Three Orangutans Seized in Thailand's Wildlife Smuggling Bust

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In a dramatic wildlife trafficking bust, three endangered orangutans were intercepted in Chumphon’s Mueang district, Thailand, on their covert journey to Bangkok. The animals, housed in large baskets, were discovered in a pickup truck during a police checkpoint inspection, with assistance from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

 

The truck was driven by Winai, 63, accompanied by 45-year-old Kalaya. Alongside the orangutans, authorities found suspected wild monkeys and a goral, hinting at a broader smuggling operation. The suspected traffickers claimed they collected the animals in Songkhla for a Bangkok customer.

 

These orangutans, crucially protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), highlight a serious breach of international regulations. Police suspect an international wildlife trafficking network's involvement and are verifying if any licences or permissions were granted for animal possession.

 

 

Following the initial operation, authorities raided a related house in Bangkok’s Ratchapruek area, uncovering additional exotic animals, including seven cotton-top tamarins and two red pandas.

 

This incident reflects on the ongoing wildlife trafficking challenges in Thailand. This follows December's repatriation of trafficked orangutans to Indonesia, underscoring efforts to combat such networks. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is thoroughly investigating the animals' origins, aiming to dismantle the illicit network responsible.

 

-- 2025-01-23