Mexican agents seize stuffed animals
Date: 15-Jan-02
Country: MEXICO
More than 400 items were recovered, including a lion's head, the skins of leopards, pumas and a Bengal tiger as well as stuffed jaguars, ocelots and spider monkeys.
During the raid on a home in the southeastern city of Merida, agents also found turtle shells, a shark, and scores of stuffed birds, including parrots, macaws, pheasants, cockatoos, peacocks and flamingos.
Police arrested Rafael Castillo, 63, in the raid. Castillo claimed to have permits to carry out his work, but officials said his paperwork was not in order and he violated wildlife protection laws.
Mexico's environmental protection agency Profepa said the raid was "a strong blow to the international traffic of skins and exotic animals in danger of extinction."
