Guest guest Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 A response from the secretariat of WAZA to my enquiry: " Dear Ms. Desilets Thank you for your mail. Actually Ms. Lai did not chair a session, but just presented a paper in a technical session, which is a privilege of all WAZA Members who wish to do so. Oran-utan tea parties at Singapore Zoo have been an issue already several years ago, and if my memory is correct, the predecessor of Ms. Lai said they were to stop this practice. I will forward your mail to the chair of the WAZA Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee for follow-up. Yours sincerely Peter Dollinger -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: secretariat [secretariat] Gesendet: Montag, 17. Oktober 2005 08:25 An: waza.director Betreff: WG: Singapore Zoo and WAZA Code of Ethics: Incongruous Wichtigkeit: Hoch -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: Michelle Desilets [bosf_uk] Gesendet: Sonntag, 2. Oktober 2005 20:57 An: secretariat Cc: paazab; astrandquist; BPueschel; info; safari; agoram; Cool40; info; generalinquiry; hulsker; WyvernJK; knott; redapekeepers; SWinter; orangnetwork; help; suesheward; Mette.Hanson; parrotdoc; pongolisa; stevenslm; NormRosen; rshumake; mokko; jan.howard1; socp; vschaik; s.wehnelt; rmcmanamon Betreff: Singapore Zoo and WAZA Code of Ethics: Incongruous Wichtigkeit: Hoch Dear Mr Dollinger, It has come to our attention that the Executive of Singapore Zoo, Fanny Lai, is chairing a session entitled “Integrated Approach to Wildlife Conservation and Education in South East Asia” at this week’s WAZA conference. I would like to question WAZA’s choice of speaker for this topic in light of a recent notice on the Singapore Zoo’s website which congratulates the zoo’s use of two Sumatran orangutans in a Bollywood film production. (http://www.zoo.com.sg/about/NEWS/news13092005a.htm) It is unclear how the orangutans’ presence in a film about superpowers and aliens adds to either conservation or education. Furthermore, this exploitative use of an endangered species only helps to fuel the growing trade in wildlife such as orangutans, a battle we are fighting throughout south east Asia and worldwide. It is irresponsible of a zoo, particularly one of such popularity in the region, to promote activities such as this, and also to offer Breakfast with the Orangutans and photo opportunities with orangutans to paying guests. How do these activities fit into the WAZA Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare which states, “our profession is based on respect for the dignity of the animals in our care” and “Where " wild " animals are used in presentations, these presentations must:- (a) deliver a sound conservation message, or be of other educational value, (b) focus on natural behaviour, © not demean or trivialise the animal in any way.” We ask that you reconsider your choice of speaker for this session, as in light of the above revelations, it is clear that the current choice is entirely inappropriate. We look forward to your reply. Kind regards, Michelle Desilets Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation UK Michelle Desilets BOS UK www.savetheorangutan.org.uk www.savetheorangutan.info " Primates Helping Primates " Please sign our petition to rescue over 100 smuggled orangutans in Thailand: http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/822035733 _________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Security Centre. http://uk.security. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Hi All, Hereunder a taken off the website of the Singapore Zoo from http://www.zoo.com.sg/education/talks.htm " Education and Conservation Events " Zoo Discovery Series - Animal Stars Up Close (Back by popular demand) Ever wonder how the stars of our Animal Shows are able to 'tickle your toes' with their natural yet hilarious acts? Come on down and meet the people who have it possible! Go 'behind the scenes' and meet some of our Animal Stars. Date : 13 November, Sunday Time : 12.00-1.00pm (includes Q & A session) Venue : Auditorium @ Learning Centre Presenter : Mr. Vinodh, Animal Training, Manager, Singapore Zoo Fee : Free* (Zoo admission applies) I wonder where the " conservation " link is, and definitely see no education value here other than teaching people how to make wildlife to do degrading tricks... It is time that the Singapore zoo admits it is just a big tourism business and nothing else. Edwin Wiek WFFT Thailand Director BOSF Rep. Thailand ====================================================== Original Message ====================================================== Dear Mr Dollinger, It has come to our attention that the Executive of Singapore Zoo, Fanny Lai, is chairing a session entitled " Integrated Approach to Wildlife Conservation and Education in South East Asia " at this week's WAZA conference. I would like to question WAZA's choice of speaker for this topic in light of a recent notice on the Singapore Zoo's website which congratulates the zoo's use of two Sumatran orangutans in a Bollywood film production. (http://www.zoo.com.sg/about/NEWS/news13092005a.htm) It is unclear how the orangutans' presence in a film about superpowers and aliens adds to either conservation or education. Furthermore, this exploitative use of an endangered species only helps to fuel the growing trade in wildlife such as orangutans, a battle we are fighting throughout south east Asia and worldwide. It is irresponsible of a zoo, particularly one of such popularity in the region, to promote activities such as this, and also to offer Breakfast with the Orangutans and photo opportunities with orangutans to paying guests. How do these activities fit into the WAZA Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare which states, " our profession is based on respect for the dignity of the animals in our care " and " Where " wild " animals are used in presentations, these presentations must:- (a) deliver a sound conservation message, or be of other educational value, (b) focus on natural behaviour, © not demean or trivialise the animal in any way. " We ask that you reconsider your choice of speaker for this session, as in light of the above revelations, it is clear that the current choice is entirely inappropriate. We look forward to your reply. Kind regards, Michelle Desilets Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation UK Michelle Desilets BOS UK www.savetheorangutan.org.uk www.savetheorangutan.info " Primates Helping Primates " Please sign our petition to rescue over 100 smuggled orangutans in Thailand: http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/822035733 _________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Security Centre. http://uk.security. 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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