(TH)Plan to save at-risk species

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/05Jul2003_news12.html

 

Bangkok Post

WILDLIFE

 

Plan to save at-risk species

 

Legislation not up to task, minister says

 

Ranjana Wangvipula

 

State wildlife experts are drafting a master plan to

prevent rare animals from going extinct, as the

wildlife conservation act is not up to the task, the

natural resources and environment minister said.

 

``The law simply says whether certain species are near

extinction and classifies them [in accordance with the

level of endangerment], but it does not mean rare

animals will not disappear,'' Praphat Panyachartrak

said. The plan would target more than 500 threatened

species in forests and waters, Mr Praphat.

 

Wildlife expert Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, chief of a

technical support team to Mr Praphat, said at least

three types of animals were giving concern: Siamese

Eldi deer (La Mang), some species of wild cattle such

as Gaur Banteng (a local bison) and Gurney Pitta (a

rare bird with a black stomach).

 

But a good plan to protect these animals might prove

unsatisfactory if the government paid insufficient

attention to the degraded habitats of endangered

species, high demand for wildlife products, and tardy

forestry officials, said Surapon Duangkhae,

secretary-general of Wildlife Fund Thailand.

 

''If we have a plan but no one follows it, how will we

solve the problems?'' he said.

 

Mr Surapon was disappointed with the management in

some national parks where tourists were allowed to

feed animals such as monkeys and deer, almost turning

them into pets.

 

Improving management of wild animals was a complicated

issue, Mr Surapon said.

 

Villagers living at a forest's edge could be invited

to monitor illegal activities and preserve animal

shelters, as one way to manage animals better.

 

 

 

 

 

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