Two baby orangutans being sold on internet have been rescued

A pair of baby orangutans, thought to be smuggled from Indonesia, have been rescued from a suspected trafficker who has been arrested in Bangkok.

The suspected smuggler, Jirapat Manasthitikul, was caught in a string operation when he thought he was delivering the pair of apes to buyers, who were to pay THB700,000 for them. In reality, he delivered the apes straight into the arms of two Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation officers who were pretending to be buyers.

The orangutans, a boy and a girl, were healthy, according to the officers. They are being transferred to a government-run animal breeding center in Ratchaburi to be cared for, reported Thai PBS.  

Even though the officials are not sure if Jirapat is the smuggler or just the delivery person, he will be charged with smuggling of an endangered species as well as breaking custom laws.