Wildlife crackdown: Claws out for illegal tiger biz in Thailand

Following the arrest of illegal tiger cubs and ivory traffickers, the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation ordered a thorough inspection of all tiger farms, with strict actions promised against any illegal activities.

This move, yesterday, July 15, is part of the intensifying efforts to clamp down on illegal wildlife trade in Thailand.

The Director-General, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, today revealed that Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, Director of the National Parks Office and Special Operations Advisor for the Wildlife Protection Unit (Phaya Suea), led a team of officers to apprehend a group involved in cross-border wildlife trade in Surin province.

The operation stemmed from information received by Chaiwat, regarding an ongoing international wildlife smuggling operation in Surin. Undercover agents arranged a deal with the traffickers to purchase six tiger cubs and ivory yesterday in Sangkha district.

At around 6.55pm, a suspicious black sedan parked behind the undercover vehicle. The undercover agent confirmed the presence of the wildlife and signalled for the officers to make the arrest.

Two individuals were arrested, identified as 51 year old Korarit, and 48 year old Manat, both residents of Surin. The seized contraband included two tiger cubs, one male and one female, approximately two to three months old. The cubs were found in poor health, suffering from diarrhoea, dehydration, and malnutrition.

Additionally, the officials confiscated four pieces of Asian elephant ivory weighing 48 kilogrammes, 26 pieces of African elephant ivory weighing 49.8 kilogrammes, and 19 ivory products weighing a total of 897 grammes. The total value of the seized items was estimated at around 3,000,000 baht.

The suspects were charged with violating the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019 for possessing and trading wildlife carcasses, and the Ivory Act of 2015 for possessing and trading ivory.

The confiscated items were documented and handed over to the Dom Police Station for further investigation, while the tiger cubs were transferred to the Chulabhorn Wildlife Breeding Station for care.

Atthaphon emphasised that he had instructed all subordinate units to inspect every tiger farm rigorously. Any violations of licensing conditions, particularly illegal sales of tigers, would result in immediate suspension or revocation of licenses and strict enforcement of the law, reported KhaoSod.