More than 200 stuffed endangered animals were seized from an illegal taxidermy workshop by police in Spain.

Six people have been arrested on suspicion of possessing and trafficking of protected species.

Officers found dozens of stuffed animals including an African lion, white rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, hippopotamus, African crocodile, African antelope and giraffe.

The taxidermy was allegedly carried out at a premises in Alicante, without a licence and without the waste management resources necessary, a spokesperson for the Spanish police said.

It is believed that some of the animals' body parts were put directly into the sewage system, an action which would pose "a considerable risk to public health", they added.

Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals Show all 6 1 /6 Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals Two stuffed tigers at the illegal workshop Spanish Civil Guard Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals A stuffed lion found inside the workshop Spanish Civil Guard Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals Officers seized at least 200 stuffed animals from the workshop Spanish Civil Guard Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals Six people are being investigated on suspicion of trafficking Spanish Civil Guard Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals The animals were found in a premises in Alicante Spanish Civil Guard Spanish police seize stuffed endangered animals The inside of the illegal taxidermy workshop Spanish Civil Guard

Officers from the Spanish Guard discovered online posts advertising the animals in May 2018 and identified a taxidermist in Alicante as a possible suspect.

The majority of the animals were seized in a warehouse in Alicante, while more were found at the taxidermist's home in the town of Mutxamiel.

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Wildlife trafficking is strictly prohibited in Spain and authorities said that the 200 stuffed animals seized were from species listed under the United Nation's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).