Thai authorities rescue two lions, three bears found caged at Cambodian casino near border

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Thai authorities have rescued five wild animals – two lions and three bears – after finding them caged at Thmor Dar Casino in Cambodia.

PHOTOS: DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL PARKS, WILDLIFE AND PLANT CONSERVATION, THAILAND

BANGKOK – Thai authorities have rescued five wild animals – two lions and three bears – after finding them caged at Thmor Dar Casino in Cambodia, as border tensions in Trat province eased.

The Trat Marine Special Task Force on Dec 22 moved in to secure and clear the Thmor Dar Casino area following an improvement in the situation along the Trat border. During an inspection, officials discovered wildlife being kept and confined in cages: one male lion and one female lion, two male Asiatic black bears and one sun bear.

The task force coordinated with Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to carry out the rescue in line with animal welfare standards. Officials said they are still collecting evidence and checking the animals’ origins in order to take legal action under wildlife conservation laws.

Mr Atthapol Charoenchansa, the director-general of the DNP, said all five animals were found in a severely weakened condition – emaciated with ribs clearly visible – and were believed to have been deprived of water and food for an extended period, leaving them in a critical state.

After being alerted by the military, he ordered the wildlife conservation bureau to rush fully equipped teams to the site to assess the animals and move them immediately.

When officials arrived, they