Stunned police have uncovered a secret zoo packed with more than 150 exotic animals from 56 species – including some of the world’s most endangered creatures.
The investigation began after officers spotted an online ad offering protected animals for sale, including Asian small-clawed otters, agoutis and kinkajous.
The same seller also boasted of breeding meerkats, kangaroos and caracals.
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Cops even obtained videos of the suspect with endangered leopards, owls, llamas and ibises.
The man was eventually traced to Spain’s Valencia province, with the illegal zoo discovered on a property in Nules, Castellón, where dozens of cages were found.
A second suspect, aged 35, was also identified.
Neither held a breeder’s permit or zoo licence, as reported by Need To Know.
Raids on properties and warehouses revealed a shocking menagerie: two ring-tailed lemurs, two otters, a Bali myna, a zebra, two servals, toucans, crowned cranes, mongooses, porcupines, macaws, kinkajous and even a dromedary camel.
Among the finds were three macaws – two of which had been reported stolen in Almería.
Spanish Civil Guard said: “According to provisional reports, the estimated economic damage to wildlife internationally exceeds €2m (£1.7m), while the seized specimens have an average market value of nearly €70,000 (£60,000) each.”
Both suspects are accused of trafficking protected species and smuggling.
