Geoffroy’s cat fur was being sold in town centre shop
Derbyshire Police have seized an illegal fur coat made from the pelt of a Geoffroy’s cat. The fur was being sold from a shop in Buxton town centre.
Native to South America, Geoffroy’s cats (Leopardus geoffroyi) have the highest level of protection under Cites. Anyone selling this type of fur must have a proper licence unless it pre-dates 1947.
Police say they were alerted that the coat was genuine fur and, working with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, they sized the fur on 8 February.
PC Emerson Buckingham said: “Geoffroy’s cats used to be widely hunted for their pelts, which were then made into garments and sold in the fur trade. When the cats were placed under the CITES scheme, that trade dropped off but we still see these kinds of furs, of many different prohibited species, being sold.
“The trade of any CITES animal is prohibited and anyone who sells them on is only encouraging the illegal killing of animals and trade of their pelts. These animals have protection for a reason and it’s important that we and the National Wildlife Crime Unit take action to prevent such trade whenever we have the chance.”
The owner of the fur coat has been dealt with by community resolution.
Wildlife crime offences can be reported to police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Image by Charles Barilleaux/Wikipedia/CC BY 2.0
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