Parcels containing taxidermied rare animals were headed to the USA and European countries
This is reported by Kyiv24
The Kyiv customs authorities prevented the illegal export of a unique collection of taxidermied rare animal species outside Ukraine. During the customs inspection of international postal shipments, inspectors discovered 12 taxidermied birds and animals protected by international conservation agreements.
Where the parcels were headed and who the sender was
According to the Kyiv customs information, all parcels were intended for delivery to various countries: the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Italy. The sender, according to preliminary data, turned out to be a citizen of Ukraine.
“The map of the ‘destinations’ of the parcels with taxidermied animals stretched from the USA to Europe: the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Italy. The sender is one of our compatriots,” the statement reads.
Protected species and legislative restrictions
According to the expertise of the I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the confiscated collection included the following species: wildcat, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, eagle owl, tawny owl, and long-eared owl (Asio otus). All these representatives of the fauna are endangered and are protected by international conventions.
The mentioned species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. Customs officials emphasized that the export of such animals or their taxidermied forms outside Ukraine is only possible with a special permit.
“All these species are endangered. They are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. The export of such animals (alive or dead) without a special permit is prohibited,” customs officials explained.