Spain’s Guardia Civil police said on Saturday that they had raided an unlicensed animal sanctuary and rescued hundreds of exotic creatures.
They also said that four people are under investigation for their alleged involvement in a criminal organisation dedicated to the illegal trafficking of exotic animals.
In a statement, the police said that a total of 472 exotic animals were seized, including leopard tortoises, African spurred tortoises, Mediterranean tortoises, iguanas, various types of geckos, tarantulas and Nile monitor lizards, among others. Their estimated value amounts to €85,000.
None of the animals had documentation or legal traceability. They were being kept in a fake refuge located in the town of Burgohondo in the province of Ávila (Castilla y León). Most of them came from irregular transfers from provinces such as Madrid, Badajoz, Ciudad Real, Valencia, Toledo, Huesca, Zaragoza and Seville.
The Guardia Civil’s environmental unit, Seprona, began the investigation in June 2023, after detecting various irregularities on social media.
Officers found that the individuals involved belonged to a supposed NGO that financed the care of the animals through donations obtained through advertising on social media, without holding any licences or permits. It was also discovered that this alleged NGO offered courses and volunteer programmes to individuals who worked without being registered with Spain’s social security.
In addition, there was a paid sponsorship scheme run by a biologist and another individual, who also gave talks in educational centres in Ávila and Madrid.
All the facilities were operating without municipal licences or authorisation, the police statement said, and although the animals were in good condition, it was determined that they originated from previous seizures and donations, where around 200 of the nearly 500 animals had already died.
As a result of these irregularities, four people have been placed under investigation for offences against wildlife, fraud, document forgery, smuggling and membership of a criminal organisation.
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#OperacionesGC | Intervenidos cerca de 500 animales exóticos protegidos en un falso refugio de Ávila
Los ejemplares pertenecen a varias especies de tortugas, iguanas, gecos, tarántulas y varanos. Su valoración económica asciende a los 85.000 euroshttps://t.co/YYiOsR7UbN pic.twitter.com/4zpbgh3wcQ— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) November 15, 2025
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