Frenchman charged for illegally possessing baby macaques

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In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 15 Nov 2024 at 11: 27

Three of four baby macaques found at a house rented by a Frenchman in Prawet district during a search by authorities on Thursday. (Photo: Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department's Facebook)
During a Thursday seek by the authorities, three of four child macaques were discovered at a Frenchman’s house in the Prawet district. ( Photo: Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department’s Facebook )

Four fresh chimps were discovered by a Frenchman after sharing their photos on social media.

Four monkeys were discovered at the man’s home in Prawet area, Bangkok, on Thursday, according to Naruphon Thipmontha of the Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department.

Jamil Zinedine was given his identity by the government’s PR office.

The research, authorised by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court, was prompted by Mr Zinedine’s TikTok content featuring the newborn animals.

The stranger claimed to have purchased the creatures from an unidentified man and raised them out of personal interest while renting the house while he was in Thailand.

One of the species that the law protects are the lemurs. They are required to obtain possession permits from authorities because they are included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( Cites ).

Offenders face fines of up to 500, 000 ringgit and/or imprisonment for up to five years.

The official did not specify Mr. Zinedine’s punishment, who is alleged to have estimated the four lemurs ‘ worth at around 30 000 baht. The Wildlife Conservation Office received each item for tending.