Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation is set to repatriate 963 seized wildlife specimens, including ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, spider tortoises, and radiated tortoises, to their native habitat in Madagascar. These animals were confiscated following a major wildlife trafficking operation disrupted in early May 2024.

The operation began on May 1, 2024, when Thai authorities, acting on intelligence, intercepted four vehicles in Chumphon Province. Six suspects were arrested, and 1,117 animals—comprising living and deceased specimens—were seized. The animals, all endemic to Madagascar and classified as critically endangered under CITES Appendix I, highlighted the global significance of the case.

Madagascar’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Max Andonirina Fontaine, visited Thailand’s Bang Phra Waterbird Breeding Station in Chonburi to inspect the animals and engage in discussions with Thai authorities.

Thai officials have now approved the repatriation plan, with the animals to be transported in three phases on November 28, November 30, and December 2, 2024, via Qatar Airways. Minister Fontaine will participate in a handover ceremony on November 27, 2024, at Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, before accompanying the first shipment back to Madagascar.

This repatriation marks a significant milestone in international wildlife conservation efforts and underscores Thailand’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking.