PUBLISHED: 30 Dec 2024 at 06: 07
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation ( DNP ) has unearthed details of the gorilla baby smuggling network based at Chatuchak Market, says DNP director-general Atthapol Charoenchansa.
A wealthy businessman who collects amazing animals was the buyer who attempted to import a baby gorilla from Turkey, he claimed, without giving any further details.
He also mandated a market crackdown for his involvement in the shipment of the gorilla, which is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( Cites ) and is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) and is listed as endangered.
The Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on December 21seized the child monkey after it was brought on a journey from Nigeria to Bangkok and placed in a wooden field. The package was supposed to contain 50 rats.
According to Mr. Atthapol, the maker of the purchase resides in Asia and keeps wild animals in his collection.
According to researchers, the situation was connected to a Chatuchak Market store, which sells and orders exotic animals from abroad. He said,” People who want exotic creatures go there because there is a system for importing and exporting wild animals.”
Authorities conducted a search of the pet store on Friday, according to Pol Maj Gen Watcharin Phusit, the NED’s chief. The TK Farm in Nakhon Pathom, which authorities raided on December 25, owns the store. The business is a registered supplier and producer of animals.
Police also invited the agency’s owner to a meeting at the location to get more details, but he refused and turned his cellphone off. Researchers examined whether the boxes used to buy rabbits were the same size as those used to transfer gorillas. According to authorities, the plantation owner claimed the containers had been destroyed.
” If the land owner is really stupid, he may have told the authorities and told us how many days he had imported creatures into Thailand and what kinds of animals were,” he said.
Police Maj Gen Watcharin stated that the officers are aware of the identity of the stranger suspected of being involved but need to conduct further investigation. Authorities may launch an investigation with the Department of Livestock Development or the Customs Department.