Monkeys, pythons, a raccoon … An Indian was arrested at Bangkok International Airport as he was about to take a flight with 17 live animals in his suitcases, agents reported on Wednesday August 17 Thai Wildlife Protection.
“Authorities arrested a man trying to smuggle animals to India”, said division chief Prasert Sonsatapornkul. The fauna and flora protection service discovered eight marmosets, a fennec, a raccoon, three iguanas, two monitor lizards and two white pythons on Tuesday evening, in plastic baskets hidden behind food, during a X-ray suitcase check.
An increase in traffic to India
Abilash Annaduri, 21, was to fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, to Chennai (another name for Madras), in eastern India. He was arrested by the police who accuse him of wildlife trafficking. Authorities have estimated the market value of these animals, some of which do not live in the wild in Thailand, at around $2,700. The animals found were sent to veterinarians for examinations.
“We did not find any microchip on these animals, so we do not know where they came from”, said Prasert Sonsatapornkul, who noticed a rise in cases of trafficking to India. At the end of June, two Indian women were arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport when they wanted to travel to Madras with more than 100 live animals in their luggage, including 35 turtles and 50 chameleons.
