#Wildlifetrade

A sharp rise in Thailand’s captive lions has sparked a national debate about wildlife welfare, illegal trafficking, and the impact on conservation. Between 2018 and 2024, the country’s captive lion population grew from about 130 to nearly 500, while an estimated 350 individuals disappeared from official records in a single year. Experts warn that missing lions may have been trafficked across borders, inadequately cared for, or failed to be reported, highlighting serious gaps in monitoring and enforcement.