An antiques dealer has been fined £930 for selling crocodile and monkey skulls before doing his research.

John McCabe, of Sedge Drove in Ten Mile Bank, pleaded guilty to selling a specimen of a saltwater crocodile, three specimens of crab-eating Macaque – a species of monkey – and possessing cannabis.

King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court heard he bought the crocodile skull from an antique fair, thinking he was able to sell it.

McCabe bought two of the monkey skulls on Ebay from Indonesia and another from Germany.

The bones are listed as protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement between governments which ensures trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit, who work with the police, found McCabe had advertised a monkey skull on Ebay as legal to own and an investigation was launched into his whole account, the court heard.

Source: Wisbech Standard

To read the full article click here.