- 19 exotic animals rescued including servals and caracals
- 40+ falsified passports from 3 continents discovered
- Suspects offered big cats for €60,000 via social media
- Hybrid breeding program linked to Eastern European demand
Spanish authorities have struck a major blow against illegal wildlife trafficking with the arrest of two individuals operating an exotic feline smuggling hub in Mallorca. During a 14-month investigation, Civil Guard officers uncovered a sophisticated operation breeding serval-cat hybrids and forging international animal passports.
The raid in Manacor revealed 19 distressed animals kept in inadequate conditions, including three species classified as vulnerable. Forensic analysis of seized documents showed passport counterfeiting patterns matching previous wildlife crime cases in Barcelona and Málaga. This marks Spain's third major exotic animal seizure in 2024 alone.
Dark web monitoring data shows a 140% increase in Spanish exotic pet sales since 2020, with Mallorca becoming a key transit point. Unlike traditional trafficking routes through Eastern Europe, this ring exploited Mediterranean tourism channels. Investigators found evidence of buyers from Germany and Switzerland arranging pickups during vacation visits.
Veterinary experts warn that hybrid breeding creates unpredictable health risks. The rescued felines showed signs of nutritional deficiencies and stress disorders. As Spain tightens its Animal Welfare Law (Ley 17/2021), this case highlights challenges in regulating cross-border exotic pet commerce through social platforms.
The operation's success follows Spain's €2.3 million investment in wildlife crime task forces last year. Similar recent busts in Hamburg (March 2024) and Marseille (January 2024) suggest coordinated EU action against the €42 billion global exotic animal trade.