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Thai wildlife rescue centres raided by local officials21/02/2012 17:30:47Do you know the facts?Wildlife Extra has not visited these facilities, and we do not know what the real story is. If any readers have visited, or know the facilities, please let us know if you have any more facts.February 2012. Wildlife Extra has been alerted by readers that are concerned for the welfare of both animals and staff of two wildlife rescue centres in Thailand, The Wildlife Friends Foundation and The Elephant Nature Park, both in Thailand.  Both Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) and Elephant Nature Park (ENP) have been hard hit by these raids as both were raided by armed officials of the Department of National Parks (DNP) and police units. The officials claim they received an anonymous phone call. Both WFFT and ENP feel they have been targeted for speaking out on the recent elephant killings at Kaengkrachan National Park and Kuiburi National Park, and the involvement of officials, politicians and wealthy businessmen. There are claims that this is blatant corruption and bullying in an attempt to silence the organisation's leaders from being outspoken against the illegal wildlife trade and recent finds of slaughtered elephants in nearby national parks, for which corruption amongst Thai authorities is suspected. Photo of the Elephant Nature Park by Gabrielle Nagle
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Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
I will be adding comments to all Tourism websites about this event and request that all tourists reconsider travel plans to Thailand (except to ENP, BLES and WFFT) until these animals are safely returned to WFFT by this corrupt government and National Parks Dept.
Many people from around the world have been supporting WFFT for years. This is an outrage and disgrace. These offenders will only be stopped when tourism takes a turn and they no longer have the demand for poaching, capturing young elephants from the wild for Trekking camps and killing wild animals of all kinds to sell for consumption.
For more information on this event and how to help please go to Facebook Page. Besides reading the news posted, go to the Notes section for ways to help:
www.facebook.com/saveallelephants#!/saveallelephants
Thank you!
Posted by: Thai Tourism Protest | 24 Feb 2012 14:17:19
Hello, thank you to Wildlife Extra News for sharing this tragic and shocking story.
I volunteered at the centre in 2010 and am due to return in a few weeks. I can support everything that Zoe has written below. The work that Edwin and everyone at the centre does is massively important in a country where the wildlife are very much under threat from poaching, trafficking and abuse. Having worked there myself I am amazed at the care, money and effort that goes in to rehabilitating the animals and ensuring their highest quality of life, as well as educating thai and foreign visitors on such matters.
The DNP raids are shocking and upsetting, not least because of the manner in which they have conducted themselves. A government organisation like this, using scare tactics and threats, as well as telling volunteers and staff to 'go back to their own countries' is damaging for Thailand as a whole. Their actions must be investiagted and those responsible held accountable. Innocent animals should not suffer becuase of the petty politics of people.
Posted by: Claire Suarez | 24 Feb 2012 13:17:42
During the last few weeks there has been unacceptable animal cruelty from Thai officials of the Department of National Parks in seizing animals from the rescue center of the WFFT with false claims of illegal ownership. We believe this is in response to the centers outspokenness in the Thai media to end illegal elephant poaching which brought to light to the fact some DNP officials and high powered business men were profiting from the act. I volunteered at the center in 2007 and can testify they provide amazing care for their animals and fight for animals rights in a country that exploits it's wildlife. For more information visit www.wfft.org all the news is on their homepage.
Posted by: Laura Riding | 24 Feb 2012 13:14:25
http://www.f3.proxymice.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wfft.org%2Felephants%2Fthai-elephants-being-killed-for-tourist-dollars%2F&h=xAQHTr_snAQF6drnFGsyHBjPkRfdHEqUrBp98ya_8VDNktg
Please all sign.
Posted by: Karen Cobb | 24 Feb 2012 13:07:34
This is corruption at its highest level and unfortunately its the animals that are being used as the bait but what do they care, half these people raiding the centers are wildlife traffickers and poachers themselves.
There I've spoken out, so come on if they are so brave, come pick on me, I'm ready and waiting.
Posted by: Karen Cobb | 24 Feb 2012 13:05:59
I am writing to you because of the unacceptable armed raids that have been occurring at the Wildlife Friends of Thailand (WFFT) animal sanctuary. I volunteered at this rescue centre in 2006 and have nothing but praise for the hard-work and dedication of all the staff and volunteers towards the hundreds (450+) of abused/neglected rescue animals that they care for.
Edwin Wiek (the founder) has lived in Thailand for nearly 20 years and set up the WFFT as a place where rescued animals could be nursed back to health and live the rest of their lives safely. Edwin has always been outspoken about wildlife trafficking/poaching/smuggling and corruption within the Thai system and recently spoke about wild elephant poaching for the tourist trade. Since then he and the WFFT have received threats. Last week the DNP (National Parks Dept
Posted by: Zoe | 24 Feb 2012 12:57:06