Six arrested after Spanish police seize more than 200 illegally stuffed animals

Police in Spain have arrested six people following the discovery of more than 200 illegally stuffed wild animals.

Officers say online advertisements led them to those behind the illegal taxidermy.

International conventions prohibit the trading of endangered species, but sales on the black market are big business, generating around £70 million each year.

A lion is among the animals that have been illegally stuffed. Credit: Guardia Civil Interior

The raids uncovered tigers, lions and rhinos that had been captured and illegally stuffed.

Police in Alicante seized the specimens of the protected species from illegal workshops over the last month.

An investigation into crimes against wildlife, possession, trafficking and commercialisation of protected species has been launched.