CITES species stamps

Tiger cub confiscated at Suvarnabhumi Airport destined for Iran

(Bangkok, 23 August 2010) The Airport Authorities (AOT), Immigration Police and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand seized and rescued a tiger cub (Panthera tigris) at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Airport Authorities (AOT) discovered a suspicious animal during X-Ray inspection and called for the Wildlife Checkpoint.

Further luggage inspection detected the 2-month old tiger cub that was tranquilized and hidden among stuffed tiger toys in the suspect's carry-on luggage. It is suspected that the tiger cub was destined for customers in Iran. However, information on its origin, species and if it was captive-bred are yet unknown. Currently, the tiger cub is at the Rescue Center of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for care and DNA-testing to be sent to the tiger enclosure at Khaopratab Wildlife Rescue Center in Ratchaburi Province.

The remaining species of tigers are categorized as critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and listed under Appendix I under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibiting international trade.

The female suspect has been detained and investigations are still ongoing.

Khun Manop Lauprasert, Senior Officer of the Program Coordination Unit of the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) applauds the great cooperative team-work among Airport Authorities and Wildlife enforcement officers at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport leading to the discovery of the tiger cub. “The discovery of the tiger cub is a great example of the efficiency of trainings on wildlife detection, wildlife law and increased awareness on the illegal wildlife trade. We are all very happy to have saved this tiger cub from entering the illegal trade.”

ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN)
Program Coordination Unit