Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Friday, April 01, 2005 - The Star Strange creatures the current rage By VIVIENNE PAL At first meeting, Daniel Lim regards you with a slight wariness; but, start talking about his pets and the reticence immediately evaporates to reveal an articulate and highly intelligent 15-year-old. Daniel Lim has a soft spot for reptiles and his knowledge on the animals is impressive even by adult standards. “My first pet was an iguana which I had when I was seven years old. My parents are very supportive of my love for reptiles and advised me to do some research before deciding on the pet I wanted,” said Lim, whose in-depth knowledge was born from experience, and voracious reading of books and research on the Internet. Besides a variety of fish and a Boxer, he is the proud owner of a Ball Python (which he keeps in his room) and three Leopard Geckos. The lad sometimes goes hunting for snakes, too. Daniel Lim joins a growing group of exotic pet owners in the Klang Valley. While the popularity of conventional pets like dogs, cats and fish remains evergreen, the demand for exotic pets in recent years has been significant. “Ten years ago, importers told me that the target audience for exotic animals only constituted 10% of the entire spectrum of pet owners, but now, based on the licence applications that I see, the increase is significantly more noticeable,” said Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director Misliah Mohamed Basir. While there are those whose interest in the animals is genuine, there are some who equate ownership of exotic pets as a status symbol. “Exotic pets are generally ‘show-off’ pets; many people buy to show off because they are uncommon,” said Jusco Home Centre Pet House manager Daniel Lee. Pusat Haiwan Atlantis Safari Sdn Bhd owner Patrick Lee said exotic pet owners were generally the younger crowd. “Teenagers are a target because they are more affluent these days. They want to be different and own something different. “Excitement is the main element,” said Patrick Lee. “Having exotic pets not only set the owners apart from other ‘conventional’ pet owners, the pet stores who sell these animals also benefit from the hype as these exotic animals are crowd-pullers. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” he added. However, there are some issues arising from the pet trend-shift, which must be addressed. A severe lack of knowledge among pet owners and suppliers (includes importers and pet store staff) is one. “Research is important because it helps would-be exotic pet owners decide better whether they want to keep those animals or not, and ensures they are better equipped in caring for their pets,” said Misliah. For animal lover Steven Sequerah, lack of time for pets is another issue that must be tackled. “Knowledge and awareness is important, but that’s pointless if owners don’t have time to take care of their pets,” said Sequerah who owns fish, birds, snakes, tortoises, turtles and scorpions, and has had extensive experience in caring for wild and domestic cats, dogs, and monkeys. “Lack of time and knowledge on caring for the pets are reasons why people release these pets into the wild,” he added. Indeed, indiscriminate releasing of exotic animals into the wild could be detrimental to the ecosystem. “Alien invasion - the invasion of ‘alien’ species into local surroundings - causes displacement among our domestic animals and ecological imbalance. For instance, the Red-eared Slider (an American species of turtles) is now dominating our river system because people have been releasing them into our rivers,” said Misliah. Also compounding the problem is the lack of professional treatment and expertise. “Our vets are not well-trained to handle alien species and if owners do not know who to turn to, they will seek advice from the pet stores. If the staff at the stores cannot help them, the chances of these owners releasing their pets into the wild, are very high,” said Daniel Lee. Then there are also issues pertaining to the law. Misliah said it was the responsibility of suppliers to find out if the exotic animals they wanted to bring in are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. “They should abide by the law and obtain proper documentation and licences because it benefits them and their clients in the long term. “For instance, animals with proper documentation and licences can be re-exported to other countries. With proper documentation, pet owners who need to emigrate to another country will find it easy to bring their pets with them,” she said. While some suppliers flout or take advantage of loopholes in the law, Misliah admits there is nothing much the department can do. For the moment, enforcement is possible only if pet stores are illegally supplying protected animals. “When we go on our rounds to the pet stores, we will confiscate animals that have no documentation, licences or permits. “If the number of animals registered does not tally with what is in the store, we will confiscate the excess,” she said, adding that on top of confiscation, errant pet store owners could be slapped a compound of RM3,000 or three years’ jail, or both. Nonetheless, there is still abuse of the law because checks are not conducted often enough. “We cannot conduct checks regularly. “Usually we will rely on informants or we monitor stores that we suspect are selling animals illegally. There are too many, for us to keep track. “Checking on smuggling and poaching of animals is more important and that keep us on our toes all the time,” she added. _______________ Block pop-up ads with MSN Toolbar. http://toolbar.msn.com.my/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 The practice of keeping,selling and export of Exotic Animals as pets must be discouraged and opposed at every platform.The exotic animals could not survive in a different atmosphere from its natural habitat. It is usually seen that some Countries like India the Exotic Animals do not fall under the provisions of Indian Wildlife Protection act 1972 and Animal Welfare Organisations have a tough time tp presaude the Wildlife authorities to rehabilitate them if they become victim of Cruelty.The Law of the land of