Lorraine Williamson
For years, Spain has battled the growing trade in exotic wildlife—an increasingly lucrative black-market economy fuelled by online sales, unregulated “refuges” and amateur collectors seeking unusual pets. This week, that shadowy world collided with public outrage after the Guardia Civil uncovered nearly 500 protected animals hidden inside a supposed sanctuary in rural Ávila.
The case, investigated under Operation Suartx, reveals how a small group allegedly built a façade of environmental goodwill while channelling protected species through a network that spanned nine provinces.
A refuge that wasn’t what it claimed
The building in Burgohondo, tucked into the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos, presented itself as a charitable safe haven for rescued animals. Videos on social media showed smiling volunteers, colourful terrariums, and appeals for donations to “support conservation.”
Behind the scenes, investigators say, the operation was held together by a mix of irregular transfers, missing paperwork and animals with no legal traceability. The four people now under investigation allegedly ran the centre as a pseudo-NGO. They collected donations, offered paid volunteer programmes, and even visited schools in Ávila and Madrid to give educational talks.
None of it, according to the Guardia Civil, had the required permits.
Rare reptiles, spiders and tortoises worth €85,000
Inside the premises, agents found 472 exotic animals, a startlingly diverse collection. It included leopard tortoises, spur-thighed tortoises, Mediterranean tortoises, iguanas, Nile monitors, tarantulas and multiple species of geckos. Many of these require strict registration under CITES regulations.
If bought on the illegal market, the stash would be worth an estimated €85,000.
What troubled officers most was the mortality rate. Half of the animals came from seizures and donations made in previous years. However, around 200 had already died, a figure that paints a far darker picture of the refuge’s real operation.
How the investigation began
The case first emerged in June 2023 when Seprona officers noticed irregularities in the organisation’s social-media output. Posts soliciting donations, courses and sponsorships raised questions about the authenticity of the charity’s status.
From there, the investigation widened. Animals arriving from Madrid, Badajoz, Ciudad Real, Valencia, Toledo, Huesca, Zaragoza and Sevilla pointed to a coordinated scheme rather than isolated misconduct. Officers also found volunteers working without being registered in the social security system.
In the end, the virtual façade crumbled.
Exotic animals rescued from Monserrat
Criminal charges and next steps
Four individuals now face a catalogue of potential offences. These include wildlife crimes, fraud, document falsification, smuggling and membership of a criminal organisation.
Throughout the operation, Seprona officers worked alongside CITES specialists, Tragsatec personnel and environmental agents from Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition.
The case file is now in the hands of the Decanato de los Juzgados de Ávila and the Provincial Environmental Prosecutor’s Office. Moreover, this will determine the next phase of proceedings.
Why this matters
Spain has long been a hotspot in the European trafficking chain. Reptiles and arachnids are among the most commonly traded animals. The Ávila case underscores how quickly illegal networks adapt—using charity branding, social media and wildlife “refuges” to evade scrutiny.
As authorities continue tightening their grip on wildlife crime, this investigation serves as a stark reminder: conservation requires more than good intentions; it relies on transparency, oversight and the protection of species that cannot defend themselves.