Bangkok police raid wildlife slaughterhouse

Bangkok wildlife raid (Credit: Thai Nature Crime Police)

The Thai Police have struck at the heart of the wildlife trade in Bangkok by raiding a slaughterhouse used to kill and dismember endangered species such as tigers and elephants. In the raid 7 people were arrested and the Thai police are now chasing the wildlife trafficker involved with the operation.

The raid on the premises in Bangkok saw officers catch the people in the process of chopping up a 400 kg male tiger. The residential building being used as the slaughterhouse contained other dead and dismembered wildlife such as tigers, elephants, crocodiles, endangered birds and even zebras.

Routine stop by police uncovered wildlife crime and trade centre.

The raid was carried out on Saturday night after the local metropolitan police stopped a man walking in the area with blood covering his hands. The man had gone out to buy some plastic bags. The man was stopped in the Yannawa District of Bangkok.

We vow to pursue the case to the fullest and punish all wrong-doers.

The police officers were concerned about the situation and decided to escort the man back to the slaughterhouse where they found 4 others in the process of dismembering the tiger. The house was being used as a processing plant in the production of wildlife trophies. When the metropolitan police discovered the slaughterhouse they called in the Thai Nature Crime Police for specialist help.

Specialist nature crime unit tracking down wildlife trafficker.

The Thai Nature Crime Police are now in the process of tracking down the head of the operation who is believed to have fled Bangkok and may even have left the country.

“This is another important arrest which has led us to a international criminal network,” said the Thai Nature Crime Police Commander, Police Colonel Norasak Hemnithi, “We vow to pursue the case to the fullest and punish all wrong-doers.”

Stuffed tigers heading to Chinese shopping malls.

The police believe that the products from the wildlife slaughterhouse may have been destined for China. The original suspect 33 year old Anucha Seama claimed that the tiger was being stuffed to sell to shopping malls or parks in China. He said it was the second tiger that he had stuffed for export and the tigers could be sold for up to 2 million baht (approx £41,000).

Police tracking down origins of dead wildlife.

They are now in the process of tracking down the origin of the tiger and other animals. The police are working with the Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on the task.

Local wildlife NGO, Freeland, welcomed the discovery and arrests. “Freeland congratulates Thai Police for uncovering and closing down this wildlife butcher’s den,” said its director, Steven Galster. “We suspect some of the animals were bred in, or laundered through, private zoos in Thailand,” he added.

External sites:

Freeland.
ASEAN-WEN.