(MY) bird releasing ritual

[Guest guest]

Saturday June 3, 2006 - The Star

 

 

You can help end animal abuse

 

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia fully supports the call by the Venerable Dr. K. Sri

Dhammananda, the Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore to forgo the

bird-releasing ritual.

 

Unfortunately the buying of captive birds, fish or tortoises from pet shops

for release only perpetuates the continuation of exploiting birds and

manipulating the people's sense of compassion.

 

No matter what the reason (religious or compassionate), once birds are

bought and released, new ones are caught again to take their place.

 

Sometimes freed birds end up in the trappers' net to be re-sold. Thus the

vicious cycle of cruelty goes on and the business of selling captive birds

thrives.

 

No matter how heartbreaking the situation, one should not buy any animal or

bird in captivity. This will certainly discourage the cruel trade.

 

The other concern is the releasing of birds into unfamiliar surroundings.

Birds caught from the wild and imprisoned in crammed cages end up injured,

with wings broken, and when released, are destined to die from the injuries,

starvation or be killed by another animal

 

Again, animals kept in pet shops are fed daily; and when suddenly released

into the wild may face difficulty in finding food, only to die of starvation

in the end.

 

Animals such as fish and frogs, when released into the wild such as a

reservoir, soon die and their decomposed bodies affect the quality of the

water.

 

This is worse if the animals are sick or have parasites in them.

 

People should use their sense of compassion wisely and be knowledgeable

enough to understand that though their act symbolises compassion and respect

for life, such good intentions do more harm than good to the animals.

 

*S. M. MOHD IDRIS, *

*President, *

*Sahabat Alam Malaysia, *

*Penang.*

 

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Monday June 5, 2006 - The Star

 

Teach students about caring for animals

 

I WHOLLY agree with " You Can Help Curb Animal Abuse, " (*The Star*, June 3)

by S.M. Idris of Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

 

Malaysians are generally kind but there are still many people who are just

indifferent to animal welfare.

 

A man's nature can be known by how he treats animals and insects.

 

Having been a teacher for 15 years, I can say that most students don't know

the importance of being kind to animals.

 

They have no hands-on experience of compassionate handling of animals.

 

Therefore, it's high time the Education Ministry allowed the formation of

clubs that encourage kindness to animals.

 

Perhaps, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty Towards Animals should be

formed and animal care and welfare be made part of the co-curricular

education in our schools.

 

Many students will like it.

 

*K. PUVIRAJEN,

 

Penang.*