By Tim Binnall
An enormous assortment of taxidermied endangered animals said to be worth millions of dollars has been seized by authorities in Spain. Detailing the huge bust in a press release, the country's Civil Guard indicated that they discovered the massive menagerie of stuffed creatures last week in a warehouse located in the community of Bétera. Contained within the confines of the cavernous building, they said, were a staggering 1,090 "dissected specimens," including a jaw-dropping 405 animals that have either been classified as endangered or have already been declared extinct in nature. Among the astounding array of animals found in the building were a white rhinoceros, a Bengal tiger, a cheetah, a lion, and even a polar bear.
Said to be the largest discovery of taxidermied endangered animals ever uncovered in Spain and possibly Europe in general, the entire collection is said to be worth a whopping $31 million. Although the owner of the warehouse was not immediately arrested, police say that he is currently being investigated for the possible illegal smuggling of the stuffed animals as well as potential violations of various laws surrounding "the protection of flora and fauna" in the region. The bust came about following a months-long investigation into the case that began after someone alerted police to the wondrous collection hidden away within the warehouse.