In a startling case of wildlife crime, two men have been found guilty of running a clandestine zoo from a private property, crammed with exotic and endangered creatures they attempted to sell on the black market.
The illegal menagerie, uncovered in a police and RSPCA raid, housed a shocking collection of protected species. Among the animals discovered were three critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs, a four-foot American alligator, and a variety of other exotic species.
A Shocking Discovery
Authorities were alerted to the illegal operation after the men, Raymond Burton and Joshua Priest, were caught attempting to sell a lemur. This sparked a major investigation leading to a raid on the property. The conditions were described as wholly inadequate for such sensitive wildlife, with many animals kept in cramped and unsuitable enclosures.
The Endangered Inhabitants
The roster of rescued animals reads like a catalogue from a safari park:
- Three black-and-white ruffed lemurs (critically endangered)
- A four-foot American alligator
- An African spurred tortoise
- A ring-tailed lemur
- Two capuchin monkeys
- Several parrots and a raccoon
Many of these species are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), making their trade without a licence a serious criminal offence.
Justice Served
Burton and Priest faced justice at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court. Both pleaded guilty to charges related to keeping and trading endangered species without the required licence. They were handed 12-month community orders, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and were given a six-month electronic curfew.
This case highlights the ongoing battle against the illegal wildlife trade within the UK and serves as a stark warning to those who exploit endangered species for profit.
