Thailand told to return orangutans

ProFauna, an Indonesian non-governmental organization working to protect endangered animals, renewed its demand on Monday for Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra to order the return of Indonesian orangutans currently inhabiting Bangkok's tourism center Safari World.

"Some 115 orangutans in Safari World were allegedly illegally- traded from Kalimantan," ProFauna Indonesia's director Rozek Nursaid told The Jakarta Post.

A number of ProFauna members held a rally (photo above) in front of the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta to voice their demand.

ProFauna said its findings revealed that 1,000 orangutans are smuggled for US$45,000 each from Kalimantan to Java and even to other countries every year. The Thai Embassy has promised to send the orangutans back to their origin upon completion of the legal process, but to date, no animals have been returned, Rozek said.

Thaksin visited Indonesia for the Asian-African Summit, which concluded on Sunday.

Thailand is among countries that support the establishment of the South East Asian Regional Law Enforcement Network to Combat Crimes against Nature.

Rozek regretted Thailand's slow response to ProFauna's demand. --JP