Wildlife Fund Thailand shuts down

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, July/August 2007:

 

 

Wildlife Fund Thailand shuts down

 

BANGKOK--Wildlife Fund Thailand president Pisit na Phattalung

on June 19, 2007 abruptly suspended WFT operations and laid off all

40 staff and volunteers, effective on July 27.

" Pisit cited financial constraints. WFT staff were

skeptical, " reported Apinya Wipatayotin of the Bangkok Post, " saying

Pisit used the financial problems to get rid of staff who had accused

him of misconduct-- such as involvement [through his private company

Asian Wildlife Consultancy] in the export of eight Thai elephants to

Australian zoos [in November 2006], providing rare species of

wildlife to the Chiang Mai Night Safari park, and using his position

as foundation president to attain a post at the privately-run Siam

Ocean World aquarium. "

Former WFT secretary general Surapol Duangkhae " accused Pisit

of having a conflict of interest and not being fit for the presidency

of the organization, " Apinya wrote. " In May, Pisit transferred

Surapol and his aide Hannarong Yaowaloes to inactive posts. Their

relationship soured when the two criticized Pisit's wildlife trading

business. "

" We will file a complaint with the court because his wildlife

trading business is against the foundation's objectives, " Surapol

threatened.

Pisit reportedly also owns a restaurant called Puen

Deratchan, which includes a private mini-zoo.

Ten Thai organizations including Friends of the Asian

elephant in May 2007 announced they would boycott involvement with

WFT unless Pisit resigns.

The WFT closure may jeopardize the 13-year-old Khao Phaeng Ma

reforestation and wild gaur rehabilitation project, Apinya said.

" Once a bald mountain, Khao Phaeng Ma is now covered with dense

forest. The number of gaur has increased from less than 10 a decade

ago to more than 100 today, " Apinya recounted.

However, " Khao Phaeng Ma is now under threat from

encroachment and wildlife poaching due to staff shortages, " Apinya

continued, " because the National Park, Wildlife & Plant

Conservation Department could not provide staff " to replace WFT

personnel.

" WFT executives reportedly circulated a letter to the

project's financial supporters, informing them that the foundation

is no longer responsible for Khao Phaeng Ma, " Apinya said.

Hannarong told the Bangkok Nation that while Pisit claimed

WFT had run out of cash, it had about $125,000 each in donated cash,

bonds, and an unused building fund, about $19,000 in money

allocated toward unpaid salaries, and a headquarters worth about

$475,000.

" Should the foundation be dissolved, these assets must be

returned to the Siam Society or the family of Dr. Boonsong Lekagul, "

said Hannarong.

Boonsang (1907-1992) started WFT in 1983 under the patronage

of Queen Sirikit, 21 years after founding the Bangkok Bird Club.

The Bird Club was reputedly the first indigenous Thai conservation

society in modern times. The organization was long associated with

the World Wildlife Fund, which is now represented in Thailand by the

WWF Thailand Country Programme.

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

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