Malaysia - Cruel to pluck wildlife from natural habitat

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http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/12/21/focus/6948851 & sec=

focus

 

Sunday December 21, 2003

Cruel to pluck wildlife from natural habitat

 

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia is alarmed at news of the arrival of 20 penguins at

Underwater World Langkawi.

 

What is inconceivable is that these penguins were “plucked” from the wild on

the islands of Tristan de Cunha in the South Atlantic and transported

thousands of miles to a place and land totally alien to their own habitat.

 

Not mentioned is the stress during capture and transportation of these wild

birds from the moment of capture until their country of destination.

 

While it is impossible to obtain reliable statistics on mortality from the

time of capture, it is doubtful whether all the birds trapped in the wild

live to see a zoo visitor.

 

However, this is generally overlooked as any loss of wildlife is easily

replenished from the wild.

 

Sadly, though, we learned that most of the other penguins captured would be

sold to zoos in Asia while some will stay in the South African aquarium for

breeding.

 

We are horrified that self-profits and personal gains at the expense of the

world’s wildlife are the primary reasons for the mushrooming of aquarists,

aviarists and the zoo trade.

 

All these business entities hiding under the guise of education and research

should seriously question themselves whether anyone derives lasting benefit

by seeing wild animals from other countries in enclosures which inhibit

their natural behaviour.

 

The absence of concern for captive animals, most of which live under

conditions of psychological stress, is incredible with a lack of the

facilities necessary to fulfil basic instincts and desires.

 

The statement that captive animals or birds “adapt” or “acclimatise” to

their unfamiliar surroundings is all too familiar. This may be true for a

few that survive the trauma of capture, transport, change of climate, and

unnatural diet.

 

Rather than spending a vast amount on the acquisition of these birds, the

money would be better spent in wildlife conservation, where the creation of

more national parks with the help of this cash injection will result in a

compensatory growth in foreign revenue from the resulting increase in

tourism.

 

Tourists to Malaysia are more intent in watching our wildlife in their

natural surroundings. More should be done to educate the Malaysian public on

the glories of our native wildlife.

 

S.M. MOHD IDRIS

 

President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia