Call to keep elephants in Thailand

July 8, 2006

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Australian zoos should reconsider their plans to import eight Asian elephants

from Thailand, given widespread opposition to the idea, animal welfare groups

say.

RSPCA Australia, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Humane Society

International say they have offered to find a solution that is in the best

interests of the elephants.

The elephants earmarked for Sydney's Taronga Zoo and the Melbourne Zoo are said

to be in good condition at a quarantine station in Thailand.

The elephants remain in quarantine at Kanchanaburi, in western Thailand, after

an attempt to transport them to Bangkok Airport on June 6 was blocked by animal

rights protesters.

Despite negotiations between the Thai and Australian governments, the elephants'

departure date is still unknown.

" We encourage the zoos to work with us to help save the species in Thailand and

find these eight animals sanctuary where they belong at home in Thailand, " the

groups said in a joint media statement.

" Not one animal welfare or conservation organisation anywhere in the world has

spoken out in favour of bringing the elephants to Australia.

" If the zoos really care about these animals surely it is time for them to

consider alternatives such as sending the elephants to a sanctuary in Thailand. "

Recent media reports said the zoos were considering legal action against the

activists standing in their way.

But a spokesman for the zoos, Mark Williams, said at the time that any talk of

legal action to recover transport costs was " premature at best " .

Both zoos had complied with all the necessary regulations in bringing the

elephants to Australia, Mr Williams said.

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