The Metropolitan Police are investigating a report that an auction house was going to sell body parts from endangered animals.

Officers visited the auction after an anonymous tip-off that a tiger skull, three narwhal tusks and a number of turtle shells were on display to be included in an upcoming auction.

“A member of the public raised concerns with us about the legal status of a number of objects derived from endangered species which were due for sale,” a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said.

“Police went to the auction house and gave advice, which they acted on, and the items were removed from the sale.”

Under international legislation, the buying or selling of parts of endangered species is punishable by up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Posted: 01|28|08 at 4:07 pm. Filed under: UK News.