What was found in the house?
The Guardia Civil in Las Palmas seized a collection of ivory objects in a house on Gran Canaria in early October 2026. The owner had discovered the items before planned renovation work and informed Seprona, the environmental protection service.
According to La Voz de Lanzarote, the seized collection includes four ivory tusks of different sizes, three of them engraved. It also includes numerous figures carved from ivory and two wooden sticks with finely worked ivory handles.
The available reports give no more precise location on Gran Canaria. The age, origin and total value of the pieces had also not been published by Friday.
How did the owner react?
The owner handed over the items voluntarily and gave Seprona his full support. The Guardia Civil highlighted his "plena colaboración", meaning full cooperation, according to the report.
He had discovered the pieces when renovation work on the property was due to begin. As there was no documentation proving legal origin, he contacted the authorities himself.
The reports do not say that any offence has yet been established. They simply explain that possession, display or sale of certain specimens without the required proof of origin or permits can lead to administrative proceedings and, depending on the circumstances, criminal liability.
What rules apply to ivory?
Spain has been a member of the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, since 28 August 1986. In the European Union, the convention is applied mainly through Regulations (EC) 338/97 and 865/2006.
Spain's Real Decreto 7/2018 sets out how the legal origin of protected specimens must be proven. Under this rule, no export or re-export documents are issued for raw elephant ivory from before the convention.
The decision on possible criminal consequences lies with the courts, not with the Cabildo of Gran Canaria or the Canary Islands government. The Guardia Civil carries out monitoring and investigation.
What does this mean for residents and visitors?
This report creates no new general deadline, fee, price change or closure for residents, expats or visitors. Anyone who finds ivory, stuffed animals or other potentially protected specimens in an old house, an inheritance or a collection should not sell, display or pass on the items.
Instead, the Guardia Civil advises informing Seprona or the Guardia Civil. The report gives no telephone number, application procedure or submission deadline.
According to the report, the specific legal treatment depends on the type, origin and circumstances of acquisition or keeping of the objects. No decision on return, permanent confiscation or sanctions has been published either.
What remains open?
The exact location of the find, the age and origin of the pieces and their total value remain open. Any permit or criminal file, as well as the identity of the owner, has also not been disclosed.
The Guardia Civil must now assess the objects and, where appropriate, initiate the relevant administrative or criminal proceedings. No further date or deadline had been published by Friday.