A zoo in Thailand was raided after allegedly illegally keeping exotic animals in squalid conditions.<br /> <br />The Monster Aquarium in Pattaya, a popular tourist destination, was closed down last Friday (September 11) for allegedly neglecting their animals and operating without permits.<br /> <br />Police arrived with National Park officer Thiradech Palasuwan to demand to see the zoo's paperwork, but they were unable to produce any.<br /> <br />Officers trawled the zoo to make an inventory of the animals and found 1,681 exotic creatures. There were 211 different breeds including mongooses, porcupines, iguanas, pythons, parrots, centipedes, and eagles.<br /> <br />Owner Chonchai Anumart said that he collected and bought the animals legally to be shown at his zoo.<br /> <br />He said: "I had run the zoo to show the exotic animals I bought and collected. The zoo had been open for more than a year."<br /> <br />The zoo owner faces being charged with illegal opening and being in possession of protected wildlife which will be fined of up to 300,000 Baht (around 7,400 GBP) or three-year imprisonment.<br /> <br />The animals and reptiles were estimated to be valued around 100,000 Baht (2,500 GBP). They will be under the local animal centre's care until the investigation is finished.<br /> <br />Thiradej Palasuwan, from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said locals had complained that the animals were being neglected.<br /> <br />He said that the zoo would be forced to close while the paperwork is investigated and the zoo applies for the correct permits.
