press release for circulation from Friends of the Earth Malaysia

[Guest guest]

Press Release

 

South Africa should return the gorillas to Cameroon.

 

 

With reference to the Taiping Four gorillas, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is

certainly not amazed to learn that the gorillas are now set for public

display. The planned outcome for the future of these gorillas is even more

worrisome, as South Africa has failed in its promise to send the gorillas

back to Cameroon. Now it seems certain that South Africa is dead set on

keeping the primates for their genes which are highly prized. The zoo world

is desperately in need of wild genes which is vital to the captive

population. Sending these gorillas to a sanctuary will deprive zoos of the

availability of the genes. Zoos that keep these gorillas benefit

immensely.

 

SAM is puzzled over the silence on the part of the Natural and Environment

Ministry in response to the news of the display of the gorillas. Is the

Malaysian authority duped once again by misleading or empty promises that

is being used as a basis for a decision, now that no preparation has been

made to release the apes to its country of origin?

 

And Taiping Zoo which seemed to have an affinity with the wild caught

gorillas right from the beginning, has chosen to remain silent instead of

keeping tab on the situation and updating the public on the welfare of the

animals. The public has a right to know and the Taiping Zoo authorities

should be held accountable for their actions.

 

Furthermore, the earlier decision to send the Taiping Four to Pretoria

deserves serious questioning. The World Association of Zoos and Aquarium

(WAZA) claimed they did not make any decision, but only recommendation to

Pretoria. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

(CITES) claimed they did not make any decision either, only the Government

of Malaysia has the final say. However, it is most regrettable that there

has not been any response from Malaysia in explaining their decision in the

choice of Pretoria Zoo, with a poor record of gorilla survival over a

sanctuary with an excellent record of gorilla keeping – Limbe Wildlife

Centre.

 

SAM’s concern over the gorillas issue has not diminished with time.

Instead SAM has initiated with letters to the President of South Africa, the

South African Department of Environment and the South African High

Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, to express our concerns and views on the

gorillas held captive at Pretoria Zoo and to request for their return to

Cameroon to which a response has yet to be received.

 

While criminal prosecution of those involved in the transaction of the

gorillas have taken place in Nigeria, SAM is perturbed that the Taiping zoo

director and several others implicated in the act are not charged with any

criminal deeds.

 

In the wake of this circumstances, SAM is pleased to learn that the

Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has conducted an on-going investigation into

the matter. A potentially explosive probe by the ACA could throw light on

the case and no stone should be left unturned in tracking down those

responsible for the fraud and abuse of power, which has never been

questioned or verified to this day.

 

Mr. S M Mohd Idris

President

Friends of the Earth Malaysia otherwise known as Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)

9 Solok Mas

11600 Penang

Tel: 04-6596930 Fax: 04-6596931

 

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