A well-respected wildlife rescue center and elephant reserve, known collectively as Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, was recently raided by armed officials from Thailand’s Department of National Parks after WFFT spoke out against the department’s potential involvement in the poaching of elephants in Thailand’s national parks.
The officials from the DNP claim that WFFT does not have sufficient paperwork for the animals in its care, which was the reason for the raid of the elephant reserve and wildlife rescue center facilities, although the organization claims the officials refuse to see the paperwork, of which they indicate they have legitimate copies available.
In raiding the reserve, the armed officials neglected to show any semblance of care with the animals living there under WFFT’s watch. Videos and photos have emerged online, showing animals bleeding, being beaten, dragged, and otherwise abused by DNP officials. Many of these animals were rescued from abusive situations before being taken to WFFT. The DNP’s brutal treatment of them during the confiscation will likely cause further trauma to the animals, and does not bode well for their futures.
According to this National Geographic article, more than 100 animals, “including Asian elephants, gibbons, leopard cats, civets, and macaques,” were confiscated from WFFT by the DNP during the raid.
Watch a compilation of videos and photographs of the raid on YouTube.
Many former volunteers and other supportive parties have stated that the Department of National Parks is notorious for keeping animals in substandard conditions, and that it is not uncommon for animals to disappear entirely when in their possession. Concerned parties also find it disconcerting that the DNP is confiscating endangered and exotic animals when there are allegations afloat that the department maintain ties with poachers and wealthy individuals who specifically seek exotic animals.
This author volunteered at WFFT briefly in 2009. Without even staying very long, it became obvious that cleaning these animals’ enclosures, feeding them, and doing everything involved in caring for them on a day-to-day basis was extremely difficult work. However, the work was difficult because the organization, its leaders and its volunteers do everything they possibly can to improve the lives of the animals in their care. Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, an organization known for its world-changing work, truly puts the animals first.
If Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand chooses to file a lawsuit, they will need tremendous financial support.
To find out more about Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, and to offer a donation, visit their website at wfft.org.
Readers may be interested in signing this petition on Care2, An Urgent Plea for Rescued Thai Wildlife.
To follow updates on the situation from WFFT, search the hashtag #wfft on Twitter, and “like” the Wildlife Friends Foundation Facebook page.
Reconsidering your plans to travel to Thailand?
Readers who wish to contact Thailand’s Tourism Authority should email [email protected], call Call: 6602 250 5500, Fax: 6602 250 5511 , or send post to:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Phetchaburi Road
Makkasan, Ratchathewi
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Also see:
Armed Thai Officials Raid Wildlife Rescue NGO on National Geographic
Thai Wildlife Group Raided for Criticizing Elephant Poaching on Voice of America News
Elephant Rearing and Elephants Abused in the Tourist Industry in Thailand Site by PETA