origin of these animals should be applicable.There should ban on trade and breeding of these animals in these countries. Sandeep On Fri, 01 Apr 2005 yitze ling wrote : > > > >Friday, April 01, 2005 - The Star > >Strange creatures the current rage >By VIVIENNE PAL > >At first meeting, Daniel Lim regards you with a slight wariness; but, start >talking about his pets and the reticence immediately evaporates to reveal an >articulate and highly intelligent 15-year-old. >Daniel Lim has a soft spot for reptiles and his knowledge on the animals is >impressive even by adult standards. >“My first pet was an iguana which I had when I was seven years old. My >parents are very supportive of my love for reptiles and advised me to do >some research before deciding on the pet I wanted,” said Lim, whose in-depth >knowledge was born from experience, and voracious reading of books and >research on the Internet. >Besides a variety of fish and a Boxer, he is the proud owner of a Ball >Python (which he keeps in his room) and three Leopard Geckos. The lad >sometimes goes hunting for snakes, too. >Daniel Lim joins a growing group of exotic pet owners in the Klang Valley. >While the popularity of conventional pets like dogs, cats and fish remains >evergreen, the demand for exotic pets in recent years has been significant. >“Ten years ago, importers told me that the target audience for exotic >animals only constituted 10% of the entire spectrum of pet owners, but now, >based on the licence applications that I see, the increase is significantly >more noticeable,” said Department of Wildlife and National Parks >(Perhilitan) director Misliah Mohamed Basir. >While there are those whose interest in the animals is genuine, there are >some who equate ownership of exotic pets as a status symbol. >“Exotic pets are generally ‘show-off’ pets; many people buy to show off >because they are uncommon,” said Jusco Home Centre Pet House manager Daniel >Lee. >Pusat Haiwan Atlantis Safari Sdn Bhd owner Patrick Lee said exotic pet >owners were generally the younger crowd. >“Teenagers are a target because they are more affluent these days. They want >to be different and own something different. >“Excitement is the main element,” said Patrick Lee. >“Having exotic pets not only set the owners apart from other ‘conventional’ >pet owners, the pet stores who sell these animals also benefit from the hype >as these exotic animals are crowd-pullers. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” >he added. >However, there are some issues arising from the pet trend-shift, which must >be addressed. A severe lack of knowledge among pet owners and suppliers >(includes importers and pet store staff) is one. >“Research is important because it helps would-be exotic pet owners decide >better whether they want to keep those animals or not, and ensures they are >better equipped in caring for their pets,” said Misliah. >For animal lover Steven Sequerah, lack of time for pets is another issue >that must be tackled. >“Knowledge and awareness is important, but that’s pointless if owners don’t >have time to take care of their pets,” said Sequerah who owns fish, birds, >snakes, tortoises, turtles and scorpions, and has had extensive experience >in caring for wild and domestic cats, dogs, and monkeys. >“Lack of time and knowledge on caring for the pets are reasons why people >release these pets into the wild,” he added. >Indeed, indiscriminate releasing of exotic animals into the wild could be >detrimental to the ecosystem. >“Alien invasion - the invasion of ‘alien’ species into local surroundings - >causes displacement among our domestic animals and ecological imbalance. For >instance, the Red-eared Slider (an American species of turtles) is now >dominating our river system because people have been releasing them into our >rivers,” said Misliah. >Also compounding the problem is the lack of professional treatment and >expertise. >“Our vets are not well-trained to handle alien species and if owners do not >know who to turn to, they will seek advice from the pet stores. If the staff >at the stores cannot help them, the chances of these owners releasing their >pets into the wild, are very high,” said Daniel Lee. >Then there are also issues pertaining to the law. >Misliah said it was the responsibility of suppliers to find out if the >exotic animals they wanted to bring in are protected under the Wildlife >Protection Act 1972. >“They should abide by the law and obtain proper documentation and licences >because it benefits them and their clients in the long term. >“For instance, animals with proper documentation and licences can be >re-exported to other countries. With proper documentation, pet owners who >need to emigrate to another country will find it easy to bring their pets >with them,” she said. >While some suppliers flout or take advantage of loopholes in the law, >Misliah admits there is nothing much the department can do. >For the moment, enforcement is possible only if pet stores are illegally >supplying protected animals. >“When we go on our rounds to the pet stores, we will confiscate animals that >have no documentation, licences or permits. >“If the number of animals registered does not tally with what is in the >store, we will confiscate the excess,” she said, adding that on top of >confiscation, errant pet store owners could be slapped a compound of RM3,000 >or three years’ jail, or both. >Nonetheless, there is still abuse of the law because checks are not >conducted often enough. >“We cannot conduct checks regularly. >“Usually we will rely on informants or we monitor stores that we suspect are >selling animals illegally. There are too many, for us to keep track. >“Checking on smuggling and poaching of animals is more important and that >keep us on our toes all the time,” she added. > >_______________ >Block pop-up ads with MSN Toolbar. http://toolbar.msn.com.my/ > > > > > > > >For more information on Asian animal issues, please use the search feature on the AAPN website: http://www.aapn.org/ or search the list archives at: aapn >Please feel free to send any relevant news or comments to the list at aapn > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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