Madagascar welcomes nearly 1,000 endangered animals back home
Late November marked a significant milestone in wildlife conservation as Thailand repatriated nearly 1,000 endangered animals to Madagascar. This repatriation effort is considered the largest of its kind between the two nations.
These animals were rescued by Thai police during an anti-wildlife trafficking operation in Chumphon province in May. Among them were critically endangered species such as Madagascar spider tortoises, other terrestrial tortoises, ring-tailed lemurs, and brown lemurs. According to the CITES Convention, all these species are on the brink of extinction and are listed as requiring urgent global protection.
A ring-tailed lemur after being rescued in a wildlife trafficking crackdown in Thailand. (Photo: Ana Norman Bermudez/Al Jazeera)
A total of 1,117 animals were seized, but unfortunately, eight had perished. Some of the remaining animals were found to be in poor condition due to lack of food and water during smuggling, while others succumbed to the stress of captivity.
A brown lemur after being rescued in a wildlife trafficking crackdown in Thailand. (Photo: Ana Norman Bermudez/Al Jazeera)
Therefore, only 961 animals were successfully repatriated by air. Richard Scobey, Executive Director of TRAFFIC, stated: “Madagascar’s biodiversity is globally unique, but many of the island’s rare species face constant pressure from the illegal wildlife trade. This repatriation effort is a true testament to the power of international cooperation in addressing the wildlife trafficking crisis.”
A Madagascar spider tortoise after being rescued in a wildlife trafficking crackdown in Thailand. (Photo: Ana Norman Bermudez/Al Jazeera)
A 2023 TRAFFIC report exposed the alarming scale of wildlife trafficking between Madagascar and Southeast Asia, particularly targeting species like tortoises and lemurs to meet the demand for “exotic pets”. Thailand was identified as the primary hub for this trade in the region. With its unique biodiversity, Madagascar is at risk of losing many rare species due to smuggling.
However, this significant seizure and repatriation effort offers hope. It is seen as a major victory in the fight against illegal wildlife trade, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in both Thailand and Madagascar. This effort also demonstrates that protecting animals and their habitats is not solely the responsibility of individual nations but a collective global endeavor.
Source: traffic.org
