Environmental police target illegal bird trade

Environmental police target illegal bird trade

This great hornbill was found by police in a car, allegedly being smuggled to a buyer. (Photo US Fish and Wildlife Service via Royal Thai Police)
This great hornbill was found by police in a car, allegedly being smuggled to a buyer. (Photo US Fish and Wildlife Service via Royal Thai Police)

The Forest Protection and Fire Control Office (FPFCO) has lodged a complaint with the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division urging it to investigate five suspected cases of protected wildlife being sold online.

The complaint was filed on Tuesday after the five cases of birds being sold illegally were found posted on a popular Facebook page called Maem Pho Dam, said Siri Akaakara, director of the FPFCO.

Citing the information provided by the Facebook page, Mr Siri said Wednesday the first case involves another Facebook account called "Khonraknok Nakhonsi" that has been selling baby wreathed hornbills and oriental pied hornbills.

The user has checked in at locations in the central Muang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Mr Siri said.

The second case involves the sale of baby great hornbills and the user has checked in at Ratchaburi, he said.

The other cases also involve birds, including crab-eating macaques and pig-tailed macaques, with the account owners having checked in at various locations nationwide, he said.

These cases are clear violations of the law on wildlife conservation and protection, he said, adding legal action will be taken.

The public can report cases by calling a 24-hour hotline (1362).

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