(MY) letter to editor

[Guest guest]

Letter to Editor

 

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) 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 in the NST of 11th May 2006.

 

Unfortunately the buying of captive birds, fish or tortoises from the 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 purchased and released, new

ones are caught again to take their place. Sometimes freed birds end up in

the trappers' net to be re-sold again. 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 ended up

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

injuries, starvation or be killed by another animal

 

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

into the wild they 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 the

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

water.

 

This is worse if the animals are sick with diseases or have parasites in

them.

 

As far as conservationists are concerned, exotics are a potential problem.

Their ceremonial release creates ecological hazards. They may threaten

biodiversity as alien species are thrust into new habitats, effectively

killing off the animals with misplaced kindness.

 

It is hard to quantify any environmental damage as no specific studies have

been carried out.

 

 

 

People just do not know about the animals and the environment often playing

with variables that they do not know anything about. Freshwater turtles are

mistakenly thought to have come from the sea and when released into the sea

the salt water blinds and kills them.

 

Freshwater fish dropped into the sea are similarly doomed.

 

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.

 

What the public do not know is that many die being captured or transported

or in the crowded cages in pet stores

 

Singapore has taken the initiative to address the problem of releasing of

birds and exotics from captivity by imposing a fine of up to $50,000.

 

 

S M Mohd Idris

President

Sahabat Alam Malaysia

Penang