Massive rare animal haul found in Thai truck

Thai authorities have seized over 3,000 rare animals in the biggest wildlife trafficking raid reported in the south-east Asian nation this year.

Customs department director-general Prasong Poontaneat said officials confiscated 2,721 monitor lizards, 717 turtles, 44 civets and 20 snakes after stopping a truck in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan.


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The animals are protected by a convention on international trade in endangered species of which Thailand is a member. Mr Prasong said the truck's driver was also detained.

He said that the animals were worth more than four million Thai baht (£83,600) and were being trafficked through the region.