Joe Kahlo
A couple from France were shocked after paying 6,000 euros ($7,300) for a ‘Savannah cat,’ only to receive a tiger cub instead.
They paid for the kitten upon delivery as they failed to notice that instead of being a Savannah cat, it was a Sumatran tiger.
It took a few days for them to notice, and when they did. they immediately called the police.
Savannah cats are listed as an acceptable pet whereas a tiger is not and is protected by the CITES treaty (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
Nine suspects have been arrested on suspicion of trafficking a protected species as well as being involved in organized crime.
The couple paid the seller upon delivery after not noticing that the cat was not a Savannah cat, despite obvious differences.
The Sumatran tiger is a protected species and private ownership is prohibited.
The tiger was in good health when it was seized and was entrusted to the French Biodiversity Office who gave it a new home.
