THE Guardia Civil has removed 229 of Moorish turtles being kept illegally on a Valencia area farm- the largest seizure of its kind in Spain.
A 50-year-old Spanish man is being investigated for crimes against flora and fauna.
The Moorish turtle is listed as a protected species and cannot be kept domestically without a licence.
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Inquiries by the Guardia’s Seprona environment team based in Valencia led them to a finca in Picassent.
Several vets working for government institutions took part in the operation.
The turtles were taken to the El Saler Wildlife Recovery Centre.
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Legal proceedings against the farmer will be taken by the regional environmental prosecutor’s office.