Thailand is sending nearly a thousand endangered turtles and lemurs back to Madagascar. The measure is considered a historic victory against animal trafficking. The first batch is on its way to the African country this Saturday (30).
According to Thai authorities, this was the largest repatriation ever carried out between the two countries.
In total, Thai police claimed to have recovered 1,117 animals in operations against illegal trafficking of species. However, it will only be possible to return 961, as the other animals did not survive the precarious conditions, such as lack of food and water when they were smuggled.
Among the species were spider turtles, radiate turtles, ring-tailed lemurs and brown lemurs, all of which are highly endangered on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list.
Many of them are sought after in Asia as exotic pets, although it is extremely difficult to reproduce their natural habitat, which often puts their lives at risk.
Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, said the repatriation shows the country’s commitment to combating illegal wildlife trafficking, as well as prioritizing the well-being of seized species.
Attapol Charoenchansa, director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told CNN which expects the operations to have a deterrent effect.
“By carrying out trapping operations like this and showing them globally, we can raise awareness among people around the world that owning these animals is not okay,” said Charoenchansa.
“Some may think that if they have money they can buy and collect them, but that is not the case.” added the director.
UK-based conservation group Traffic said in a statement that the repatriation was “a true testament to the power of international collaboration to tackle the wildlife trafficking crisis”.
Environmental threat
The illegal timber and wildlife trade is the second biggest threat to Madagascar’s biodiversity, the group Traffic said in a 2023 report.
Considered the largest importer of Madagascar’s wildlife in Southeast Asia, Thailand plays “a vital role” in the trade of some of Madagascar’s most endangered species.
This content was originally published in Thailand will return almost a thousand animals that were trafficked from Madagascar on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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