more letters on zoos

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Singapore Zoo.

The Singapore Zoo's most celebrated icon, Ah Meng the orang utan, may be

about to lose her exalted status - possibly to a chubby baby elephant. The

orang utan who, for years, has been Singapore's best known tourism

ambassador and has clinked glasses with scores of VIPs, is already 40 years

old and living in semi-retirement.

Although she has another 10 to 15 years to live, the zoo is already looking

for a new official mascot.

Leading the pack of contenders is two-year old Sang Raja, a half-tonne baby

elephant who shot to fame in 1999 when the zoo appealed for funds to support

his daily 30-litre milk diet.

Since then, his popularity has soared. He is the only one, next to Ah Meng,

to have T-shirts and books branded in his name.

At his birthday party on Sunday, officials revealed that young polar bear

Inuka and Ah Meng's female offspring, Hong Bao, were also among those most

likely to fill Ah Meng's shoes.

Said Robin Goh, Wildlife Reserve's assistant manager of corporate

communication: " Sang Raja is famous, but it will depend on how the public

grows with him. "

 

 

Letter to editor on " Free all zoo animals " New Straits Times 13.2.01.

 

The recent proposal to relocate the national zoo involves a lot of money and

has met with mixed opinions. But the pertinent point is that the fate of

the animals must be given priority when making a decision on whether to

relocate them or not.

In every country, there is usually a national zoo or an animal park. These

places attract tourists, children and even curious adults like us. Many of

us get excited about having a close view of the animals in cages, not

forgetting the aquarium.

However, we fail to understand that the animals are taken away from their

natural habitat (their homes) and kept in cages to provide us with some form

of excitement. Humans live in houses, birds on trees and animals in

jungles. This is the law of nature. Please leave them where they belong.

It is unkind to cage an animal for the entertainment of our children or even

to attract visitors. We are showing cruelty toward animals when we cage

them. The animals feel lonely and lost without their mates and natural

homes. The time has come for we Malaysians to show that we not only care for

fellow humans, but also for the wild animals.

Dear President of the Zoological Society of Malaysia, no one can deny the

fact that a lot of money has or is being spent in maintaining the national

zoo.

But showing kindness is most valuable in human life. Therefore, dear

president, please demolish the zoo. Let the existing animals remain and

sleep off. Please don't ship in any more animals for caging. Let Malaysia

be the first one to show the world that we care for all animals. While

everyone is looking forward to visiting a zoo to see the animals in cages, I

know that it is peculiar of me to come up with such a request at this point

of time. But animal lovers will agree with me that it is a caring and

timely request. " In a country where no one is dressed, the one who is

dressed is called a clown. " Please think about it.

 

Another letter - Is the zoo move necessary (New Straits Times 22.3.01)

 

When the idea of siting the National Zoo in Ulu Kelang was mooted in the

early sixties there were voices of disagreement saying that it was too far

from the city. But the various authorities gave many reasons in favour.

The public was also assured that it would be a permanent site. And now

there is talk that the zoo has to move again. Putrajaya has been mentioned

as one of the likely sites.

 

Putrajaya and the areas around it will be highly developed in 50 years time.

Will the zoo have to move again then? This is what happens when we rate a

zoo as just a place to rear animals. But in reality the zoo is a valuable

asset to the city. It is an educational establishment just as important as

the schools. It can also act as a green lung. We always stress on the

importance of planning. Can we claim to have good planning when our zoo

has to move every 50 years?

 

 

 

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