Re Taiping Zoo gorilla deal: CITES Secretariat role

[Guest guest]

Extracts from fax from John Sellar, Senior Enforcement Officer, CITES,

dated 2 July 2002, sent to the CITES Management of Malaysia (MA). IPPL had

learned in late March 2002 about the arrival of four infant gorillas at

Taiping Zoo and provided documents to the Secretariat.

 

1) The Secretariat informed the Malaysian MA that it is " awaiting

news " of its investigation into the " Taiping Four " gorilla deal.

2) The Secretariat asked how the Scientific Authority had satisfied

itself that the import of gorillas and chimpanzees (which were also

included on the import permit) " would not be detrimental to the survival of

the species involved. "

3) The Secretariat asked if there was a discrepancy between the number

of animals actually received and those on the import permit.

4) The Secretariat asked for details of the reported " animal exchange

programme " between Taiping Zoo and the University of Ibadan.

5) The Secretariat asked for financial details of the deal.

6) The Secretariat asked about the role of the firm NigerCom Solutions

and for the name of the actual supplier of the animals.

7) The Secretariat asked who " Suffian Suppieh Bin Abdullah " is (the

man was involved in the deal).

8) The Secretariat referred to its fax sent to the Malaysian MA on 13

November 2001 raising questions " regarding another proposed shipment of

gorillas between Nigeria and Malaysia. " This proposed deal involved the

" Fish Paradise Company. "

9) The Secretariat noted that Nigeria " apparently acknowledged " that

the gorilla shipment was illegal and that, " We have asked Nigeria to advise

us whether the other specimens in the shipment are also of illegal origin,

since they were said to have been captive-bred in the Nigerian zoo. "

 

The Secretariat then discussed the future of the gorillas. It

appears that, well before there was talk of the gorillas being confiscated,

Pretoria Zoo was being promoted for placement of the gorillas. There is no

mention of any other candidate zoo (there would surely have been many) or

of sending the animals to a sanctuary. Despite IPPL having located the

animals, and obtained the shipping documents, we were not asked for

suggestions re placement!!!! Sellar stated:

 

" For your information, we are indicating to Nigeria that we think it

is not appropriate for specimens to be returned to a country from which

they were illegally exported.

If you wish assistance regarding the disposal of the gorillas, the

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has contacted us and offered to

provide advice, It apparently knows of a facility in Africa that would be

able to provide long-term accommodation in a suitable environment. The

Association's Director can be contacted at:

waza.director "

 

IPPL NOTE: An infant gorilla and an infant chimpanzee were drowned in a vat

of chemicals at Cairo Airport in September 2001. It is not known whether

they were on their way to Malaysia.

 

Dr. Shirley McGreal, Chairwoman

International Primate Protection League

PO Box 766

Summerville, SC 29484, USA

Phone - 843-871-2280, Fax- 843-871-7988

E-mail - smcgreal, Web: www.ippl.org

 

" He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt.

He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord

would suffice. "

--Albert Einstein