Guest guest Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Lynette et al, I can't imagine any legitimate sanctuary owner supporting the collection of primates and suspect the people are just using names of famous people like Shirley McGreal to make a point, that they're somehow worthy. Good news is most of us doing good work in animal welfare know each other, so it's simple to do a quick check of claims like the ones described in this email. Jane Dewar Gorilla Haven - " Lynette Shanley " <lynetteshanley <alloprimate > Tuesday, February 17, 2004 12:53 AM [alloprimate] Pet Primates in Australia. > I am writing this on behalf of Lynette Shanley. > In the past 18 months we have been approached by 4 people (one this week) to support their applications to hold pet primates in Australia. Three people wanted to hold pet primates after returning from the USA and Canada. Two of these wanted to collect pet chimpanzees and orangutans from other pet owners, and then call themselves a sanctuary. In one case Lyn was offered a bribe to support the application. > > One person in South Australia was honest enough to say he wanted a licence for primates because he wanted a collection of primates. He said he wanted something different to other people. > > In a couple of cases the people contacting us have quoted the names of people running sanctuaries in USA and Canada as supporting them and their efforts, as well as stating the names of some people running sanctuaries in Indonesia and Africa. In one case Lyn was told the chairperson of IPPL USA was also supporting their efforts to get a sanctuary going for ex pet chimps and orangutans. Lyn told the person that Shirley McGreal knew what the situation was in Australia and she could not see her supporting anyone's application to hold pet orangutans or chimps. > > First of all it is illegal in all states of Australia to hold pet primates except in NSW and Victoria. Lyn ran a two year campaign to make it illegal to hold pet primates in these states and when it was accepted and made illegal it was made illegal for anyone to hold pet primates except for people who had them at the time of the new legislation. Last time we spoke to the government in Victoria only one licence had been issued. > > In NSW no new licences are being issued except for special circumstances such as when a person who has pet primates dies and a family member applies for a licence to take over the care of the animals instead of euthanasia. > > Secondly there are now no pet apes in Australia. A licence was issued for a circus family to hold two chimps as pets but these two chimps, several months ago passed to a zoo at the government's request. This was the best outcome for these chimps. It now means they are on public display and problems can be reported whereas before, no one knew what their living conditions were. There are no apes at all in private hands. > > There are limited numbers of other primates in private hands. If a person wants to call themselves a sanctuary instead of a pet primate owner they are still subjected to the same rules and regulations as any private holder is. They are all holders of " primates in private hands " whether they call themselves a pet keeper or a sanctuary owner. Under the legislation there is no difference. > > We feel Lyn is approached because she still sits on the NSW Non Indigenous Animals Advisory Committee (primate sub group) and she would oppose any changes to the current legislation. > > If in fact sanctuary owners overseas are encouraging these people, we would ask that it stop. We acknowledge that these people may not be getting encouragement from overseas, and may be just stating this to us to make it seem to us, we are going against everyone else if we oppose their application. > > We report all these conversations to the government (along with the persons name and contact details) and make the government aware we would oppose it. In fact some years ago three people approached the Queensland government to run sanctuaries for primates. In each case the Queensland government approached us and asked if we wanted to make a submission to oppose the establishment of these sanctuaries. One wanted to bring mistreated vervet monkeys from Africa into Queensland, two wanted to bring orangutans into Australia. > > Lyn always advises these people that to really help orangutans and chimpanzees they would be better off working long term on a sanctuary either in Africa or Indonesia. > > The sitaution in Australia is not the same as it is in USA or Canada and we do not want it to go that way. > > The following is from a rural newspaper. > > From the Western Advocate > 4th Feb 2004 > Tracy Sorensen. > > Photo. > Caption under Photo reads " Lynette Shanley of Portland has received an award for her tireless work for animal rights. She is see here with reluctant moggy model Amy " . > > International Award for Animal Rights Champion. > > Lynette Shanley of Portland loves cats of all shapes and sizes. She has 10 at home, including Amy, who was rescued from the bottom of a wheelie bin 17 years ago. > > As president of Wild Cats Plus, Ms Shanley is a tireless campaigner for wild cats like the African Black Footed cat and the Asian Marbled Cat. > > But she is just as keen on all sorts of primates, from monkeys to baboons and gibbons. In 1991 she leapt to the defence of 240 common marmosets all set to be euthanased after use in medical research by Dr William McBride of Foundation 41. > > Ducks have also found a friend in Ms Shanley. > > A few years ago, ducks were being used in high schools to teach children about parenting and responsibility. They were given day old ducklings which would " imprint " on their young human " parent " who would have to feed and care for them and check on them at night. > > After the experiments were over, the ducks ended up on local lakes. " The ducks didn't have the skills to survive " Ms Shanley said. > > Ms Shanley campaigned for two years to stop the practice, and legislation was introduced in 1998 to ban it. > > " They now use life-like dolls " she said. > > Ms Shanley has now been awarded a compassion award from the World League for the Protection of Animals for outstanding contributions to animal welfare. > > She was presented with the award at a ceremony in the Blue Mountains on January 26. > > Ms Shanley says it is her passion for animal welfare work that is keeping her alive. > > In 1998 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2002, she was found to have cancer in her bones. > > " I would have given up in 2002 if it hadn't been for my animals welfare work " she said. " Now I seem to be getting better " . > > While primates and cats are a passion, Ms Shanley is also concerned about the animals she sees about her in day to day life. Two of the things that upset her are: " People leaving dogs chained up all day, and people who deliberately run over lizards and snakes when they see them on the road " . > End of Article. > My note. Lyn was given the award because she has had brought about legislation changes in Australia several times to the benefit of animals and also has changed the opinions of people to the benefit of animals. > Michael Ryan. > Secretary. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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