An "in-depth inquiry" must be held into illegal lion, tiger and wolf safaris in Spain, the pro-Communist United Left coalition urged on Wednesday.
Seven people, including three hunters, were arrested Saturday for participating in an illegal hunt during which a tiger was killed, in Monterrubio de la Serena, southwestern Spain, the Badajoz subprefecture said.
Police said they had also discovered a lion and two tigers, one of which had been killed, at the property. All seven suspects were later released conditionally.
United Left called on the Extremadura regional government to open an inquiry and "reinforce surveillance of hunting sites".
"For three years, people have hunted wolves and other endangered species in Extremadura and safaris have been organised," United Left said in a statement.
The inquiry must probe the "fraudulent" administrative means by which the owners of the hunting sites were able to procure circus animals, the party added.
According to local newspaper Hoy, safari organisers are offering rich clients the chance to hunt such rare or protected species as lions, tigers, lynx and white wolves.
Source: Agence France-Presse
