two servals, 16 hybrid felines, and over 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus, and China were also seized.
Authorities warn that the trend of breeding and keeping exotic cats as pets, particularly prevalent in Russia and Ukraine, is spreading. These animals require significant space and can be dangerous, leading some owners to abandon them.