Police Seize Illegal Wildlife in Songkhla Luxury Home Raid
SONGKHLA, Thailand – Authorities from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) raided a luxurious residence in Mueang district, Songkhla province, seizing illegal wildlife kept on the property.
The operation was led by Police Major General Watcharin Pusit, director of the DNP, alongside Police Colonel Atthapol Phonprom and officials from the Songkhla Conservation Area Office 6. The raid followed reports of unauthorized possession of dangerous wildlife.
Exotic Animals and Ivory Seized
Upon inspection, authorities discovered a female white lion and a male liger—a hybrid between a lion and a tiger—inside the residence. Additionally, two large elephant tusks were found.
The owner, identified as Gomate, was not present during the search, prompting officials to confiscate the animals and ivory as evidence, according to reports from KhaoSod. Authorities will summon Gomate for questioning to verify whether the wildlife and ivory were legally owned. Preliminary charges include possession of controlled wildlife without notifying authorities, in violation of national conservation laws.
Related Case: Tiger Cub Incident in Chanthaburi
In a separate incident on February 26th, police and veterinary teams responded to a tiger cub escape in Chanthaburi province. The cub, which was being transported to a police station, was struck by a vehicle, suffering a broken hind leg and internal injuries. The exact cause of the injuries remains unclear.
Following a tip-off about illegal wildlife possession, Police Colonel Tharathep Tupanich, deputy commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, led an investigation at a rental property in Mueang district. Officers discovered that a Chinese national had been caring for the tiger cub, leading to his arrest under sections 18 and 19 of wildlife protection laws.
At the same location, police also found a three-year-old male lion named Simba. Due to its size, officials are closely monitoring the lion before relocating it to a safer facility.
These incidents highlight Thailand’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and enforce stricter conservation laws. Authorities continue to investigate and take legal action against those involved in the unauthorized trade and possession of endangered animals.
