Thais seize animals smuggled from Indonesia

Thais seize animals smuggled from Indonesia

BANGKOK (Reuter): Thai customs officials said yesterday they had seized a large consignment of animals smuggled from Indonesia, including dozens of endangered crocodiles and exotic birds.

The animals were found stuffed into cages and boxes aboard a cargo ship which arrived at Samut Sakorn port, just south of Bangkok, late last week, officials said.

Many of the animals were found dead, the officials said.

Among the survivors were 70 young salt water crocodiles, which were apparently destined for breeders in Thailand who would raise the animals for their skins.

Also found were 40 cockatoos, one emu, two wallabies and four large, crested birds which the Thai officials were unable to identify.

Senior customs department official Chavalit Metheekul told reporters the animals would be cared for by Bangkok zoo and the forestry department until they were returned to Indonesia.

The Thai captain of the ship which brought the animals to Thailand, the I.M.G. 3, was arrested on charges of violating laws on the international trade in wildlife, Chavalit said.

Thailand is a signatory of the CITES treaty on the trade of endangered species.