The global operation has successfully returned nearly 1,000 vulnerable and endangered animals to Madagascar, becoming one of the world’s largest repatriations in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.
Early last year, nearly 1,000 turtles and lemurs were seized as part of an international law enforcement operation after being trafficked through Thailand to be sold in the international pet trade.
This operation was organized by Thai authorities with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Justice Commission, resulting in arrests in both Thailand and Madagascar.
While the seized animals were in the custody of the Thai authorities, the Royal Fund’s United for Wildlife program assembled and mobilized members of its Transport Taskforce, namely Qatar Airways Cargo and Airlink, who generously agreed to provide free transport to return the animals to Madagascar.
The undertaking marks one of the largest seizures and repatriations ever seen in the world and is a complex, costly operation that would not have been possible without the joint efforts of many global organizations.
The final shipment of animals arrived in Madagascar on December 12, after all animals were assessed and rehabilitated before being released into a suitable environment.
Among the animals seized were ringed lemurs, common brown lemurs, spider turtles and ray turtles.
Hardus KushkeAirlink executive manager Cargo said. “It was certainly a natural decision for Airlink to be part of the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife’s Transport Taskforce to repatriate some of the world’s most vulnerable and endangered animals to their natural habitats in Madagascar; Playing our part in the global fight against illegal wildlife trade is at the core of our airline values. Airlink is a responsible corporate citizen, creating environmental sustainability across the entire transport and tourism value chain, now and for future generations.”