A suspect identified as Faren Kongfu has been arrested in northern Thailand after 16 baby tigers were found in his vehicle.
Kongfu claims that he was paid 15,000 Thai baht (US $489) to transport the tiger cubs — some appear to be just a few weeks old — from Nonthaburi Province to Udon Thani Province in the country’s northeast near Laos, according to ITV News. He faces the possibility of just four years in jail or a 40,000 baht (US $1,301) fine. The confiscated cubs are said to be under the care of wildlife officials in Thailand.
The baby tigers were likely bred in captivity at one of the many “tiger farms” masquerading as “zoos” throughout Southeast Asia and China. These facilities utilize loopholes in the CITES permit system as a front for trafficking tigers and tiger parts. Thailand’s notorious “Tiger Temple” is particularly problematic, and is suspected of supplying tigers to the illegal market while operating under the guise of a tourist attraction.
Approximately 3,200 tigers are still surviving in the wild.
See also:
- Thailand: 4 Tigers Rescued, Suspected Trafficker Arrested
- Vietnam: Frozen Tiger Carcass Found in Vehicle, Two Suspects Arrested
- Global Efforts to Protect Tigers Undermined by China
![Update from Vietnam: Tiger Cubs Rescued, Pangolins Less Fortunate [Video]](https://annamiticus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/500px_Tiger_Cub-150x150.jpg)
Rhishja Cota
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.