Body parts of exotic endangered animals were seized from properties in Wakefield recently in what is believed to be one of the biggest seizures of endangered animals in the country.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police and the West Yorkshire Police Wildlife Crime unit swooped on two properties in Wrenthorpe and Ossett in conjunction with Revenue and Customs, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and other partnership agencies.

Collectively they executed two warrants under the Control of Endangered Species Legislation and searched the properties where they recovered a substantial number of exotic animal parts. As a result two people were arrested and taken to police stations where they were interviewed.

The police confirmed the animals were not alive. It is believed the body parts were of certain exotic species which are illegal to trade in this country under the Control of Endangered Species Legislation.

The two people in question are believed to have been trading them via the internet. They have both been bailed pending further inquiries.