PHUKET: Wildlife official Awat Nitikul believes the battle is being won against touts who carry protected slow lorises in and around Soi Bangla, Patong's nightlife hub.
''Three more people were arrested this week,'' he said. ''So far this year we have returned at least 10 of the creatures to their natural habitat.''
The wide eyes and natural appeal of the lorises leads them to be used by touts who entice tourists to have their photographs taken with the animals.
But the lorises are protected and are not supposed to be abused in this way. Some tourists are aware of the need to protect native animals and walk on.
Others stop to have their photos taken. A third group these days tends to know the law and contacts local police or Tourist Police.
Khun Awat said this week that the Environmental Conservation Unit, based in parkland at Khao Prathaew, in Thalang, central Phuket, needs the help of local authorities to deal with the issue.
''We rely on local police, tourist police and Patong council officers to alert us when these touts are spotted,'' he said.
''We hope they are as aware as we are that the slow lorises should not be treated in this fashion.''
Two more touts are known to still be operating in Patong's Soi Bangla.
Most of the creatures are first captured in Ranong, a province north of Phang Nga and Phuket, where the population of lorises remains quite large, he said.
When touts are arrested, the lorises are taken to be checked and returned to full health at a centre in Phang Nga before they are returned to the wild.
The conservation unit's office is open every day in central Phuket. Tourists can enjoy three walks of different lengths around a waterfall in the Khao Prathaew park.
About 100 birds species have been spotted in the park, along with other Thai native fauna and flora.
Bookings can be made at 076 311998. Tourists are free to call Khun Awat at any time on 086 6897040 if they see lorises in Patong.
''Three more people were arrested this week,'' he said. ''So far this year we have returned at least 10 of the creatures to their natural habitat.''
The wide eyes and natural appeal of the lorises leads them to be used by touts who entice tourists to have their photographs taken with the animals.
But the lorises are protected and are not supposed to be abused in this way. Some tourists are aware of the need to protect native animals and walk on.
Others stop to have their photos taken. A third group these days tends to know the law and contacts local police or Tourist Police.
Khun Awat said this week that the Environmental Conservation Unit, based in parkland at Khao Prathaew, in Thalang, central Phuket, needs the help of local authorities to deal with the issue.
''We rely on local police, tourist police and Patong council officers to alert us when these touts are spotted,'' he said.
''We hope they are as aware as we are that the slow lorises should not be treated in this fashion.''
Two more touts are known to still be operating in Patong's Soi Bangla.
Most of the creatures are first captured in Ranong, a province north of Phang Nga and Phuket, where the population of lorises remains quite large, he said.
When touts are arrested, the lorises are taken to be checked and returned to full health at a centre in Phang Nga before they are returned to the wild.
The conservation unit's office is open every day in central Phuket. Tourists can enjoy three walks of different lengths around a waterfall in the Khao Prathaew park.
About 100 birds species have been spotted in the park, along with other Thai native fauna and flora.
Bookings can be made at 076 311998. Tourists are free to call Khun Awat at any time on 086 6897040 if they see lorises in Patong.
I was on Bangla last night and saw at least 5 Touts with their Loris' and no Police, not to mention the touts promoting the, according to the authorities, non-existent ping-pong shows.
Posted by Jerry on November 4, 2012 13:05