Orangutan Smuggling Case Depends Upon International Pressure

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Orangutan Smuggling Case Depends Upon International

Pressure

 

The 115 illegally smuggled orangutans at Safari World

in Thailand face an indeterminate period of

incarceration in Thailand unless public outcry reaches

the ears of the Thai officials.

Although Article VIII of CITES* calls for the return

of the orangutans to their country of origin, the

legal process in Thailand can delay their return until

a verdict is made. The Borneo Orangutan Survival

Foundation (BOS) and the Indonesian government have

called for the Thai authorities to return the

orangutans immediately, regardless of court cases,

prosecutions or bureaucracy, to rescue centres in

Indonesia operated by BOS.

The Thai Forestry police now intend to remove the

orangutans to local centres. There is concern over

the suitability of these centres as an interim

residence for the orangutans. International animal

welfare agencies insist that these facilities be

inspected prior to the movement of the orangutans to

ensure that they stand up to international standards

for the proper care of these animals.

A letter has been sent to the Prime Minister of

Thailand, IUCN and CITES, signed by Dr Willie Smits of

Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation as well as

directors from other animal welfare agencies, calling

for the immediate return of the orangutans to their

place of origin. Several other agencies, as well as

hundreds of private individuals have subsequently

submitted further letters of appeal. It is hoped that

with enough public outcry, the Thai government will

agree to the requests set forth by BOS and the

Indonesian government.

 

For more information, please contact Borneo Orangutan

Survival Foundation UK at bos_uk

 

Michelle Desilets

BOS UK

 

 

 

 

* Article VIII

Measures to be taken by the parties

 

1. The Parties shall take appropriate measures to

enforce the provisions of

the present Convention and to prohibit trade in

specimens in violation

thereof. These shall include measures:

(a) to penalize trade in, or possession of such

specimens, or both; and

(b) to provide for the confiscation or return to

the State of export of

such specimens. ......

 

 

 

 

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