Tiger cub found hidden among toys in Thai airport luggage

[BaaBaa.]

Tiger cub found hidden among toys in Thai airport luggage

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A two-month-old tiger cub was discovered hidden with a stuffed tiger toys in the baggage of a woman heading to Iran from Thailand, wildlife protection officials said Friday.

The 31-year-old Thai woman, who has not been named, was arrested on Sunday night after the tiger was spotted by X-ray staff in overweight luggage destined for the cargo hold.

An official from the Wild Fauna and Flora Protection Division said the cub was drugged and placed in the bag with the toys -- apparently to make it appear as if it were a stuffed animal.

"He was very calm, half asleep and half awake when we rescued him," he said.

The cub was found at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport and has since been sent to a rescue centre.

It is not yet known whether the animal was wild or had been bred in captivity.

The woman, who admitted carrying the tiger, according to officials, faces four years in prison, a 40,000-baht (1,280-dollar) fine or both for possessing and smuggling an endangered animal.

Manop Lauprasert, of the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network applauded the successful operation.

"We are all very happy to have saved this tiger cub from entering the illegal trade," he said.

[Vital Spark]

I do hope, for the cub's sake, that he isn't given to the Tiger Temple at Kanchanaburi otherwise he'll end up totally addicted to drugs.

VS

[migrant]

I do hope, for the cub's sake, that he isn't given to the Tiger Temple at Kanchanaburi otherwise he'll end up totally addicted to drugs.

VS

They should send the lady smuggler there.

[kendo]

Four years in captivity for this very stupid women, not nearly enough in my opinion, she should spend at least the average life span of that breed of tiger in the slammer as a warning to others.
Lets hope that she gets bitten by the big tiger in jail.

Kendo.

[kendo]

This story read first on HHAD now it's a top story on Yahoo UK home page, seeing that picture of that tiger cub just makes me feel angry, what a selfish world we live in.


Breaking News

Tiger Cub Hidden In Suitcase With Stuffed Toy


A Thai woman has been detained by airport authorities in Bangkok after they found a drugged tiger cub stashed alongside a stuffed toy in her luggage.

The 31-year-old, who was booked to fly to Iran, had checked in with an overweight suitcase, so it was sent away to be X-rayed by officials.

According to wildlife trade monitoring group Traffic, a live animal was detected and, when the bag was opened, a sedated baby tiger was discovered.

The cub, estimated to be about three months old, was sent on to a wildlife conservation centre in Bangkok.

Chaiyaporn Chareesaeng, head of the centre's wildlife health unit, said the animal has been under close supervision.

"He appeared exhausted, dehydrated and couldn't walk, so we had to give him oxygen, water and lactation," he said.

"We have monitored him closely. As of today, he looks better and can walk a little now."

The woman, identified as Piyawan Palasarn, was charged with wildlife smuggling. If found guilty, she faces up to four years in prison and a 40,000 baht (£824) fine.

She has denied the suitcase was hers, telling authorities another passenger had asked her to carry it for them.

The cub could have fetched about 100,000 baht (£2,060) on the black market in Iran, where it is popular to have exotic pets.

But Nirath Nipanant, chief of the airport's wildlife checkpoint, said the baby tiger may not have even made the journey.

"I was a bit shocked because an animal isn't supposed to be treated like this," he said.

"Had the animal passed the oversize baggage check and gone through four to five hours of travel, its chances of survival would have been slim."

A DNA test was expected to provide details about the baby tiger's origin, wildlife officials added.

Kendo.

[sandman67]

Id suggest a just punishment would involve a roll of gaffa/duct tape, a large DHL box and a label saying AFGHANISTAN - ONE WAY ONLY/NO RETURN.