In a large repatriation operation, nearly a thousand smuggled macaques and turtles were returned to Madagascar from Thailand. Thailand is considered a center for the illegal wildlife trade.
Nearly a thousand macaques and turtles smuggled there from Thailand have been returned to Madagascar, news reports Al-Jazeera. It is the largest ever repatriation of wild animals between Thailand and Madagascar.
Thailand has long been a center for both legal and illegal wildlife trade. Between 2001 and 2021, Thailand recorded the most seizures of wildlife illegally smuggled from Madagascar.
Madagascar’s unique natural and animal diversity makes the country a prime target for poachers and smugglers. 90 percent of the species found in Madagascar are species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.
Madagascar’s Minister of the Environment Max Andonirina Fontaine said international wildlife trade is a huge threat to the country.
– After the loss of habitats, it is the second biggest reason for the decrease in biodiversity, he said.
More than a thousand animals confiscated
In May of this year, Thai authorities seized a shipment of 1,109 endangered Maki and turtles from Madagascar. It was one of the largest wildlife smuggling seizures in the country.
Acting on a tip, Thai authorities followed the convoluted route of an illegal wildlife shipment through different countries and managed to seize the shipment.
Had the animals not been rescued, they almost certainly would have been sold into the multi-billion dollar global exotic pet market.
After the seizure, Thai authorities found 131 dead turtles among the animals in poor condition. In the following weeks, one more lemur and 17 turtles died.
The animals were returned in a major operation
In June, the Madagascar government announced its intention to repatriate the animals rescued from Thailand. However, the repatriation was accompanied by huge financial and logistical problems.
In August, Qatar Airways and South African airline Airlink offered to sponsor flights to return the animals. Despite administrative delays, the animals were eventually returned during November and December.
The returned animals still have to go through quarantine before being transferred to special centers in Madagascar’s nature reserves. Environment Minister Fontaine said that the goal is to eventually release the animals into their natural environment.