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Two people arrested for selling exotic animals online

In the municipality of Manacor (Mallorca), the Guardia Civil has apprehended two individuals and is currently investigating another for the sale of various exotic animal species through internet portals as part of Operation Kotach, which is being conducted in Valencia.

The agents have discovered a total of 19 feline family specimens during the search. Notable among these are a pure caracal, two pure servals, and 16 hybrid felines of varying degrees of hybridisation and species. In addition to over 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus, and China, as well as two computers, three mobile phones, and two pen drives, a substantial quantity of documentation has been confiscated and is currently undergoing analysis.

The operation commenced in March of last year when SEPRONA discovered that a couple residing in Ariany (Palma de Mallorca) were breeding servals, caracals, and their hybrids with domestic cats on a tract of land. They subsequently sold the animals on social media.

The agents were able to confirm that the couple’s social media activity was highly active, as individuals from other countries contacted them to purchase these types of animals.

The agents confirmed that the breeding of caracals and servals in Mallorca was just a small part of an international network that encompassed breeders, transporters, and veterinarians, and also included other protected species such as white tigers, black leopards, pumas, and hyenas. They continued their investigation. Countries such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine transported the majority of the animals for sale into the European Union. Additionally, the animals were smuggled into the European Union via the Polish-Belarusian border and subsequently disseminated with fraudulent documentation.

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It is important to mention that the detainees advertised white tigers, clouded leopards, boreal lynxes, hyenas, black leopards, and pumas for sale on their social media accounts. We discovered that the detainees were seeking €60,000 for the clouded leopard.

The agents arrested the two individuals after determining that they lacked a breeder’s permit and no documentation for the transaction after consulting with the appropriate administrative authorities.

The animals have been temporarily confined at the Son Servera Safari Zoo. Subsequently, the Ministry of Ecological Transition (MITECO) will permanently relocate them to Prima Domus (Alicante). Once rehomed to Prima Domus they can be visited, more information on the website https://en.aap.eu/visit-us/

In Russia and Ukraine, there is a prevalent practice of breeding and maintaining these cats as pets, and this trend has begun to be replicated in other countries. These species necessitate an extensive amount of space. Additionally, these specimens are highly aggressive and may pose a threat to humans or other animals. Consequently, a significant number of individuals avoid or relocate them.

Felines that are hybrids


Additionally, numerous breeders have successfully interbred these felines with domestic cats, despite the potential sterility and viability issues that may arise from premature births. Additionally, caracals and servals frequently regard domestic cats as prey rather than mating companions, and they may even cause them to suffer severe injuries or death.

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The purpose of hybridisation is to produce unique cats that exhibit the wild characteristics of their wild progenitors but with a reduced intensity. In reality, the cost of a pure caracal or serval can surpass €8,000, while a first-generation hybrid can fetch up to €18,000.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered


The CITES Convention on the Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora by Controlling Trade, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in the European Union, safeguards these animals. The researchers found that the sellers were offering these animals without the necessary documentation. It is important to acknowledge that the CITES Convention safeguards hybrid animals until the fourth generation.

The investigators are accusing the apprehended individuals of offences against wildlife, smuggling, document falsification, and organised crime.

The SEPRONA (Security and Investigation Unit) of the Valencia Guardia Civil conducted the operation in conjunction with the UPRONA (National Police) in Mallorca, Citizen Security components from the Balearic Islands Command, and MITERD personnel. The First Instance and Investigation Court No. 1 in Manacor directed the operation.

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Torrevieja May Fair 2025 will be located in Antonio Soria Park and will have 15 booths

The Torrevieja May Fair 2025 is scheduled to take place from May 15th to 18th at the Antonio Soria Park grounds. The event will feature 15 booths, a large stage, and stalls that can accommodate 600 people. Additionally, there will be children’s shows, dance academy exhibitions, a large rociero parade, and the eagerly anticipated rociero mass on Sunday, which will conclude the fair.

This renowned event, which showcases Andalusian folklore, music, and gastronomy, has been designated a Provincial Tourist Interest and is now firmly established as one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the local festival calendar. Residents and visitors to Torrevieja can participate in a comprehensive program of musical performances, family-friendly activities, equestrian displays, and a fairground atmosphere in the booths that have been erected throughout the grounds for a period of four days.

