Civil Guard agents from Spain's Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) have seized a stuffed African lion in Castelldefels (Barcelona) which was up for sale on a second-hand website for almost 6000€.
The investigation began back in July when agents discovered that the stuffed lion was being advertised for sale on the website by someone in Castelldefels for 5.995€.
The agents made telephone contact with the seller to arrange an appointment to verify its existence, and at the beginning of August they went to the owner's house and confirmed that it was a stuffed adult male African lion which had been preserved in perfect condition by a taxidermist.
This species of lion is classified as under serious threat by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and thus trade is strictly controlled.
The owner said her father-in-law (now deceased) hunted the lion in Namibia in the 90s and had kept it in a storage room at home.
A lawsuit has been initiated against the owner for alleged crimes against protected wildlife and trade in endangered species.
The lion was taken away for analysis and verification, after which it will find a temporary home in the Castell Dels Tres Dragons, part of the Natural History Museum in Barcelona, where it will be on show for anyone who wants to see it.
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