MIAMI (AP) - Authorities say an online video showed endangered Florida panther kittens being taken from their den.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Ken Warren said search warrants were served Thursday at the homes of two Miami men suspected of “numerous” wildlife violations, including interfering with the breeding, feeding or sheltering of Florida panthers. Warren said in a statement Friday that one man was arrested because of items found during the search.
Warren said the investigation stemmed from a YouTube video showing a female panther running away as a man enters its den and then the man re-emerging with two kittens. The date of the video wasn’t released.
The penalties for violating state and federal wildlife protections include up to $100,000 in fines and a year in prison.
Warren wouldn’t say what happened to the kittens, and the video was deleted.
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