Thailand

Protected hornbill dies from gunshot wound, 2 suspects in police custody

Published

Friday, November 27, 2020 15:32

PHOTO: Facebook: เผด็จ ศิริดำรง

A protected great hornbill died after 5 days of medical treatment for a severe gunshot wound. 2 suspects are now in police custody and officers have seized a .22 calibre rifle, according to Thai PBS.

A tourist found the injured bird near the Khiriphet waterfall on Koh Chang. The hornbill, known in Thai as a nok nguek, was treated at the Nuern Plub Wan animal hospital in Chon Buri. The great hornbill’s condition rapidly deteriorated and veterinarian Phadet Siriadmrong says the hornbill suffered brain stem death.

The great hornbill, Buceros Bicornis, is listed as a vulnerable species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. According to IUCN, hunting his substantial threat to the great hornbill.

Hunting poses a substantial threat to the species. Because of its predictable behaviour when regularly visiting the same feeding sites, it is easily targeted by local hunters.

Thailand’s Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act prohibits hunting preserved or protected wild animals. Those found guilty of violating the act could face up to 4 years in prison and a fine up 40,000 baht.

SOURCES: Thai PBS | Bangkok Post | IUCN

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9 Comments

Derek

Friday, November 27, 2020 at 3:39 pm

Lock them up what they did was terrible

Reply
- AI
  
  Friday, November 27, 2020 at 7:36 pm
  
  What’s the point of shooting/slaying such an animal? Another case of exotic food or medicines? Target practice? Duuuuuuuhhhh…………
  
  Reply
  - James Pate
    
    Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 2:53 am
    
    Senseless and shameful.
    
    Reply
JIM KELLY

Friday, November 27, 2020 at 6:52 pm

thai cretins!!! And, on this one, I’m happy to add my name… JIM KELLY LAMPHUN! Some of these people disgust me for their behaviour towards the value of “LIFE”! Then, in the same breath, when someone in their family dies… ooooohhh, it’s a different story then!!!

Reply
Issan John

Friday, November 27, 2020 at 8:45 pm

Since Premchai Karnasuta was jailed, that’s probably a given.

Reply
Saki

Friday, November 27, 2020 at 8:54 pm

An eye for an eye, shoot the bastards the same way they shot the poor defenceless bird.

Reply
- preesy chepuce
  
  Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 12:31 am
  
  It’s a bird, man. Take a time out. Sure humans are animals too, but no animal has a special right to exist, just because humans find them interesting. Nature is hideously cruel, and environmentalism is strangely unscientific. Having said all that, I do agree with the hostility towards the attackers; I just find the start point a bit weird.
  
  Reply
  - Alan
    
    Monday, November 30, 2020 at 3:32 am
    
    Give your head a shake. With an attitude like yours Thailand could end up being a blood bath.
    
    Reply
Maag

Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 4:57 am

Lock them up for years.. bastards !

Reply

Caitlin Ashworth

Caitlin Ashworth is a writer from the United States who has lived in Thailand since 2018. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies in 2016. She was a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette In Massachusetts. She also interned at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

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