MOSCOW, April 17 (RAPSI) – Investigation has been launched over alleged holding a rare Red-listed leopard in constraint at a mall in Russia’s city of Novokuznetsk, the Investigative Committee’s press service reports Wednesday.

A criminal case has been opened over illegal husbandry of highly valued wild animals for public demonstration, the statement reads.

According to investigators, starting December 2018, wild animals including two leopards were held in constraint at one of the malls in Novokuznetsk. The animals were shown to the mall’s visitors.

The leopards are listed in Red Book as endangered species, investigators claim.