SINGAPORE: EDUCATE MINUS THE CLAWS

[Guest guest]

TODAY

4 May 2005

 

EDUCATE MINUS THE CLAWS

Zoo can teach and entertain without risking human life or animal

welfare

 

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) would

like to thank Yuen Xiang Hao and James Chua for their

letters, " Call `inflated' " and " Sentiments spot on " (April 30),

respectively.

 

Indeed, there is nothing educational about seeing orangutans perform

circus tricks, as Mr. Chua stated.

 

With regard to Mr. Hao's letter, the incident of the serval

attacking a member of the public during a show at the Night Safari

is the reason Acres is calling for an end to the use of wild animals

in shows.

 

Acres certainly feels that shows involving the use of wild animals

are detrimental to animal welfare. However, in this instance, the

serious threat to public safety is sufficient to call for a ban on

wild animals in animal shows.

 

It is important to note that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority

has already imposed a local ban on wild animals performing in

traveling circuses.

 

Part of the reason for imposing this ban was to ensure public

safety, as the number of such accidents had been increasing- in some

cases, resulting in serious injuries and death.

 

A number of animals used in the shows are classified by the zoo and

Night Safari as " Category One " (the highest category with regard to

potential danger) animals, which the zoo itself deems as potentially

dangerous.

 

Based on the zoo's statements, the attack by the serval on a member

of the public was not due to a lapse in safety protocols.

 

Indeed, no matter how well-trained zoo staff are, the Singapore Zoo

and Night Safari must acknowledge that their staff can never predict

when a wild animal will attack, and this puts the public at risk.

 

No doubt, we put ourselves in danger in our everyday activities. We

can, however, take measures to reduce the risks, for example by

wearing seat belts in the car.

 

If a wild animal attacks during a show, defenceless onlookers can do

nothing to protect themselves.

 

The orangutans used, for instance, are at least six to seven times

stronger than the average human and more than capable of killing us.

 

If the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari are keen to create an

educational experience for visitors, we urge them to seek other

methods where the safety of the public and the welfare of the

animals are not compromised.

 

Louis Ng

President and Executive Director

Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)