Rare red panda discovered among 86 animals in baggage at Thai airport
A rare red panda, classified as endangered, was discovered among a group of 86 animals hidden inside luggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, as confirmed by Thailand's Customs Department in an official announcement on Wednesday.
A red panda, an endangered species, was discovered among 86 other animals inside luggage at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, according to a statement from Thailand's Customs Department on Wednesday.
The red panda was one of the 87 animals found in the luggage belonging to six Indian nationals who have been arrested for attempting to smuggle live animals out of the country, the Thai Customs Department stated. The suspected smugglers, along with the animals, were bound for Mumbai, India, as per the department's information.
On Monday, the Customs Department in Thailand made a discovery of a red panda. Along with this, they found a cotton-top tamarin monkey, a fishing cat, and a Sulawesi bear cuscus in the suitcases of suspected smugglers.
The customs department also came across lizards, snakes, birds, squirrels, and bats among the animals that were found during the inspection.
A cotton-top tamarin monkey was also found in the luggage of a group of Indian nationals attempting to travel to Mumbai, India.
A cotton-top tamarin monkey was also found in the luggage of a group of Indian nationals attempting to travel to Mumbai, India.
Images shared by the Thai Customs Department show animals being transported in various containers such as wicker baskets, plastic tubs, and fabric bags inside big suitcases with wheels. According to the statement, these suitcases were supposed to be loaded onto an airplane.
According to the Thai Customs Department, the individuals suspected of smuggling the animals violated several laws. This includes the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates the international trade of wild species of plants and animals.
The suspects are also accused of attempting to export live animals without declaring them and violating animal disease control laws, as stated by the customs department.
A parrot that was rescued alongside 86 other animals, who were found in wicker baskets, plastic tubs, and fabric bags inside suitcases headed to Mumbai, India.
A parrot that was rescued alongside 86 other animals, who were found in wicker baskets, plastic tubs, and fabric bags inside suitcases headed to Mumbai, India.
In a 2018 report by TRAFFIC, an organization that works against the illegal trade of wild species, it was discovered that between 2009 and 2016, there were 1,346 seizures of wildlife and wildlife products in the air transport industry. Thailand's Customs Department/AFP via Getty Images.
Wildlife trafficking occurred in airports of 136 countries from 2009 to 2017, according to the report. Thailand had the second highest number of incidents worldwide.
The report highlighted the increasing trend of owning exotic pets.
Kanitha Krishnasamy, the director of TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia office, mentioned to CNN on Thursday that there is a high level of trafficking of live animals between Southeast Asia and South Asia. She stated that there have been several cases of live wild animals being smuggled via air between Thailand and India in recent years, with busts occurring in both countries since early 2022.
Krishnasamy believes that the rise in attempted wildlife trafficking into India is driven by a trend of owning exotic pets such as kangaroos, cuscus, and red pandas.
According to Krishnasamy, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the pet market in India to inform future actions, such as implementing stricter regulations and decreasing the demand for exotic animals.
Kocha Olarn reported from Bangkok and Catherine Nicholls wrote from London.
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of a red panda and other endangered species hidden in luggage at Bangkok's airport is a stark reminder of the rampant wildlife trafficking that continues to threaten these precious creatures. The smugglers' intent to transport these animals to India highlights the growing demand for exotic pets in that region. It is imperative that authorities in both Thailand and India collaborate to combat this illegal trade and protect vulnerable species from extinction.
The article also underscores the need for stricter regulations and reduced demand for exotic animals. The pet market in India must be thoroughly investigated to identify and address the root causes of this trend. Public awareness campaigns and education initiatives can play a vital role in discouraging the ownership of wild animals as pets and promoting responsible wildlife conservation practices. By working together, governments, conservation organizations, and the public can create a future where these magnificent animals thrive in their natural habitats.
