A team of veterinarians has been deployed to care for two confiscated white lions rescued near the Thai–Cambodian border in Trat province, with long-term rehabilitation plans now underway.
The lions -- a female named Merry and a male named Christmas -- have been receiving treatment at the Khao Son Wildlife Breeding Station in Ratchaburi since Dec 25. They were rescued with assistance from Thai Marine Corps personnel during an operation near Ban Tha Sen in tambon Chamrak, Muang district.
According to Sutthipong Kamthapthim, head of the Wildlife Breeding Division under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, veterinarians were mobilised after both lions developed severe digestive problems, including loss of appetite, straining and difficulty defecating.
Examinations carried out under anaesthesia, including abdominal X-rays, revealed severe constipation caused by tightly compacted faecal matter. An enema was administered, flushing out waste containing hair, sand and small bone fragments.
The lions were treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief medication and nutritional supplements.
Dental examinations also identified tooth decay and heavy tartar buildup, which were treated, and blood samples were collected for further analysis.
The two lions were among five wild animals abandoned inside a casino on the Cambodian side of the border. Authorities found the animals locked in cages, severely underweight, dehydrated and panicked. They were assessed to be in critical condition and were rescued by Thai officials.