Thousands of Endangered Lemurs, Tortoises Returned to Madagascar in Historic Repatriation
Over 1,000 endangered lemurs and tortoises, seized in Thailand in one of the country’s largest wildlife trafficking busts, have been successfully repatriated to Madagascar, Al Jazeera reports.
The three-stage airlift, completed on December 12, marked the culmination of a seven-month effort involving Thai wildlife authorities, veterinarians, and international partners, and represents the largest wildlife repatriation for both Thailand and Madagascar.
In May, Thai authorities, acting on a tip-off from an ongoing international investigation involving the Royal Thai Police, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wildlife Justice Commission, UNODC, and Interpol, intercepted a shipment of 1,109 lemurs and tortoises originating from Madagascar. The animals, smuggled through Indonesia and Malaysia, were destined for the lucrative global exotic pet market. Unfortunately, 132 tortoises and one lemur perished before the repatriation.
The surviving 977 animals – 16 ring-tailed lemurs, 31 brown lemurs, 155 radiated tortoises, and 758 spider tortoises – all listed as vulnerable or critically endangered by the IUCN Red List – received intensive care at a wildlife breeding center in Chonburi before their journey. The repatriation faced logistical hurdles and twice-delayed flights due to the complex international transport regulations for endangered species. Qatar Airways and Airlink ultimately sponsored the flights from Bangkok to Antananarivo via Johannesburg.
Thailand, identified in a 2023 report as Southeast Asia’s top importer of legally traded wildlife from Madagascar, has also recorded the highest number of illegal seizures from Madagascar outside of the island nation itself, underscoring the challenge in combating the trade.
He stressed that the repatriation is just one step in a long-term fight against wildlife trafficking, with ongoing investigations into the source of the seized animals.
Upon arrival in Madagascar, the animals will undergo quarantine before being released into five specialized centers in nature reserves across the island.
