A MAN has been convicted of trying to sell the claws of endangered tigers in an online auction from his home in Fife.

Wildlife crime officers raided Gary Whyte’s home in Cowdenbeath after they were tipped off that tiger claws were being put up for sale online.

After searching the 50-year-old’s home, officers recovered animal parts that were later confirmed to be tiger claws.

Whyte was previously convicted of offences relating to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations in October. At Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday, he was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work as part of a Community Payback Order.

Constable Lindsay Kerr, wildlife crime officer for Fife, said: “Whyte stood to make a significant profit from the sale of these tiger claws, the sale of which is a contravention of endangered species legislation.

“The sale of endangered animal parts will not be tolerated and anyone involved in such activities can expect to be dealt with by police.”