Animal trafficking:maxi seizure in Thailand confirms the extent of the illegal trade

In Thailand, a recent seizure of 48 lemurs and over 1,200 endemic Madagascar tortoises, in danger of extinction, has once again put the spotlight on the global reach of wildlife trafficking networks.The success of the operation was aided by information from a joint transnational investigation between Thai law enforcement and international anti-trafficking organizations working to dismantle networks in Asia, Africa and South America.Among the confiscated animals were ring-tailed lemurs, common brown lemurs, spider tortoises and radiated tortoises, all likely destined for the illegal animal trade in Asia.The story also shed light on limits of the institutions in containing the phenomenon.The government of Madagascar, for example, under the admission of the Madagascar Minister of the Environment herself, should guarantee greater enforcement of the law, fight systemic corruption and strengthen surveillance in the remote protected areas of the country.

Authorities discovered the animals caged and boxed in cramped conditions in six pick-up trucks in Thailand's Chumphon province on May 1.In total, 1,234 tortoises were seized, of which 357 were radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) and 877 spider tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides), both included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a critically endangered species.Among the lemurs, there were 16 ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and 32 common brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus), listed as threatened and vulnerable respectively in the IUCN Red List.The animals were smuggled by sea to Thailand's Satun province via Sumatra, Indonesia, according to Wacharin Pusit, commander of the Royal Thai Police.Pusit also told local media that the cargo was likely destined for markets in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.After the initial seizure, officers found another 179 radiated tortoises, 30 primates and three young crocodiles at a farm linked to the suspects.Overall, the authorities of Madagascar have arrested 18 people in connection with the kidnapping.Trafficking in lemurs and turtles, species protected by Madagascar law, would carry severe penalties, but systemic corruption and lack of law enforcement resources currently complicate the fight against wildlife trafficking.The joint operation between Thai law enforcement and international partners - such as the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Wildlife Justice Commission – has nevertheless dealt a severe blow to global wildlife trafficking.According to the Wildlife Justice Commission, financial losses and arrests related to this latest operation are expected to significantly hamper the network's activities.

All confiscated species are also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).This means that their trade is allowed only with documentation which attests to its non-wild origin.According to the IUCN, 98% of lemur species face extinction in the next 20 years, mainly due to deforestation and hunting.The same goes for the populations of radiated and spider turtles, which have drastically decreased due to poaching for illegal trade.All confiscated specimens are expected to return to Madagascar by the end of July to be rehabilitated and, if possible, reintroduced into the wild.The reintroduction, however, is by no means a given, given that it imposes a expensive and complex passage to quarantine centers where screening is carried out for any contracted diseases.Globally, the scale of wildlife crime is still significant.And this recent seizure only confirms it.Based on seizures made in the period 2015-2021, illegal trade in 162 countries and territories It still affects 4,000 plant and animal species.Of these - according to what has emerged from the new World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 of the UN – 3,250 are listed in CITES.“Despite positive signs in reducing the impacts of trafficking for some iconic species such as elephants and rhinos,” the document explained, “wild animal trafficking overall has not been substantially reduced over the last two decades.”One of the most critical points is the fact that some of the most affected species receive little attention by public opinion, despite poaching seems to have played a decisive role in their local or global extinctions.

[by Simone Valeri]