Couple arrested for raising exotic cats in Spain

The Spanish authorities have arrested a couple suspected of selling exotic cats online, including protected species such as white tigers, cougars and blurred leopards.

Civil security police attacked the couple’s home on Mallorca Island after learning that they own and raise rare cat species, which then sell on social media.

In total, 19 cats were found in the property and rescued by agents. They included Karakal, two servants and 16 hybrid cats.

The Civil Guard claims that the discovery is simply the “peak of the iceberg of a plot” of a global criminal organization, including breeders, carriers and veterinarians.

“Most of the offered animals come from countries such as Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to be smuggled in the European Union,” the Guard Guard said.

Authorities said the couple’s social media were “extremely active” as people from other countries contacted them to buy these species of animals.

The animals were smuggled in the EU across the border of Poland with Belarus and were then distributed with false documents, they added.

Europe is the Central Center for Trade in Exotic Wild Animals, and the illegal black market is increasing, according to the International Animal Human Relationship Fund (IFAW).

The couple also advertises other animals through social media, including hyenas, desert linies and cougars.

Krass Leopard – an animal originally from the Himalayas – at a price of 60,000 euros (52,000 pounds; $ 68,000) was also released online.

This raid was part of a wider operation, which began last March. Another person is examined for the sale of various types of exotic animals on the Internet.

The animals are temporarily placed at the Sona Safari Zoo in Majorca. Later, they will be moved to a rescue center near Alicante.

The high demand for exotic cats is fed by social media as cats can be considered as a sign of wealth or status, according to IFAW.

But these cats – which require a lot of space – is difficult to care for.

“They are very aggressive and can pose a danger to humans or other animals,” leading to many people getting rid of them, “said the Spanish Civil Guard.