In a joint sting operation, two tiger cubs, allegedly purchased from a tiger farm in Chon Buri province for Bt350,000, have been rescued in Surin province.
Two suspects were arrested for allegedly selling the cubs, which are protected animals.
Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, director of the National Parks Office, said that searches at both suspects’ properties also uncovered a large quantity of smuggled ivory.
The operation was conducted by his office and police from Central Investigation Bureau.
As part of the sting, the suspects were lured into buying a male and a female tiger cub from a tiger farm. The suspects purchased the cubs for 200,000 baht and resold them to the officials for 350,000.
Chaiwat said the negotiations took place via Line messages, which will be used as evidence in subsequent legal proceedings.
The tiger cubs were found in the same cage and were suffering from dehydration and diarrhoea.
The suspects were arrested when they handed over the tiger cubs in Surin’s Sankha district.
Chaiwat added that both suspects are also accused of smuggling 48kg of Asian elephant tusks and 49.8kg of African elephant tusks, as well as 19 items made of ivory. The items are worth a combined Bt3 million.
Chaiwat said that the officials had surveilled the traffickers for almost two years and believe that the ring is backed by local and national politicians.
Meanwhile, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director general of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said that he has assigned his officials to inspect all tiger farms in their jurisdiction, to ensure that they strictly follow the regulations or face cancellation of their licenses.
One of the measures will be the control of the number of tigers on a farm, to prevent owners from selling them, Atthaphon said.
The tiger farm in Chon Buri will be a focus, because the suspected vendor promised to provide a total of six tiger cubs, the director general revealed.
