Historic operation returns almost 1,000 trafficked animals to Madagascar

In one of the largest repatriation operations of its kind, almost 1,000 trafficked lemurs and tortoises were successfully returned from Thailand to Madagascar.

Chonburi, eastern Thailand – As night falls, a team of wildlife officers and veterinarians springs into action.

In a carefully rehearsed routine, they enter the lemur enclosure, nets in hand.

One by one, the lemurs – whose big eyes, fox-like faces and long, bushy tails set them apart from their primate relatives – are captured, given quick health checks, and secured in travel crates.

Nearby, tortoises are also being readied for transport in long, narrow cases lined with grass and straw. Each tortoise is labelled before being placed inside.

Later, at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the Thai capital, Bangkok, the officers – many of whom have cared for the animals since their rescue seven months ago – refill water dispensers and peer through the crates’ ventilation holes, checking on the animals one last time before departure.