A current raid in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi, led to the discovery of 14 deceased macaques and 5 more in misery, locked up with out food or water. The provincial wildlife protection area director, Prawet Sunthornthai, led the wildlife conservation staff that searched the rented home in Ban Khao Mainual, tambon Khao Yai, after receiving a tip from a neighbour.
The search followed the arrest of six members of a wildlife trafficking gang within the Muang district of Phetchaburi final week. Local police discovered the gang capturing long-tailed macaques within the foothills of Khao Luang, tambon Thongchai. The officers witnessed four men and two women utilizing tranquilliser darts to catch the monkeys before apprehending them and saving over 10 macaques within the process. The authorities additionally seized three autos, 80 tranquilliser darts, a bag of animal feed, and other items from the group.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to travelling from Sa Kaeo to capture macaques for a buyer who would pay them between 1,000 and a pair of,000 baht for each animal. Limited insisted that they did not know the customer and that this was their first time engaging in such activity.
The police charged the group with colluding to hunt wild animals without permission, unlawful possession of wild animals, and illegally trading in wildlife, reported Bangkok Post..