Fife Man Charged Over Animal Parts Sale

A Cowdenbeath man has been arrested and charged following an attempt to sell leopard and bear animal parts online. 

Police in Fife arrested a 49-year-old man after searching a property in Cowdenbeath on 29 July.

Numerous items were recovered, which experts believe came from a leopard and a large bear. 

The man was charged under Section 8 (1) of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.

Lindsay Kerr, Wildlife and Environmental Crime Officer, said: “It is really quite rare, particularly in this part of the world, for someone to be involved in this kind of illegal and very damaging trade.

“However, acting on intelligence, Police Scotland and the National Wildlife Crime Unit carried out a thorough investigation and have arrested a 49-year-old man who is due to appear in court at a later date.

“My advice to anyone who is involved in the illegal sale of protected species is not to take the risk.  It is a criminal offence and we investigate all reports of wildlife crime with the aim of ensuring that those involved in any black market activities are arrested."