BANGKOK —
Thai police say they have seized the carcasses of tigers and other big cats believed to have been destined for consumption in China.
Police Lt. Col. Theerapat Tharithai says a Thai man and a Vietnamese man were arrested Wednesday in a raid at a house in Bangkok's suburbs. He says police had trailed them from southern Thailand after receiving a tip-off.
Theerapat says the carcasses of one complete Bengal tiger, two halves of another, one panther and a fishing cat were found in freezers. He says the suspects told police the carcasses were smuggled from Malaysia and were destined for China.
Thailand is a major market and transit point for wildlife products, such as tiger parts and elephant ivory.
Two tiger carcasses found – Traffickers refused bail
Two suspects were arrested in Thailand yesterday after they smuggled carcasses of 2 tigers, 1 leopard and 1 golden cat from Southern Thailand to Bangkok. TigerTime is incredibly saddened by this recent seizure, although impressed with the tough steps Thailand’s Nature Crime Police are taking to track down wildlife traffickers.
Since the arrest, the Thai Police have refused bail for the Thai and Vietnamese suspects as they investigate the situation further. The police believe that the suspects may have criminal connections in four neighbouring countries.
The arrest took place after agents from Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division Bureau (CSD) identified and followed a truck travelling from the Malaysian border to Eastern Bangkok. The CSD agents received a warrant and subsequently found the four carcasses.
TigerTime founder David Shepherd CBE commented, "This seizure is a step in the right direction and I applaud the efforts of the Thai Police to end the illegal tiger trade. We can all show our continued support through TigerTime and help create change”.
People power can make a difference. Join the TigerTime movement here.
For TigerTime’s and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's work with FREELAND to save tigers in Thailand click here
Source and Photo: FREELAND
Written by: Chantelle M Henderson
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