Guest guest Posted March 25, 2001 Report Share Posted March 25, 2001 - " Animal Lib Queensland " <alibqld <alqld Wednesday, March 21, 2001 10:37 AM [alqld] Urgent-W/life pets > > >Urgent-W/life pets > >Wed, 21 Mar 2001 09:29:17 +1000 > >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal > >X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 > >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 > > > > Some people will be aware of the saga of Mitchell, the red kangaroo > >who was being kept as a pet in a small backyard near Gympie. Mitchell > >(1.1/2 meters tall) was seized by QPWS after his carer refused to > >rehabilitate and release him. He is now at another secret halfway house > >preparing for release. I have seen him, he is fine, and mixing well with > >other reds. They will all be eventually released together on a large, > >safe, property. In only a week he is already returning to wild animal > >status. The issue of keeping of wildlife for pets (particullarly in > >Mitchell's case) has been made highly controversial by an irresponsible > >media. Pet wildlife is also being promoted by a few academics as a > >potential solution to species loss. It is also being pushed by the pet > >shop Industry, in spite of the fact that as a nation, we can't even > >properly manage cats and dogs. Most people in the community would believe > >wildlife has rights as such, and must stay wild and free. The keeping and > >trading of wildlife for pets in both South Australia and Victoria has had > >disastrous consequences for wildlife, and has not contributed in any way > >to saving species. In both States the legislation was introduced by > >stealth, with little community consultation, in both instances by a Labour > >Government. The Mitchell incident has raised many other issues about > >wildlife care, including the inadequacies of the current permit system. > >Now an organisation known as Enviroworld has taken up the carers' case. > >They are an organisation set up specifically to lobby for wildlife as > >pets. They are believed to be a wing of the pet shop Industry. They have a > >legal team which has taken up the case free of charge for the carer, who > >wants his pet, Mitchell, back. They are taking legal action against QPWS > >to challenge the current legislation. This is the beginning of a strong > >push to change legislation to allow wildlife to be kept and traded as pets > >in Queensland. We also understand that this carer is canvassing other > >local carers to try to find a replacement joey, and has applied for a > >permanent permit. As he has already demonstrated that he has no intention > >of rehabilitation or release, we would hope that any permit application > >would be refused. If it is refused by QPWS, Environworld will appeal the > >decision.This whole mess may provide an opportunity to tighten up the > >legislation, and implement public awareness campaigns, to ensure that this > >misunderstanding by the carer (that kangaroos etc. can legally be kept as > >pets) never occurs again. Alternatively, the Minister may cave in to > >political pressure and allow the keeping and trading of wildlife for pets. > > Please send an urgent fax to the Minister supporting the actions of QPWS > >staff in removing this unfortunate animal so he can be rehabilitated and > >released. The push by this lobby group Enviroworld, is strong, > >well-funded, and well coordinated. The Minister needs support to tighten > >current legislation, not weaken it. His address is; The Hon. Dean Wells > >Minister for Environment Fax 32296920 Please forward this emal to any > >other interested persons. Pat O'Brien, President, WPAA Inc. > >P O Box 1334 Yeppoon Q 4703 > >Ph 07 49397997, Fax 49397972 > >email; austwildlife > >Website; www.wildlifeprotectaust.org.au > ____________________________ > Cynthia Burnett for > Animal Liberation Queensland > > http://www.powerup.com.au/~alibqld > > > > ====================================================================<<< > Share your files with friends using the SmartGroups document area. > http://ad.smartgroups.com/adclick/CID=000000090621c29500000000 > > ====================================================================>>> > > If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a questionnaire > visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/alqld > > To leave the group, email: alqld- > _______ Get your free @ address at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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