An animal welfare charity in the North has recovered 10 baby crocodiles from a vehicle attempting to transport the reptiles across the Border.
The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) and the PSNI discovered the exotic reptiles after stopping the vehicle outside Newry, Co Down, near the Border. The USPCA said it believed the reptiles were intended for sale in the North.
USPCA chief executive Stephen Philpott confirmed the animals were intercepted as part of an ongoing investigation, which also saw dangerous reptiles taken from a house near Omagh, Co Tyrone.
"A large quantity of exotic animals were found in the back of the vehicle, most significant of which were 10 baby crocodiles," he said. Also recovered were a python and boa constrictor, tarantulas, lizards, water dragons, about 30 turtles and two toads.
"The animals were being transported very professionally in very professional packages and so were in no real distress when we uncovered them."
Mr Philpott spoke of the USPCA's ongoing worries about the supply and trade of these exotic animals. "While it's not illegal to own one, it is illegal to trade in them," he said.
"The USPCA hopes to highlight through this operation that there is no law in the North that stops people from keeping dangerous animals."
In the Republic, "you need a licence to keep a dog but not to keep a tiger," said Conor Dowling, chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
Once the animal was bought, it was the owner's private property and nothing could be done, he said.Tigers and bears had been kept in garages and back gardens over the years, said Mr Dowling.