Poaching case has lasting consequences for critically endangered leopard

By Piyaporn Wongruang 
The Nation

 

Photo credit: Sunshine Sketcher Facebook Page/ Wildlife Photographer Parinya Padungtin

 

The black leopard, which belongs to the same species as the spotted Indochinese leopard, is critically endangered worldwide, and while Thailand’s Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary is one of its few remaining habitats, there are only about 100 surviving in the area.

 

Earlier this week, Italian-Thai Development president Premchai Karnasuta was arrested with three companions in the wildlife sanctuary, allegedly in possession of hunting rifles - and the carcass of a black leopard.

 

The species information has been updated on the Facebook page Sunshine Sketcher, which is managed by Petch Manopawitr, deputy director and Thailand programme coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Southeast Asia.

 

Worldwide, it is estimated that the number of Indochinese leopards in the wild is between 900 and 2,500, including the black leopards, whose colour results from a gene mutation affecting their hair and melanin.

 

The species’ habitat has been reduced to 2.4 per cent of its historical range, according to a 2016 research article “Endangered leopards: Range collapse of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) in Southeast Asia” published in the journal Biological Conservation.

 

The leopard, which was once indigenous across Southeast Asia, is believed to have gone extinct in Laos and Vietnam, while in parts of Cambodia and southern China, poaching has reduced the population to near-extinction levels.

 

Thailand and neighbours Myanmar and Malaysia provide the last remaining habitats in which the cats can reproduce in viable populations.

 

Thailand’s Western Forest Complex, including the 4-million-rai (640,000-hectare) World Heritage site Thung Yai and Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuaries, is one prime area where it is hoped that the species can be conserved, with the population estimated to be between 100 and 130.

 

Poaching is the most serious threat to the species, followed by declining populations of its natural prey as well as damage to its habitat and disease.

 

Research has stated that the species should be listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as being endangered.

 

Petch told the Nation that Thung Yai was clearly critical habitat for the animal.

 

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry should expedite the investigation into the recent killing, which could affect the country’s image and perceptions about law enforcement, as the case had made headlines worldwide, he added.

 

“This case will be a turning point for good or for bad,” Petch said. “If the wrongdoers elude justice, officials could lose morale, and their efforts to try to protect the forest would become meaningless.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338281

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-08

"The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry should expedite the investigation into the recent killing, which

could affect the country’s image and perceptions about law enforcement, as the case had made headlines worldwide, he added."

There it is again, " the country's image".

Well,do something about it then. Prosecute these guys who killed the endangered species to the fullest extent of the law  (That will send a message to the rest of the world that Thailand is sincere about its environment.

 

The story is getting out there.......slowly.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/thai-construction-tycoon-accused-of-poaching-leopard/articleshow/62802540.cms

Edited February 8, 20188 yr by ratcatcher

6 minutes ago, ratcatcher said:

"The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry should expedite the investigation into the recent killing, which

could affect the country’s image and perceptions about law enforcement, as the case had made headlines worldwide, he added."

There it is again, " the country's image".

Well,do something about it then. Prosecute these guys who killed the endangered species to the fullest extent of the law  (That will send a message to the rest of the world that Thailand is sincere about its environment.

 

The story is getting out there.......slowly.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/thai-construction-tycoon-accused-of-poaching-leopard/articleshow/62802540.cms

 

Yes, I want to see what kind of message they will send to the world once the guy walks free. 

7 minutes ago, kotsak said:

 

Yes, I want to see what kind of message they will send to the world once the guy walks free. 

I bet he won't go to jail like the old couple picking mushrooms.

A one-sided duel between the spotted Indochinese black leopard and the fatter Indochinese brown envelope.

28 minutes ago, Thian said:

I bet he won't go to jail like the old couple picking mushrooms.

That is exactly what i was thinking, I guess we will see if a beautiful endangered leopard has more value to them than a few mushrooms...

Edited February 8, 20188 yr by fab99

39 minutes ago, fab99 said:

That is exactly what i was thinking, I guess we will see if a beautiful endangered leopard has more value to them than a few mushrooms...

Western tourists would pay serious money to see a black leopard in the wild....alive that is...

 

They also would pay a lot to snorkle/dive in the thai sea's if they didn't ruin it of course....

 

They would even come in larger groups if the roads and air were safe and clean...

 

And if the national parks didn't charge them the 10-folded price they wouldn't get a bad aftertaste and tell all their friends about it.

A nice long jail sentence is called for but unlikely it with happen because of the Thai caste system. 

How the elitists just love ruining and defiling their country for their own sick pleasures.  . 

He should book early for Dubai.

Chinese.

8 hours ago, yellowboat said:

How the elitists just love ruining and defiling their country for their own sick pleasures.  . 

but do these ones see themselves as really Thai?  Is Thailand and its poor, misused staff and environment just something to be used up by people who see themselves as something separate and entitled?

As in the old Two Ronnies joke, he'll get his comeuppance in the end one way or another...

 

"Sir Hartley Fawcett, crack-shot big game hunter, famous for his slogan, 'Shoot 'em right between the eyes!' — was eaten late last night by two one-eyed tigers walking arm in arm."

One of my favorite big cats, unfortunately lives in the shadow of the beloved tiger.

Saw this 1st Class A$$-hole on Thai news yesterday...lying his stupid ass off. Arrogant idiot. Needs to do some time behind bars and be fined a large amount that goes to the protection of these beautiful Big Cats. 

Edited February 9, 20188 yr by Skeptic7