From leopards to corals, Thailand’s wildlife raids uncover the bizarre and the heartbreaking
BANGKOK, Sept 11 — Nawee Changpirom has spent years working to rescue trafficked wildlife in Thailand, but ev...
Thailand's wildlife trafficking units have uncovered a diverse range of illegally obtained animals, from big cats to corals, in an effort to curb the widespread and profitable illegal trade. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has set up a dedicated Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit (WCU) to track and intercept illegal purchases, primarily through social media.
Uncover officers use clever methods, such as posing as repairmen or land surveyors, to gather evidence that allows them to obtain court warrants for seizing the animals. Despite their efforts, some cases result in animals arriving too late or already in a weakened state due to the trauma of smuggling. Younger animals often struggle to adapt to life outside their natural habitats and may never fully recover.
The illegal wildlife trade is driven by the demand for exotic pets, with many of the rescued animals destined for India. While traffickers can face significant prison sentences, enforcement remains a challenge due to limited resources and social media's resistance to cooperation.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
