Rescue Operation: Emaciated Tigers and Leopards Transferred from Mukdahan Zoo for Urgent Care

Mukdahan—

On December 22nd, 2023, Mr. Phadet Laithong, the director of the department’s Wildlife Conservation Office, stated to Thai national media that Wildlife and Plant Conservation officers performed an inspection and transferred fifteen unhealthy tigers and leopards in Mukdahan zoo to the Wildlife Friends Foundation for further nurture and medical treatment.

First, see here for our previous report on the raid against this zoo that found the animals in poor health recently.

According to Phadet, Thai national park officers had inspected the zoo in Mukdahan before and revoked a license to operate the zoo. The zoo then was able to legally transport or trade animals to other private zoos, however, the Mukdahan zoo was unable to do so.

As a result, the Wildlife Friends Foundation reported to the relevant agencies to rescue the animals, said Phadet.

Mr. Edwin Wiek, the Secretary-General of the Wildlife Friends Foundation, publicly revealed to Thai national media that the foundation transferred emaciated tigers and leopards from the Mukdahan zoo to a new home in Phetchaburi.

However, there were 23 tigers and leopards in total with 15 of them being unhealthy or emaciated. Edwin said that the tigers would take at least 10 days of recovery before being medically operated on. All of the tigers would be fine overall due to receiving expert care, assured Edwin.

This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.