Top Thai Lizard Poacher Arrested: Wildlife Police

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Top Thai lizard poacher arrested: wildlife police

BANGKOK, February 17, 2011 (AFP) - One of Thailand's most prolific lizard poachers was arrested with hundreds of water monitor lizards destined for Chinese dinner plates, authorities said on Thursday.

More than 200 reptiles were discovered in water-filled tanks in Boonlue Prasitsom's warehouse in Ang Thong province, central Thailand, during a morning raid by Thai Nature Crime Police.

"At first we didn't expect to find so many lizards, but it turned out to be a lot. He is one of Thailand's main lizard poachers," inspector Kiattisak Bamrungsawat, deputy commander of the wildlife force told AFP.

He said Boonlue was believed to be planning to smuggle the creatures through Laos into China on Friday.

The arrest is part of a crackdown on lizard smuggling as Thailand struggles to stem the flow of protected species through its borders.

Conservation group Freeland Foundation said the raid was an "important step" in an investigation into a criminal network that authorities believe is behind "trafficking huge amounts of threatened wildlife into China".

"Freeland congratulates the Thai Nature Crime Police for acting swiftly and professionally on a tip-off that has put a wildlife criminal out of business, while freeing hundreds of wild animals," said the organisation's director Steven Galster.

Boonlue had allegedly been poaching lizards from the wild for over 10 years, Freeland said.

Police were clearly impressed with the suspect's skills at handling the creatures and even required his help in transporting them.

"I think he is the best lizard catcher in Thailand, he is very professional," Kiattisak said.

Boonlue now faces a maximum of four years in prison and a 40,000 baht fine (about $1,300).

Monitor lizards are a common sight in Thailand's waterways and police said the protected species is poached for export, mainly to China and Vietnam where they are prized for their meat.

Freeland said both countries are the major consumers of Southeast Asia's protected reptiles and the region is a source of illegal wildlife "supplying a vast global market whose profit margins are surpassed only by drugs and arms".

Last week police arrested an Indonesian man carrying hundreds of live animals in his airport luggage, including dozens of snakes and one of the world's rarest tortoises.

He is thought to have picked them up at one of Bangkok's biggest markets.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-02-17

[Steely Dan]

'Top Lizard Poacher' Makes it sound as if they compile performance statistics for this (ahem) occupation.

[TAWP]

This makes more sense to sentencing someone to long time in prisons for instead of minor drug-charges for example...

[WarpSpeed]

Protected species?? What about the hundreds the Thai construction workers killed and ate while building Swampy? Even the man in charge at the time told the news paper they were eating them and getting their numbers under control along with the rats and Cobras which were getting out of control because of the Monitors being eaten ..

[ScubaBuddha]

^ I don't know the Thai construction worker was an endangered species.

[slapout]

To put the chase and capture into perspective, the culprit (poacher) had to show the 'Thai nature crime police' how to transport the lizards.

Put the poacher on the payroll, with his experience/connections, he could lead the way in training of the 'Nature cops' and apprehension of the suppliers and buyers.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps this poacher might be sentenced to spend time, helping-out the staff at a local zoo, in view of his apparent expertise ? He might well teach them something !

[h90]

I guess he get a fee of 10.000 Baht and continue his business.

[lonewolf99]

I guess he get a fee of 10.000 Baht and continue his business.

African wildlife parks are full of Poachers turned Gamekeepers.

I think this is a perfect opportunity to reverse a wrong. If it was pointed out to the Lizard Man he could make more money by keeping the Thai animals in Thailand and how it would benifit tourism and his bank balance then maybe this madness would stop.

Thai tourism is down and needs a boost. Nature and Eco tourism is the way ahead.

Not animal shows, stinky zoos or beaches crowded with jet skis and deck chairs or stringing cables from one tree to another and ruining the jungle with giant kiddy slides....

moronic...if you want thrills and spills go to Disneyland.......

[WarpSpeed]

^ I don't know the Thai construction worker was an endangered species.

It was late, but yeah that's why so many Burmese needed ....

Edited February 18, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[Frenchtouch]

I read last week about the Indonesian guy who was arrested at the airport trying to smuggle endangered species. I wonder why he was the only one arrested.

What about the Thai guys who supplied the animals?

The same weekend I went to Chatuchak in the pet area. There were hundreds of animals for sale, a great many of them belonged to these endangered species, dozens of very young wild birds, owls, baby hawks, dozens of reptiles for sale,turtles, monkeys, etc... (the young birds who hatched a few days before will certainly die within a few weeks)

How come there was no policeman walking around? They were busy harassing the T.shirt sellers in the market.

Who is the most dangerous? The guy who sells Tshirts or the one who sells animals that are now on the verge of extinction?

I just saw one, in a shop, discussing with a guy who sold marmosets.

How come there is a stand in the market for the defense and the protection of wild animals with tiger hides and ivory and that no one sees that no animals from endangered species are sold at the market?

Is it all about teamoney and bribes?

PS. The general condition of kittens and puppies for sale on the market is poor. Many of them show early signs of lethal problems that will end with death. Beware if you buy them! Some have clear symptoms of contagious diseases. Beware!(Saw a dead puppy in a bin, as well!)

[DP25]

African wildlife parks are full of Poachers turned Gamekeepers.

I think this is a perfect opportunity to reverse a wrong. If it was pointed out to the Lizard Man he could make more money by keeping the Thai animals in Thailand and how it would benifit tourism and his bank balance then maybe this madness would stop.

Thai tourism is down and needs a boost. Nature and Eco tourism is the way ahead.

No one in the world is going to come to Thailand to see some monitor lizards, the things are practically pests here. If they wanted to see them just go to any lake. Lumpini Park, the lake in the zoo, and various moats and waterways in Bangkok are filled with them and no one goes to see them.

[Macmundi]

They should have hired him rather than arrest him. He could be Thailand's Steve Irwing.

[asiawatcher]

To put the chase and capture into perspective, the culprit (poacher) had to show the 'Thai nature crime police' how to transport the lizards.

Put the poacher on the payroll, with his experience/connections, he could lead the way in training of the 'Nature cops' and apprehension of the suppliers and buyers.

Good suggestion - but you could bet with the inherent corruption it would soon become a business of "save and sell".

[Spee]

Nat Geo Wild is airing a TV show about illegal trade of African ivory in Thailand. Apparently, the hub of activity is in Nakon Sawan. The episode showed a massive bust at Suvarnabhumi with dozens of African elephant tusks. More details at freeland.org: http://www.freeland.org/eng/cantv

Nice to see the Thai law enforcement authorities in a good light.