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Wildlife officials arrest slow loris tout at Bang Tao Beach

Wildlife officials arrest slow loris tout at Bang Tao Beach

PHUKET: Wildlife officials with local police arrested a man at Bang Tao Beach yesterday (Nov 11) for using a slow loris to lure tourists to pay to have their photo taken the nocturnal animal.

animalscrimetourism
By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Monday 12 November 2018 12:52 PM


 

Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area Conservation Centre Chief Piyawat Sukon confirmed that he and his wildlife officers, accompanied by officers from Cherng Talay Police, arrested the man in front of a Family Mart convenience store near the beach at 4:30pm.

The man was identified as Nares Sang-agart, 32, from Nakhon Sawan.

“He confessed that he kept the slow loris, which is about two years old, so he could charge tourists to have their photo taken with it as a way to make a living,” Mr Piyawat said.

Cherng Talay Police confirmed that Nares was charged with illegal possession of a protected animal.

Mr Piyawat continued his offer for anyone to report sightings of illegal possession and mistreatment of wild animals directly to him on 089-8737749.

“You can report these sightings to me directly. I speak basic English, if you are a foreigner, please speak simply and say what animal you saw, where, and when, or other important details,” he said.