In a recent raid on a Russian couple’s home in Majorca, Spanish authorities seized several cats, most of which were hybrids of domestic cats and big cats. The couple is accused of leading an illegal international operation that involved selling pumas, leopards, and other big cats as pets.
The raid in the hilltop town of Ariany uncovered 19 cats, including servals and a caracal, held in captivity. Additional cats were identified as hybrids of big and domestic cats. The discovery is believed to be just the beginning of a larger criminal network that includes breeders, transporters, and veterinarians.
The suspects, who remain unnamed, allegedly used social media platforms to market rare and exotic species such as white tigers, black leopards, and lynxes. Spanish police confiscated a collection of documents and 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus, and China during the operation.
Owning big cats has become a symbol of status among the wealthy, with a growing trend in countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. Many of the animals were transported illegally from countries like Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine into the European Union.
Hybrids of wild felines and domestic cats were sold for significant sums, with caracals and servals priced around 8,000 euros and hybrids reaching up to 18,000 euros. These crossbreeds are often sterile and face health issues, which has drawn criticism from animal rights organizations for being both cruel and dangerous.
The seized animals are currently being housed at the Son Servera Safari Zoo in Majorca, with potential plans to relocate them to a rescue center near Alicante.
