Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 - " Shirley McGreal " <smcgreal <jdewar Tuesday, April 20, 2004 9:29 AM From Malaysiakini > Gorilla scam: Wildlife crime unit needed > > Shirley McGreal > 3:18pm Tue Apr 20th, 2004 > > It is not surprising that the four gorillas smuggled from Nigeria to > Malaysia on false certificates of captive birth left Malaysia in secret - > with Malaysia's vigilant press left in the darkness. This was because a > <http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/2004041600115179.php>vile deed was being > done that could not withstand the light of examination by a free press or > alert civilians. > > Most Malaysians are probably aware that in Asia, baby orangutans are > brought into trade by the shooting of mother animals carrying babies. The > same is true of Africa's gorillas. But gorillas are a big draw for the > world's zoos, and there are some zoos that will make deals with the Devil > himself to get them. > > Forgetting the slaughter of the mothers and the sufferings inflicted on > their babies, Nigeria's presidential panel investigating wildlife crime has > revealed that six more gorilla babies had died at Ibadan. > > In 2001, a crooked Nigerian businessman offered gorillas to the world's > zoos - and claimed they were born in captivity at a zoo that has only one > gorilla. Anyone with half-a-brain could smell foul play! > > But we are told that Malaysia's then minister of science, technology and > environment Law Hieng Ding was 'duped.'. Well, one can take hope in the > fact that this man is now a former minister. > > Law was again 'duped' when he announced that the best zoo in the world for > caring for and breeding gorillas was the Pretoria Zoo in South Africa. At > that time, this zoo only owned one elderly male gorilla, three other adults > and two babies having died. > > It would be interesting to learn who 'duped' the minister on this point. > Maybe he duped himself, but why? > > Details of the deal that took the four gorillas from Malaysia to a South > African zoo - despite the fact that the gorillas had been smuggled aboard a > South African airways flight and had passed through South Africa in transit > - should be made public in the interests of transparency. > > Earlier there was talk of possible offspring of these gorillas being sent > to Malaysia, or other African animals. What's going on? SM Idris of SAM is > correct to <http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/2004041600115179.php>demand an > investigation into the affair and to protest the likelihood that all > Malaysians involved appear will get off scot-free. > > Clearly, Malaysia needs to establish a national wildlife crime unit with > the ability to investigate and prosecute criminal activities, such as > happened in this case. If Malaysia had a Freedom of Information Act, this > would deter government wrongdoing and help expose it when it does happen. > > (The writer is the chairperson of the International Primate Protection > League). > > <http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/200404200036731.php>http://www.malaysia kini.com/letters/200404200036731.php > > Malaysia Kini > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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