Endangered species recovered by Guardia Civil

GUARDIA CIVIL in Huelva rescued five wolves and an American Red lynx which were being held by a contraband network trafficking with endangered species. The operation, codenamed ‘Wild Life’ was carried out in several locations in Spain with the collaboration of officers from Granada, Malaga, Guadalajara and Oviedo, resulting in the arrests of four people.

The investigation began in January, in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, when a wolf, a ferret and a harrier where found at a private home.

The people charged contacted each other via specialized internet forums and e-mail, sending the animals they sold for between €600 and €1,000 by courier service after receiving payment via bank transfer or money order.

The animals remain where they were found by judicial resolution, except one of the wolves which was sent to a centre for animal recovery.

Four people are charged with dealing with protected species and two with document falsification.