Wildlife Officers Rescue Abandoned Slow Loris in Phuket

Picture courtesy of Chalermpong Saengdee Facebook

A slow loris believed to be part of an illegal tourist photo operation was rescued after being discovered on Kata Noi Beach, Phuket. Abandoned in a bag, the animal’s presence triggered an investigation by local authorities. The immediate search for a suspect is underway as the Karon Police and wildlife officers delve into the case.

The loris was found on Friday afternoon, October 10, after environmental group Monsoon Garbage and local residents raised concerns on Facebook. This led officials, including Karon Municipality’s Deputy Mayor Trin Thip Mongkol and Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, to inspect the scene. No suspects were initially located when officials arrived, but the loris was recovered and transferred to the Phang Nga Wildlife Animal Sanctuary for care.

MP Chalermpong emphasized on Facebook the legal ramifications for possessing or exploiting protected wildlife under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019. Offenders face up to one year in prison, a 10,000 baht fine, or both. He highlighted the slow loris's endangered status and the distress caused when used in photo operations, urging the public to refrain from supporting such activities.

Looking ahead, investigations continue as authorities seek those responsible for the illegal operation. The public is encouraged to avoid participating in wildlife photo schemes and report any wildlife-related crimes to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s hotline.

Key Takeaways

• A slow loris used in illegal photo ops was found abandoned in Phuket.
• Authorities are investigating under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.
• The public is urged to report wildlife crimes and avoid exploitative photo services.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-15