Thailand will return to Madagascar, from Thursday, a thousand lemurs and turtles seized on its territory, in what the two countries described on Wednesday as the largest operation ever carried out against wildlife trafficking.
The repatriation of 963 ring-tailed lemurs, tawny lemurs, spider tortoises and star tortoises from Madagascar constitutes a “significant step forward”, welcomed Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on at a press conference in Bangkok.
“For the first time, wild animals are being repatriated before the conclusion of the legal proceedings,” he added.
The four species concerned, endemic to Madagascar, are considered threatened under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Upon their arrival on the island, they will be processed by specialized centers, declared Malagasy Minister of the Environment Max Andonirina Fontaine, present in Thailand to supervise the operation.
The turtles and lemurs were captured in May by Thai police in the southern province of Chumphon, in the largest seizure ever made in the kingdom, according to authorities.
Six arrests for trafficking in endangered species
Six people were arrested and prosecuted for trafficking in endangered species. They risk up to 15 years in prison and a fine of 1.5 million bahts (38,000 francs), according to local media.
Thailand is a notorious hub for wildlife trafficking, usually destined for major markets like Vietnam or China, where they are used in traditional medicine.
Southeast Asia plays central role in illegal trade in species endemic to Madagascar, noted a report de l’ONG TRAFFIC of March 2023, indicating that reptiles, amphibians and certain plants were also affected.
ats/sjaq
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