(MY) Report cards on zoos

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Tuesday, February 19, 2002

 

ONE organisation that has long called for zoos and animal parks to have

guidelines has been the Penang-based Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM). Last year,

SAM compiled a report based on three nationwide surveys done over a period

of six years, from 1995.

SAM looked at 20 animal viewing facilities; all are permanent facilities

established by the state, municipal council or private enterprise. They

include fun park attractions, mini zoos, aviaries, snake parks, deer parks,

crocodile farms, reptile parks and butterfly farms.

 

In conducting the surveys, SAM took into account factors such as the

surroundings, public amusement facilities, the presence or lack of

vandalism, treatment of animals, and the presence or lack of veterinary

staff.

 

Generally speaking

In some of the smaller zoos, animal cages had no exposure to sunlight,

lacked space for comfortable movement, and lacked proper drainage, adequate

security railings, climbing or exercise facilities, and enough floor or

resting space.

 

Most of the bear, lion, and tiger enclosures were designed to ensure visitor

safety but neglected animal safety.

 

For instance, restraining rails with spikes welded onto their inner faces

that could harm the animals surrounded most enclosures. Water barriers that

could also be hazardous to animals were engineered without safety features;

animals have been known to drown in the moats.

 

In all the smaller facilities, animals were subject to solitary confinement

in sterile cells because the zoo managers claimed that the animals were

unaware that they needed conditions very similar to their natural habitats.

 

At some of the bird parks, aviaries and mini zoos, bird enclosures not only

inhibited the freedom of the birds to the point of death-inducing boredom,

but also encouraged inter-species attacking.

 

Different species were placed in the same enclosures, which were usually

barren wire mesh cages with solitary perches. The absence of sand-baths,

swinging perches, flying space or other diversions had driven the birds into

feather-plucking boredom. Many were observed to be completely bald or in the

process of balding. The enclosures also lacked hiding niches, allowing

stronger birds to attack and kill weaker ones out of want for activity.

 

Bird enclosures were built without considering the bird's natural free

flying instinct. The birds were often chained; some had their wings clipped,

while others suffered from broken and damaged plumage when their attempts to

fly were hampered by cramped space.

 

Some of the enclosures were built without considering the sun's movements or

animals' natural rhythms; for instance, enclosures containing nocturnal

birds and reptiles were exposed to the hot midday sun, causing enormous

amounts of stress and discomfort.

 

Selected observations

 

Taman Jubli Bird Park, Sungai Petani, Perak: The owl exhibit was too exposed

and the birds were easily frightened when visitors surrounding their cage

shouted and banged on the cage. There was an owl on a wire mesh floor with

an injured wing.

 

Taman Buaya HB Village in Kota Baru, Kelantan: Water birds standing in a

pool of stagnant, filthy, murky water, unchanged for weeks. A pair of slow

loris slept curled up with heads tucked under their bodies. The nocturnal

animals were fully exposed to direct light with no shady branches for cover.

A man banged hard at the cage to provoke movement and they were also poked

and probed by the children.

 

Kuala Krai Mini Zoo in Kelantan: Floor of primate exhibit area was moist and

damp and covered in algae, as it was under a huge shade tree. The concrete

trough contained dirty water meant for drinking. The primates indulged in

obsessive self-grooming, repetitive movements of climbing, sitting, munching

and banging on the metal bars of their enclosure.

 

Taman Burung Gua Musang, Kelantan: Hens, cockerels and peacocks confined

together in an overcrowded area designed to look like a gigantic bird-cage.

 

The Johor Zoo: Horses with ribs protruding from their sides, severely

underfed. One horse was spotted eating its own faeces.

 

 

Some recommendations

All zoos, aviaries and bird parks, and reptile and snake parks owned by both

private individuals and local authorities should be subjected to a mandatory

licensing system, which includes a licence to operate, a licence to breed

the animals, and compulsory training programmes for all staff running such

premises. As part of the licensing process a competent authority should be

assigned in each state to inspect the zoos and issue a provisional licence

for a period of 12 months. Failure to conform to the system and quality

veterinary care would entail the withdrawal of the operating licence.

 

A resident vet should be on the staff of each zoo and menagerie. Zoos and

other places where animals are kept in captivity with unduly high mortality

through neglect or incompetence should be taken to task and there must be a

prohibition on further acquisitions.

 

A Central Zoo Fund should be drawn up, with contributions from all operating

zoos. In the event of serious financial difficulties leading to a temporary

closure of zoos for a limited period, the operational and care costs can be

taken care of, thus alleviating unnecessary suffering of the zoo animals. -

Compiled by S.S. YOGA