Beastly crime: £100k worth of stuffed animals stolen from London taxidermy warehouse

Police have requested information concerning the theft of £100,000 (US$142,000) worth of stuffed animals, including two lions, a giraffe and a chimpanzee in a top hat and tie, stolen from a south London taxidermy warehouse.

Wandsworth detectives have put out a call to the public for any information on the theft which occurred on March 1.

Thieves arrived in a van and used angle grinders to cut their way into the warehouse at round 7:30pm.

They made off with a number of stuffed animals and a globe estimated to be worth £100,000.

“This was not a random crime, the burglars had come prepared and well equipped. This was a criminal enterprise and these thieves need to be stopped before they commit further crimes,” Detective Constable Edward Bird said in a statement.

“The items they stole are of high value and are very distinctive.

“I am appealing for anyone with information to contact police, in particular I would ask anyone who deals in such animals to be on the look-out and contact police immediately if you are offered any of the stolen items,” Bird added.