Guest guest Posted September 30, 2002 Report Share Posted September 30, 2002 Hilary Chiew, a reporter for the Star newspaper in Malaysia, contact me regarding an ongoing investigation of the " Taiping Four " case (presumably the Malaysian government's). She wrote: > I have a few questions for you and hope you'd oblige. Thanks. > >1. In your IPPL News August 2002, it was stated that " IPPL believes that >the Malaysian state of Perak, which operates Taiping Zoo, should provide >funds for the rehabilitation of the gorillas " . Can you elaborate? > >2. What do you think of the argument by Asian zookeepers on western zoo >prejudice and monopoly over gorilla that has clearly been pushed into the >forefront of arguments over this particular issue? There are frustration >among Asian zookeepers over gorilla transfer from established captive >breeding zoo in western establishment to Asian zoos. It seems that the reluctance of Western zoos to ship captive-born gorillas to Asia is being presented as an excuse for the smuggling of four wild-caught gorillas via Nigeria to Malaysia, and is viewed as " prejudice " against Asian zoos. As long as so many Asian zoos (including SEAZA members) engage in activities like animal photo-ops, using animals for performances, etc., and bearing in mind past disasters like the deaths of five gorillas at Singapore Zoo and the poor track records of gorillas held in Japan (several of illegal origin, such as those at Chiba City Zoo), zoos are unlikely to supply gorillas to Asian zoos. In any case, the questionable services of Asian zoos are hardly needed to save gorillas from extinction. Shirley McGreal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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