Officials from the Natural Resources Wildlife and Plants Department, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, the South African Embassy and the International Criminal Police Organization, have inspected microchips and related documents belonging to 14 white lions imported to Thailand from South Africa, checking for their legality.
The confiscated lions, two of which are pregnant, were being kept at a residence in the Minburi District of Bangkok.
According to Secretary General Sakda Noppasit, the lions’ importer, Montree Boonprom-orn, does possess the proper documentation for the lions’ import, as specified in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Mr. Sakda said the lions will be sent to a private zoo in Nakhonratchasima Province, adding that his ministry would propose a bill requiring readiness of pet importers to care for the animals before procuring them in order to keep smugglers at bay.
