BEIJING: Police in China have seized more than 900 python molurus hides after an undercover investigation into the wild animal trade.
Amazing pictures show the scale of the haul – worth eight million Yuan (£825,000) – and made up of 961 sheaths of snake skin.
Officers wore masks and gloves as they sorted through the loot following a raid last week, which was discovered following a joint operation by the Linyl Forest Poice, the Tacheng Forest Police and the Tancheng Police.
Investigation: Officers discovered the collection worth eight million yuan following a joint undercover operation
The pythons are slaughtered for their skin, which can be used in luxury items including handbags and shoes, as well as on an erhus, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.
While the instrument is revered in China for the melodic sound it makes, animal welfare campaigners said demand for python skin – which is used to cover its sound box – is helping drive the animal into extinction.
Python molorus are listed under the United States Endangered Species Act as endangered throughout its range.
Police said they have arrested two suspects following the raid in Linyi, located in the Shandong Province of China, and they are continuing to investigate the incident.
