elephant, circus, zoo, bird park, letters on horses and oxens and monkeys.

[Guest guest]

The Star - 26 July 01. - Singapore -

Three dead kookaburras over five days have prompted Jurong Bird Park

officials to close down three of the park's aviaries until further notice.

The three include the showpiece Waterfall Aviary, the Flight Aviary and the

South-East Asian Birds Aviary. The park's executive director said the

closure was a precaution to prevent the spread of Newcastle disease. The

incident is the first in the park's 30 year history, where the two birds

died from the disease and one had to be put down as it was infected. The

disease affects only birds and infects their respiratory, nervous and

digestive systems.

 

The Star 21.7.01

White lions, a rare species normally found only in Africa, are now in

Taiping Zoo. A male and two females which possess the white genes to bear

white offsprings arrived from the Timbavati region near Kruger National

Park, South Africa. Their parents were known to have produced white

offsprings previously and the zoo hopes that the newly acquired animals can

do the same. The lions are fed beef or wildboar meat which costs the zoo

about RM1 000 per week.

 

The Star - 16.7.01

 

Malaysia - An elephant trainer was seriously injured when the animal he was

bathing turned on him at Malacca Zoo. The elephant suddenly became violent

while having its shower. It wrapped its trunk around the trainer's body and

squeezed him, breaking a rib and injuring his lungs. The Malacca zoo had

stopped the elephant show temporarily to study why the animal behaved in

such a manner. The elephant was tame and had never caused any problem

before.

 

Letter to The Star - 11.7.01. - Malaysia.

 

Depriving them of their freedom, shaving their hair and painting their bare

skins. That's the fate of four monkeys caught by the residents and Rela

members in Tampoi, Johor. Though they might have stolen a few chickens or

food the monkeys did not deserve to be treated in such a hideous manner.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act must be applied to the Rela members

of Tampoi.

And by taking action against those responsible, the wildlife department will

be sending a stern message to anyone who might be tempted to do the same in

future.

Painting the monkeys after shaving is particularly cruel as they will be

deprived of the group for protection. It also means they lose their natural

protection against the elements. These poor aimals will suffer terribly.

These Rela members should know the law better than ordinary citizens. They

assist the Government in various projects. They should be brought to

justice for not respecting the law. Animals too are given the rights to

occupy this earth under the law and must be protected.

 

The Star 19/7/01. Malaysia.

The Royal London Circus, now performing in Temerloh as part of its

nationwide tour, has met with protests from religious groups, claiming it is

immoral.

The groups had submitted a petition (containing 20 signatures and their

request to close the show) to the district office, in an attempt

to close the performance. However, assurance from the district office has

been that no such action will be taken and that the show can proceed.

The groups claimed that the circus acts were capable of corrupting the

morals of the people. In a press statement, the company's managing director

Paul Lee described the circus as clean, wholesome and family -oriented. He

also said funds raised from ticket sales were channelled to charitable

bodies. The circus was brought into the country by Novel Showcase, based in

Kuala Lumpur.

 

Letter to editor - The Star - 4.7.01. Letter writer from Kuala Lumpur.

 

I refer to the letter by J.S.D about his strong recommendation that the

horseguards outside the Palace should be posted throughout the day till late

evening.

I have one quetion directed at this person: How would you feel if you were

to be in the position of the guards or the horses, standing there like a

statue for,say, only an hour? Being a Hindu by birth, I don't even like the

idea of bulls pulling the chariot during Thaipusam (Hindu diety celebration)

or any other festival. No doubt its our custom and belief that an ox is an

auspicious animal (associated with the goddess Lakshmi) to be used during

festivals and certain prayers but making them pull such a big chariot over

such long distances and also for long hours is what makes me feel awful.

Usually this kind of festival begins at night and ends only the next day

when the chariot reaches a specific destination. I do understand they have

extra oxen to replace the tired ones but I feel it's not worth it and

unnecessary.

I don't mind people pulling the chariot but not animals which can never

express their pain and feelings. I really beg people out there to have a

little mercy and try to love animals just like you would love a fellow human

being - but if you can't please do try not to hurt them at least. That

would be a great help.

 

Logging in Kota Kinabalu

 

Sabah Parks rangers recently stopped the Kenauntung workers from proceeding

with the logging within the boundary of the area that has been made a World

Heritage site.

The workers had cleared a 500m long track in the north west part of the park

before they were stopped. Two workers were arrested and their bulldozer

seized when they resumed clearing the jungle. Kenauntung had proposed the

construction of a road linking three army training areas in the military

camp using proceeds from the sale of the logs to finance the project. News

reports claimed that the company and the project allegedly had the backing

of Sabah Head of State and the project awarded during the tenure of Chief

Minister.

Sabah Environmental Protection Association secretary Muthu said the reports

were the latest about logging activities around Kinabalu National Park

involving influential people. He said the association had also got word that

there were illegal loggers at work near Kampung Nalapak at another part of

the national park, adding that in other parts of Sabah too logging

concessions had been given to individuals with political connections.

Muthu said the state government and relevant enforcement authorities must

act immediately because in most cases prevously, illegally felled logs had

been removed before the authorities moved in.

 

Letter from the President of Small Animal Practitioners Association of

Malaysia -

It has come to our attention that a great number of puppies and exotic pets

are being smuggled into the country from Thailand in the last few months.

Veterinary members of the Small Animal Practitioners Association of Malaysia

have written in to express their concern as these animals have been

presented to them for infectious and contagious diseases.

Previously, importation of domestic pets has been from reputable countries

like the US, Australia, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan.

But the animals are now being imported from the East European countries, the

former Soviet bloc and East Asian countries like Taiwan. There was an

explosion of canine distemper viral infection when puppies were imported

from Taiwan as these animals were brought in without proper health

certificates and veterinary documentation. Now with the import of pets from

Thailand via the border, there is an epidemic of respiratory disease which

is spreading quickly through our domestic dog population.

All this boils down to the severe lack of proper quarantine guidelines at

all ports of entry and the lackadaisical attitude of the relevant

authorities to monitor movements of animals in and out of the country.

From now, Malaysia is designated as a country where rabies is well

controlled.

All it takes is for one unscrupulous animal smuggler, one irresponsible

border quarantine official and one infected pet to let loose this horrific

disease on the streets of Malaysia.

We therefore urge the Agriculture Minister and the Veterinary Services

Department to look into this matter urgently as it involves our national

interest and well-being.

 

 

 

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