Red Panda Found Smuggled Inside Luggage at Bangkok Airport
International Wildlife Smuggling Incident
An endangered red panda has been discovered along with 86 other animals inside luggage at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s Customs Department reported on Wednesday. The animals were found in the suitcases of six Indian nationals who have been arrested for attempting to smuggle them out of the country. The suspects and the animals were destined for Mumbai, India.
A Startling Contraband
Among the animals found in the luggage were a cotton-top tamarin monkey, a fishing cat, and a Sulawesi bear cuscus. In addition to that, the Thai Customs Department also found numerous lizards, snakes, birds, squirrels, and bats. The scale of the smuggling operation was brought to light with images released in conjunction with the customs department’s statement, which depicted animals packed in wicker baskets, plastic tubs, and fabric bags within the suitcases that were intended to be loaded onto an airplane.
Legal Violations
The suspects are accused of multiple offenses, including violating the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates the international trade of wild animal and plant species. In addition, they are charged with attempting to export live animals without declaration and violating animal disease control laws.
A Disturbing Trend in Wildlife Trafficking
Experts have noted a concerning rise in the trafficking of live animals between Southeast Asia and South Asia, with Thailand and India being key nations involved. According to Kanitha Krishnasamy, Director of TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia office, there have been several recent cases of live wild animal smuggling via air between the two countries. Krishnasamy attributes the heightened smuggling to a surge in the demand for exotic pets, including kangaroos, cuscus, and red pandas. “A robust understanding of the contemporary pet market is needed to guide future interventions, including strengthened regulation and reducing demand,” Krishnasamy highlighted.
A Global Issue
A 2018 report by TRAFFIC reveals that between 2009 and 2016, there were 1,346 seizures of wildlife and wildlife products in the air transport sector. More specifically, the study highlights a prevalence of wildlife smuggling in 136 countries, with Thailand reporting the second-highest number of incidents in the world.
