Time to stop wild animal shows in Singapore

[Guest guest]

Time to stop wild animal shows in Singapore

 

I refer to the article " Online petition to stop live animal shows at

zoo " (April 28). (BELOW)

 

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) thanks

the Singapore Zoo for responding to our concerns. While we regret

their decision to carry on using wild animals in animal shows, we

look forward to holding further discussions with them.

 

In the article, Dr Ho from the Singapore Zoo stated that " The safety

of the public during shows is constantly reviewed. "

 

If this is indeed true, we would like to enquire how the serval

managed to attack a member of the public? We would like to further

enquire about the fate of the serval.

 

Animal escapes at Wildlife Reserves Singapore's (WRS) establishments

are also not an unusual occurrence (e.g. 1973, black panther; 1974,

hippopotamus; 1982, orangutan; 1996, tiger; 1997, chimpanzee; 2004

chimpanzee). Following some of these escapes, the WRS establishment

in question reassured the public that they would look into their

safety protocol, yet time and time again, further escapes have

happened.

 

This year, the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari will again review

their safety protocol. Based on the past, however, will we really be

surprised if an escape or attack happens again?

 

Dr Ho further said that the animal shows " help educate visitors

about animals in a fun way, demonstrating their natural behaviour

and abilities " . Anyone who has watched the show will know that a

variety of unnatural behaviours are performed. These circus tricks

clearly do not educate the public about conserving these species. In

fact, it is degrading for the animals. The simple fact that

orangutans are displayed performing and walking on the ground is

already misleading the public. Orangutans are highly arboreal

animals in the wild and rarely come down to the forest floor.

 

Acres once again urges WRS to take the initiative and end to the use

of wild animals in their animal performances. If Singapore Zoo and

the Night Safari are indeed keen to create an educational experience

for their 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 (MSc)

President and Executive Director

Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)

 

 

28 April 2005

 

TODAY

 

Online petition to stop live animal shows at zoo

 

Recent mishaps show public safety, animal welfare endangered, says

local group

 

Sheralyn Tay

sheralyn

 

A LOCAL animal welfare group has launched an online petition to ban

live wild animal shows at the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari after a

series of animal escapes and mishaps.

..

In a press statement yesterday, the Animal Concerns Research and

Education Society (Acres) pointed out that the recent

incidents " raised serious concerns, both in terms of public safety

and animal welfare " .

..

Acres cited the 2002 decision by the Agri-Food and Veterinary

Authority of Singapore (AVA) to ban performing animals in travelling

circuses due to safety and welfare issues.

..

The group claimed the rationale for that ban should be extended to

Wildlife Reserves Singapore — the parent company of both the

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

..

Mr Louis Ng, biologist and president of Acres, said: " Perhaps the

animals at the Singapore Zoo are trying to escape because they are

seeking more stimulation, space and varied environment, which they

are currently not being provided. "

..

He added: " It is simply fortunate that these escapes and attacks

have not resulted in more serious injuries and death. We might not

be so lucky the next time. "

..

Responding, Dr Ho Yew Kee, executive director of Wildlife Reserves

Singapore, said the animal shows " help educate visitors about

animals in a fun way, demonstrating their natural behaviour and

abilities " .

..

" These animals perform tasks that are part of enrichment and they do

so along their attention span. The safety of the public during shows

is constantly reviewed, as is the welfare of the animals

themselves, " Dr Ho added.

..

" We share Acres' aim of fostering respect and compassion for all

animals. Indeed, we have collaborated in the past on animal

repatriation projects. However, we believe that the sentiments they

have expressed … are misplaced. "

..

A spokesperson from the AVA also clarified its position, saying the

ban did not apply to animal performances at the zoo or Jurong

Birdpark as " the performing animals in these places need not travel

and are trained by a reward system " .

..

" In addition, these animals are also housed in an environment

designed to be as close to their natural habitat as possible, " the

spokesperson said.

..

In 2003, Acres started a petition for the release of six pink

dolphins — a highly endangered species — from Underwater World at

Sentosa. They had argued that at least four of the dolphins were

caught from the wild and not bred in captivity. The petition

garnered 8,399 signatures but did not secure the release of the

dolphins.