Thai police and wildlife authorities searched a residence in Chonburi province yesterday where a Chinese national has been keeping a white lion cub in contravention of wildlife protection laws.
Police and national park officers were alerted Wednesday by Nong Prue district residents who saw the little lion cub roaming freely around their homes. They told police they were concerned for their safety, according to Lt. Col. Chumpol Sanwichai of Nong Prue police.
The two-story house is located in a luxury villa called Central Park Hillside in Soi Toongklom-Talman. Its owner was identified only as Chen Tai, a 39-year-old Chinese man. He told police that he bought the 3-year-old female cub for THB500,000 from a farm in Chachoengsao province.
The white lion cub is specifically Panthera leo. It’s among 67 wildlife afforded legal protection in the kingdom, and people must obtain permission to possess one.
Pairot Promwat, a veterinarian at the 2nd Wildlife Conservation Office in Sriracha, said that while possession of a white lion cub is not illegal, the owner should obtain permission.
Tai told police that he doesn’t have permission yet. No penalties were reported. The park ranger only “suggested” Tai bring documents about the cub’s purchase to register it with the wildlife conservation office. Tai was also told to keep the cub in his house and not let it roam free in the neighborhood.
