Alex Kiprotich
12 December 2005
Nairobi — The controversial export of local wildlife to Thailand took a new twist after investigations revealed that some of the animals are endangered species.
The mystery over the deal further deepened after it emerged that Thailand had requested for 309 assorted wild game, which includes animals classified as endangered.
The Government had announced in November that it was giving away 175 animals.
A confidential memo signed by top Government officials of both countries details a five-day tour by a six-man Government delegation to Thailand animal holding facilities.
The delegation was led by a senior deputy secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, John Mukuriah, KWS chief scientist, Dr Richard Bagine, and acting tourism director, Wanjiru Munene.
Mukuriah and Dr Bagine signed the report and recommended to the Government that Chiang Mai Night Safari park was in a position to receive the animals.
Dr Plodprasop Suraswadi, the director of the private zoo, signed the report on behalf of the Government of Thailand. The endangered species, which were not listed in the official Government report but are in the confidential document requested by Thailand, include three leopards, three cheetahs, 20 lions, two white rhinos, six buffaloes and seven hippos.
Other species include waterbucks, dik diks, elands, black-breasted Koris, impalas, wildebeests, gerenuk grants and Thompson's gazelles.
The delegation visited seven parks in Thailand and agreed to dispose of the animals.
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