The stuffed cheetah (not pictured) was being brought into Switzerland for a private individual
Keystone / Vahid Salemi
A cheetah stuffed by a taxidermist has been seized at the customs post in St Margrethen, northeastern Switzerland. A German man was importing it from Austria for a private individual.
Threatened or endangered animals may not be imported into Switzerland – or only with a special permit. The same applies to products made from such animals, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security said on Thursday.
The stuffed cheetah was in the private vehicle of the German, who “duly declared it” when going through customs in St Margrethen at the end of October. However, he did not have a CITES permit (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which is why the cheetah was seized.
More than 180 countries have pledged to cooperate with CITESExternal link. In Switzerland, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office is responsible for the implementation of the convention. The customs office carries out border controls and checks on consignments of goods on behalf of the veterinary office.
More
More
Confiscated!
This content was published on
The idea for the photo shoot came after he met veterinary officials to negotiate the release of his own confiscated polar bear fur boots. It was a “fascinating” array of materials, he told swissinfo.ch.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Zurich laboratory finds intestinal bacteria in coffee machines
This content was published on
Last year, the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory found defects in one in four samples of milk drinks from coffee machines. Too many intestinal bacteria were found in a number of samples.
SWISS Belgrade-Zurich flight forced to land in Germany
This content was published on
Swiss flight LX1413 from Belgrade to Zurich had to make an unscheduled landing today in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany.
New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting
This content was published on
A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.
Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has brought charges against a Kosovar on suspicion of being the leader of the Swiss branch of a Kosovar terrorist organisation. He is also suspected of having been active in the management of the organisation in Kosovo.
Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage
This content was published on
The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.
Chihuahua leads Swiss rescue team to owner stuck in a crevasse
This content was published on
A Chihuahua helped to rescue a man on the Fee Glacier above Saas-Fee VS on Friday. It alerted a rescue team to its owner who had fallen into a crevasse.
Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States
This content was published on
According to a survey of managers, Swiss companies are increasingly turning away from the USA and orientating themselves more towards Southeast Asia and the EU. This is the result of a recent survey.
This content was published on
The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Nations tighten rules on trading protected animals and plants
This content was published on
States meeting in Geneva to discuss the global wildlife trade have agreed to strengthen protections on a range of different species.
This content was published on
Lörtscher is head of conservation of species at the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, and since 2004 he has been one of the scientific experts on the Animals Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). swissinfo.ch: What was the most shocking thing you have had to deal with…
Swiss expert warns over lucrative illegal wildlife trade
This content was published on
The illegal trade in wildlife has become a massively lucrative, low-risk activity controlled by criminal groups, warns Swiss expert Mathias Lörtscher.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.