OVER 1,000 stuffed animals including polar bears, rhinos and elephants have been found in warehouses.
Police are now investigating a suspected smuggling ring.
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The huge haul, pictured, near Valencia, Spain, worth an estimated £24million, also included tigers, lions, leopards and an extinct oryx.
Animal campaigners have reacted with horror.
It is not known whether the animals died naturally or were hunted.
Eduardo Goncalves, of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: “People will be sickened by the senseless slaughter.
“We are talking about some of the most highly endangered animals.
“However, a number of the top trophy hunters are Spanish with one having shot more than 2,000 animals.”
Police said the warehouse owner could be charged with trafficking or environmental crimes but he has not yet been arrested.
PETA director Elisa Allen said: “The sale of exotic animal parts is one of the world’s largest sources of criminal earnings — and it’s the animals who pay the price.”
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