Following an online petition to rescue “Canoe” the chimpanzee that has been kept as a pet and forced to live in poor conditions for over 24 years, officials yesterday conducted a search on private land in Chatuchak district.
Canoe, a 30-year-old male chimp, was found inside a small cage two meters wide and 2.5 meters high.
Jira Smithichote, 68, yesterday came forward and identified himself as the chimp’s owner and said he kept him in the small cage because it was an easy way to look after him.
He told the officials he got Canoe from a friend.
Even though his property, which used to be a primary school, spans over 16 rai, Jira keeps Canoe locked in the cage.
Canoe is seen running in his cage as an attempt to exercise, in this video released by The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand.
Thiradej Palasuwan, an official from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, has ordered Jira to provide Canoe with a bigger cage and give the chimp some toys. According to Thiradej, the new cage must be at least six meters high and span at least 185.6 square meters.
“We will come back to check on the animal every three months. We will issue a warning if we find that the owner fails to comply with the order. After three warnings, we will seize the chimpanzee,” Thiradej said.
Jira said he would make a decision soon on whether to keep Canoe or give him to the department.
The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and its allies said they will keep an eye on the case and check up on Canoe, Thai Visa reported.
Photo: Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
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