Yet another unsavory connection between South Africa’s trophy hunting of rhinos and the illegal rhino horn trade: Recent investigations have revealed that Thai prostitutes were brought into the country by a known human trafficker for the purpose of “hunting” rhinos.
This development is linked to the recent arrest of Chumlong Lemtongthai, a Thai national suspected of laundering rhino horn for the illegal market with South African trophy hunting permits.
Hunting safari operator Marnus Steyl is believed to be Lemtongthai’s South African link to an international wildlife trafficking syndicate, which operates under the cover of a Cambodia-based company known as Xaysavang Export Import.
An extensive investigation by South Africa’s Media24 uncovered a mountain of evidence indicating that Steyl worked directly with Xaysavang Export Import to supply rhino horns and lion bones (used as a substitute for tiger), for use in illegal Chinese medicines.
On November 16, Xaysavang was invoiced a total R1.3m by Steyl Game for 22kg of rhino horn. A month later, an amount of R434 000 was invoiced for “3 rhino”.
To acquire rhino horn “legally” for the illegal market, female “sex workers” from Thailand were brought into South Africa to pose as “rhino hunters” on Steyl’s property.
According to the Mail & Guardian, a woman wanted in Thailand for human trafficking – now living in Midrand, Gauteng Province – was supplying these young women for the Steyl-Lemtongthai scam.
It was also reported that suspected rhino horn syndicate “kingpin” Dawie Groenewald is connected to Lemtongthai.
Groenewald is currently facing charges of assault, fraud, corruption, malicious damage to property, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and contravention of the National Environmental Biodiversity Act.
Suspect Groenewald recently sold nine rhinos to a South African game rancher, who is already tied to a professional hunter, arrested twice for involvement with similar trophy hunting scams.
Both Steyl and Groenewald have reportedly denied any connection to Lemtongthai.
Learn more about the rhino crisis:
- Mules Hunting Rhinos? Sinister Scam Unfolds in South Africa
- Rhino Crisis Round Up: ‘Eco-Clubs’ in Nepal, New Arrivals in India & Groenewald Makes a Deal
- Concern Grows Around South Africa’s Legal Trade in Live Rhinos
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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Rhishja Cota-Larson
Rhishja is the founder of Saving Rhinos, which publishes news and information about the illegal trade in rhino horn and rhino conservation issues. She is the Editor of the blogs "Rhino Horn is Not Medicine" and "Project Pangolin", author of the book "Murder, Myths & Medicine", and host of "Behind the Schemes". Check out savingrhinos.org, rhinoconservation.org, and pangolins.org to learn more. When Rhishja is not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, she enjoys rocking out to live music.
6 Responses to Thai Prostitutes Hired to Kill Rhinos in South African Trophy Hunting Scam
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[...] South African safari operator Harry Claassens as the latest suspect arrested in connection with the Thai rhino horn syndicate involving game farmer Marnus [...]
[...] was also alleged that Lemtongthai and Steyl had hired Thai prostitutes to pose as [...]
[...] allegedly collaborated with Thai national Chumlong Lemtongthai in a rhino horn and lion bone laundering scheme, which also [...]
[...] case of Chumlong Lemtongthai has been postponed until November 8th and he is to remain in jail until that time. Lemtongthai and [...]
[...] of laundering rhino horns for the illegal market using a trophy hunt scam that apparently involved Thai prostitutes. He was reportedly running the operation with a South African accomplice, Marnus [...]
[...] another twist the rhino-killing Thai hooker saga involving South African safari operator Marnus [...]