MOSCOW, July 11 (RAPSI) – A court in the city of Tyumen has banned 19 Internet pages selling rare species of animals listed in the Red Book, Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor announced on Tuesday.
Leopards, tigers, panthers, jaguars, caracals, and ocelots were listed for sale on the banned websites, according to the statement.
Under the Federal Law “Concerning Fauna”, rare and endangered wildlife objects are included in the Russian Red Book or Red Books of Russia’s territorial entities, the watchdog reminded. Actions which could result in their death, depletion in numbers or habitat destruction are prohibited.
Illegal purchase, transportation, and sale of valuable wild animal is punishable in Russia by up to 7 years in prison, in accordance with the Criminal Code, Roskomnadzor added.
The websites have been blocked by their administration.