Spanish police recently conducted a raid on an unlicensed animal shelter, rescuing hundreds of exotic animals that were illegally imported. Among the rescued animals are tortoises, iguanas, geckos, and other rare species. According to the Civil Guard, the shelter was set up by a non-governmental organization that raised donations on social media to care for the animals. The organization, however, lacked the necessary permits for its operations, and the animals were missing legal documentation and traceability, with most having arrived through irregular trafficking operations. The Civil Guard's report stated that 472 imported animals were seized, including various tortoises, Nile monitors, and wolf spiders. Four individuals are under investigation for their alleged involvement in a criminal network dedicated to the illegal wildlife trade.
