IFAW leads Chinese delegation to Asians for Animals conference

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Jeff He, IFAW, Tel: 86-10-64643599 or Fax: 86-10-64643522

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Jennifer Ferguson-Mitchell, IFAW, US Tel: 1-(508)-7442076

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IFAW's 2003 Animal Champion Award Winners Attend the Asians for Animals

Conference

 

 

 

(Beijing - September 1, 2003) - A group of animal welfare advocates and

Chinese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) gathered in Beijing's Houhai

Park for the International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) annual " Animal

Champion Award " ceremony. The award recognizes groups and individuals who

work to save animals and promote animal welfare policy. Some of the award

recipients will attend the 2nd Asians for Animals Conference in Hong Kong

this week.

 

" IFAW remains committed to the economic, technical and informational support

of Chinese NGOs. An immature NGO management system and a lack of experience

make it difficult for Chinese NGO's to be effective. However, despite these

challenging conditions, the Animal Champion Award winners have invested

personal emotion and enthusiasm to overcome all obstacles. Due to their

extraordinary dedication, and with IFAW support, steady progress is being

made to rescue animals and promote animal welfare across China, " said IFAW

country director Dr. Aster Zhang Li.

 

IFAW conferred four Animal Champion Awards in 2003. They were given to

Beijing Man and Animal Environment Education Center (BMAEEC) director Zhang

Luping, Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (BRRC) director Professor Songjie,

animal welfare legislation specialist professor Song Wei, Beijing Forestry

Bureau Wildlife Law Enforcement officer Wang Minzhong and individual rescuer

Mr. Qu Xisheng.

 

Each of the award winners have made a significant impact for animal welfare.

Zhang Luping has worked with companion animals for 15 years and her center

is now home to more than 450 animals. During the height of the SARS epidemic

this year, when many Chinese became fearful of pets, Luping rescued 153

animals. Professor Songjie has rescued 607 raptors although the BRRC's has

only been established for 20 months. Professor Song Wei continues to work

tirelessly on animal welfare legislation. And Mr. Xisheng, an individual who

started an island for wild ducks 3 years ago with a small bamboo raft, has

continued to expand it to the point that it is now home to over 100 wild

ducks and has become a neighborhood and tourist attraction. Wild duck island

has become a tangible example of how animals and people can live in peace.

 

Zhao Zhongqing, the principal of Shichahai Research Institute, said, " It is

very important that IFAW uses wild duck island as a animal welfare education

base. "

 

" It is encouraging these individuals helping to improve the system and

public environment for NGOs in China. IFAW hopes that organizations such as

BMAEEC and BRRC are seen as models of effective animal welfare for other

groups and individuals across China and Asia. " Added Dr. Zhang, " It is

IFAW's honor and pleasure to showcase these local NGOs at the Asians for

Animals conference in Hong Kong and give them an opportunity to share animal

welfare experience and learn from others in Asia. "

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

href= " http://www.ifaw.org " >www.ifaw.org</a>) works to improve the welfare of

wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

both animals and people.

 

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