A stuffed Bengal tiger that was once used for an Alexander McQueen photoshoot was put up for sale illegally for £50,000!
The 47-year-old man in question is on suspicion of breaking animal wildlife laws, launching an investigation by the police on where the animal was killed and stuffed. If it was after 1947, the owner must provide documentation proving it complies with the endangered species laws.
The animal was purchased last year from a German zoo for the shoot by photographer Nicholas Knight featuring Puma trainers designed by Alexander McQueen.
The arrest is part of a crackdown on illegal trade of endangered species and since its launch in 1995, the police have seized over 30,000 endangered species products being sold illegally in London!
Another investigation as recently as 2007 revealed that European zoos were killing healthy tigers to sell their bodies to a Belgian taxidermist who sold the stuffed animal to rich collectors who paid the big bucks! The ad alludes to the possibility that the tiger was stuffed at this locale:
“Created for Spring/Summer 2010 Alexander McQueen PUMA campaign Crane Vs. Tiger, photographed by Nick Knight. Taxidermied Belgian tiger specimen on painted wooden base. 204 x 60 x 200cm.”
Yikes!
We sincerely hope this tiger wasn’t a part of such a despicable scheme!
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