Owners of ten controlled wildlife species must notify officials by March 16th –

Individuals in Thailand who own any of 10 species of controlled wildlife or their carcasses since before last October 19^th are required to notify authorities by March 16^th or face legal action.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said today (Saturday) that there are 67 species of controlled wildlife under Thai law and owners of species such as lions, gorillas, cheetahs, jaguars and green anaconda are required to report their possession to authorities.

After the notification, he said that wildlife officials will check the licenses of the owners.

Failure to report is subject to one-year of imprisonment and/or a fine of 100,000 baht on conviction.

Asked about the complaints about the presence of a white lion being raised in their neighbourhood, Atthaphon said that, if the owner has the proper license, he can own the lion.

Prasert Sornsathapornkul, head of the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Division, said that the 67 controlled wildlife species are divided into dangerous species, reptiles, mammals and birds.