Guest guest Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 _____ Anbu [Acres] [anbu] Monday, November 26, 2007 10:56 AM Anbu [Acres] ACRES: Animal-friendly Travel ANIMAL-FRIENDLY TRAVEL The Star, 17 Nov 2007 If you plan to bring your children to visit the animals in captivity this school holiday, there are couple of things you may want to teach them first that would make a difference to how animals are treated. By LEONG SIOK HUI You're on holiday and taking your kids to local animal parks or the zoo. By patronising these attractions, are you contributing to the animals' suffering? Or can you do something to make a difference? More often than not, animals kept in captivity live in less than ideal conditions. The concept of a zoo itself is not natural. Wildlife should be free to roam, hunt and forage in the wild. But that's a debate left for another day. Of course, if you have a choice, visit sanctuaries or nature reserves where you can observe animals in their natural habitat. With the help of Amy Corrigan, the director of Research and Education at Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), a Singapore-based non-profit organisation, we've compiled a list of tips on how you can be an animal-friendly tourist. Things to look out for... 1. Animals suffering from stress Captive animals that are stressed often display abnormal behaviour like pacing (or swimming) the same route repeatedly, swaying from side to side, bobbing the head up and down, licking or biting cage bars, or showing unnatural aggression towards other animals in the same enclosure. " Such behaviour indicates the animals are experiencing poor welfare - lack of space, stimulation, food, social and sexual partners and the ability to perform certain behaviour, " says Corrigan who cites studies done on captive animals. Lethargic animals are another sign of chronic stress. 2. Too-small enclosures Carnivores, naturally wide-ranging species, show the most stress and/or psychological dysfunction in captivity, based on a 2003 Oxford University report. Species like polar bears, elephants, whales and dolphins are known to suffer particularly from the constraints of captivity. They will display abnormal behaviour as listed above. Things to avoid... 1. Animal shows In the wild, cockatoos don't cycle, bears don't dance and Orang Utan certainly don't play golf. We get entertained at the expense of the animals. They're made to perform unnatural tricks, sometimes out of fear. Training stints may include beatings, food deprivation and drugging, and dreadful living conditions. In China's wildlife parks, live rabbits, ducks and calves are thrown to hungry predators like tigers (as reported by Acres). 2. Animal photography Everybody wants a souvenir from the zoo - a photo taken with the cuddly Orang Utan. But these 'models' may have their teeth and claws yanked out to minimise the risk for us, humans, when we get close to them for the photo shoot. By nature, wild animals usually avoid people. It's stressful for the animals to have to interact with people constantly. When 'off-duty,' they are confined in tiny, barren cages or chained up and usually suffer from neglect. Some animals are drugged to keep them docile. Animals like baby gibbons that are passed around in bars and restaurants in touristy areas may be fed with amphetamines to keep them awake. 3. Animal rides Elephants, ponies and camels are forced to take tourists for rides in scorching temperatures. Often the animals are badly treated or beaten into submission, are malnourished, old or even pregnant. 4. Cockfights Specially bred for aggressiveness, the roosters slash and gouge each other with claws and powerful beaks. The fight ends when one of the roosters turns blind, is severely injured or dead. Don't buy... Souvenirs made from animal skin, ivory, shells or fur. The highly prized shatoosh shawl, sold under the counter in India, is made from the fine wool of Tibetan antelopes (chiru). Three chiru are being killed to make one shatoosh shawl measuring one by two metres. Eating exotic meat encourages illegal poaching and pushes the species to extinction. Wild animals are usually captured and slaughtered brutally. Turtles have their meat scraped off while still alive and dogs are struck with blunt blows to the head, then butchered while still conscious. You can make a difference Do not patronise attractions that exploit or cause animals to suffer. If you suspect animal abuse: - Record evidence of abuse - take photographs or record on video and note the date, time and location - Express your concerns to the establishment (zoo, wildlife park, safari, etc) where the abuse takes place - Inform tour companies/travel agents of your concerns and urge them not to promote tours to these places - Write to the local media to raise awareness of the abuse - Report to the relevant local authorities. In Malaysia, you can call the Department of Veterinary Services (there are offices in all states) The Department will look into complaints within 48 hours. Offenders can be prosecuted under Malaysia's Animals Ordinance 1953. Call (03) 8870 2000 or look up agrolink.moa. <http://agrolink.moa.my/jph> my/jph for the state offices. About ACRES Founded in 2001, the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) aims to improve the living condition and welfare of animals in captivity. The NGO conducts research, zoo checks and roadshows to raise awareness on animal welfare issues. For more info, click on www.acres.org. <http://www.acres.org.sg/index.html> sg/index.html <http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/11/17/lifetravel/19384 904 & sec=lifetravel> http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/11/17/lifetravel/193849 04 & sec=lifetravel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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