Police are investigating two drivers who have been caught attempting to transport a van full of wild animals across the Dutch border into Germany.
During a routine border check near the German village of Bunde, Lower Saxony, a van attempting to leave the Netherlands for Germany was stopped.
When German police inspected the cargo area of the van, they discovered two zebras, six monkeys, an antelope, a buzzard, a swan and a serval inside, none of which were safely secured.
According to Dutch news agency NOS, the passengers, two Polish citizens aged 23 and 31, were unable to provide the documents required for transporting the wild animals and were not allowed to enter Germany.
When asked, the drivers would not say where the animals came from or where they were planning on going. Most of the animals would not be seen walking around the Netherlands or Germany, other than in a zoo or animal park.
All the animals were removed from the van, examined by a veterinarian, handed over to the Dutch police and finally transferred to a shelter for care. According to German police, the Dutch authorities have now opened a wider investigation into the two drivers.
This article was originally published on IamExpat The Netherlands.
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