Thai police seize nearly 200 pangolins

[Lite Beer]

Thai police seize nearly 200 pangolins

BANGKOK, September 17, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police Tuesday said they had seized almost 200 live protected pangolins, which are prized in China and Vietnam as an exotic meal and for use in traditional medicine.

The animals -- known as "scaly anteaters" -- were discovered on Monday in two pick-up trucks that were stopped by highway police in the province of Udon Thani in the country's northeast.

The drivers fled the scene, abandoning their vehicles, Udon Thani police chief Boonlue Kobangyang said.

The animals are believed to have been destined for China or Vietnam, via Laos.

They will be returned to a nearby Thai national park where they are thought to have been captured.

Trade in pangolins is banned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The small mammals are nearly entirely covered with scales, made of keratin -- the same protein that makes up human hair.

The scales are sought after in Vietnam and China as a remedy for allergies and to help male potency.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-09-17

[lee b]

The drivers fled the scene..OK why the hell did the police not chase them or would that be too much trouble for them???

[chooka]

The drivers fled the scene..OK why the hell did the police not chase them or would that be too much trouble for them???

You try running in a tight uniform, there is room for movement.

[brabo2180]

Male potency again!!!

The Chinese should stop slaughtering animals all over the world because they think some part of the animal improves their male potency.

Have they never heard of Viagra???

[daoyai]

Male potency again!!!

The Chinese should stop slaughtering animals all over the world because they think some part of the animal improves their male potency.

Have they never heard of Viagra???

These days they add Viagra to the traditional concotions so they actualy work. Sadly this perpetuates the myth that fuels the trade.

Edited September 17, 2013 by daoyai

[Xonax]

The drivers fled the scene..OK why the hell did the police not chase them or would that be too much trouble for them???

Money talks! There is a price for making the BiB look the other way for a few minutes.

[Morakot]

The drivers fled the scene..OK why the hell did the police not chase them or would that be too much trouble for them???

What's the Thai equivalent for donuts?

[Morakot]

[Neilly]

[DocN]

I am just waiting for someone to come up and tell me, I shouldn't mock the Chinese for their believes!

Just kill every living species, because it gives you a boner!

Morons!

[thhMan]

Cant the police shoot at the crims that are fleeing.

It may set a precedent.... Who knows, it may work!

[bangon04]

Why can't the Chinese just FAKE the pangolins like they fake everything else? There must be a huge profit to be made by this...And as the "traditional" medicine is based on believing what old women tell you anyway.. then there should be no difference in what results are achieved. If Chinese grannies tell their little boys that licking housebricks will improve their hardons, then it will work....

[Traxster]

"If Chinese grannies tell their little boys that licking housebricks will improve their hardons, then it will work...."

Housebricks ?

Hardons ?...really ??...

which sort ???....

Wow...whodathunk ?

[Thai at Heart]

Sorry, but if they aren't caught at the border crossing, how the hell do you accuse them off smuggling pangolins?

Is it illegal to drive a truck full of pangolins around.

[daoyai]

Sorry, but if they aren't caught at the border crossing, how the hell do you accuse them off smuggling pangolins?

Is it illegal to drive a truck full of pangolins around.

If it is a protected species (and it is) then having them is against the law.