Update on Recent Pangolin Seizure in Thailand

Rhishja CotaAsia, Mammals, Pangolins, Southeast Asia
At least 40 of the 104 pangolins recently rescued in Thailand have died. Photo &Copy; Annamiticus
At least 40 of the 104 pangolins recently rescued in Thailand have died. Photo © Annamiticus

Last month’s rescue of 104 live pangolins in Thailand has unfortunately turned into a tragedy.

According to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), the pangolins were left at the police station, packed into plastic crates, without care for more than 29 hours. Although the Thai navy officers who made the arrests tried to help by returning to the police station to cool off the pangolins with water, 40 pangolins died during that time. WFFT reports that their staff and dog rescue groups were “not allowed to assist with the medical or any other care” and it is “unclear where the remaining live animals were taken”.

The two pangolin traffickers — who confessed they transported the pangolins from the Thai-Malaysian border — were released on bail within three hours of their arrest. The pair was apprehended on March 26th at the Mekong River during an attempt to smuggle the pangolins to China via Laos.

Based on seizure numbers, an estimated 60,000 pangolins were victims of the illegal trade in 2012.

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I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.