FAIR PROGRAMMING 2025

Thursday 15th
21:00 Opening ceremony of the May Fair 2025, with a performance of the Torrevieja national anthem by the UMT band. Fireworks will follow. –
21:30 Performance by the QK Dance Academy .
22:30 Performance by the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood Choir.

Friday 16th
21:00 Performance by the Arantxa Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Torrevieja Municipal Dance School
23:00 Performance by Aire de Lo Ferro

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Saturday 17th 
Noon Celebration of the traditional Misa Rociera (Rociera Mass) in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, sung by the choir of the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood. Afterward, a parade of horsemen and carriages will take place to the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Itinerary: Depart from the Church of the Immaculate Conception and walk up Bazán Street, Delfina Viudes Street until reaching the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Once there, the traditional horse parade will begin.
21:00 Performance by the Soul Dance Studio Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Paya’s Dance School.
23:00 Performance by the group Siempre Así.

Sunday 18th 
12:30 – 17:00 Horse-drawn carriage ride around the fairgrounds
20:30 Performance by the Mery Dance Academy
21:30 Performance by the Brisa del Sur Choir
22:00 Salve and closing ceremony of the 2025 Sevillanas fair sung by the choirs Brisa del Sur, Alba Rociera, and the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood.

Full programme and schedule at: www.torrevieja.es


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Drunk driver caught in Santa Pola with a new license and no lights at night

At the weekend, the Santa Pola Local Police apprehended a driver who had recently obtained a licence and was in violation of numerous regulations.

In this coastal town in Alicante, the police stopped him for exceeding the alcohol limit and using the cycle lane, despite his limited driving experience of only two months.

According to the police force, the incident occurred at night and without headlights, which exacerbated the situation.

The traffic safety regulations have been implemented for all of the aforementioned reasons, as the Local Police have stated on their social media accounts that the risk posed by the absence of lights is not limited to the car.


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16 years for sexual assault of his ex-partner in Benidorm

Yesterday, Monday May 5th, a man who is accused of repeatedly violating the restraining order that barred him from approaching his ex-partner in Benidorm and for sexual assault, appeared in court at the Alicante Provincial Court. The request for 16 years in prison for sexual assault and violation of a precautionary measure has been upheld by the Prosecutor’s Office. The man’s pretrial detention is not caused by the request for 16 years in prison; instead, it is a result of his repeated violations of the restraining order.

Despite being aware that he was subject to a restraining order against his ex-partner, the defendant arrived at her residence in the resort city on July 2nd, 2023, with the intention of proposing sexual intercourse. The defendant sexually assaulted the victim after she refused, as stated in the indictment. On July 19th, 2023, he returned to the residence and repeatedly rang the doorbell.

The defendant defended his right to respond exclusively to the queries posed by his defence. The investigation didn’t even take into account whether or not there was consenting sexual activity. However, he denied any wrongdoing and solely maintained that his ex-partner desired to get revenge when filing the complaint.

The victim’s testimony was the primary piece of evidence at trial, and she reaffirmed it in her complaint in every detail. She claimed that the man arrived at her residence despite being aware that he was unable to approach her and proceeded to sexually violate her upon his arrival. It transpired that there had been prior violations of the restraining order. In fact, he returned to the residence a few days later and began to ring the doorbell. The Prosecutor’s Office maintained the sentences it requested at the conclusion of the trial, thereby supporting all of these points.

The reason for the preventive detention in this case was not the sexual assault itself, which is still pending sentencing, but rather the repeated violations of the restraining order issued by the Court for Violence against Women. The measure is intended to prevent the victim from encountering additional risk situations, as the accused, despite having been judicially warned, returned to his ex-partner’s residence on numerous occasions, disregarding the explicit prohibition of approaching. The judge interpreted this persistent behaviour as a clear indication of a high risk of repeat offences and that the accused does not respect the judicial measures. Consequently, they justified his imprisonment as a means of ensuring the safety of the complainant and the seamless operation of the process.

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