Disney and orangutans

[Guest guest]

Message forwarded on request.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Jane T. R. Dewar <jdewar

Oct 18, 2008 5:20 PM

Disney and orangutans

,

alloprimate , Primate-Net A5 <primate-net >,

primfocus A4 <primfocus

 

Forwarded by request ... FYI. Jane Dewar

 

- ** lin yu zhi <wldlife01

*To:* ; jdewar

*Sent:* Friday, October 17, 2008 4:37 AM

*Subject:* attn: primate members

 

 

**

*Hello and greetings Jane! Wish everything is fine on your side.*

**

*Here is something for your infor.*

**

**

** Sarah

Green<http://us.mc421.mail./mc/compose?to=orangutanappealuk (AT) btinternet (DOT) \

com>

 

*Cc:* Sue

Sheward<http://us.mc421.mail./mc/compose?to=suesheward (AT) btinternet (DOT) com>

*Sent:* Monday, October 13, 2008 9:16 AM

*Subject:* Urgent help needed

 

 

Dear Helen,

 

I am writing to you on behalf of the Sabah Wildlife Department, who

manage the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah. They have been

approached by Disney Nature (a new label for the Walt Disney Studios) who

are requesting to make a film at Sepilok using some of their orphaned

orangutans.

 

Disney are expecting the orangutans to follow their predetermined story line

and in doing so this is likely to involve the training of the individuals in

question. The Sabah Wildlife Department do not feel happy to agree to this

request, but are seeking the advice of other NGO's and organsiations

involved in the conservation and welfare of primates.

 

The Orangutan Appeal UK has been consulted on this issue and have been asked

to make contact with many of the well recognised organisations who could

also make comment on. We therefore would like to ask you to please spare a

few minutes of your time to look over the attached brief summary for the

film - One Minute to Midnight.

 

I am afraid this is a matter of great urgency and we would really

appreciate you sending any comments, views or suggestions to our chairperson

Sue Sheward by midday Tuesday 14th. Sue is in direct contact with the Sabah

Wildlife Department and will pass on all the replies she receives.

 

Sue's email address is:

suesheward<http://us.mc421.mail./mc/compose?to=sueshewar\

d (AT) btinternet (DOT) com>

 

Your help and advice with this is greatly appreciated.

 

Kind regards

 

Sarah Green

 

PA to Sue Sheward

*Orangutan Appeal UK*

*Tel: 01590 622966*

**

* --------

*

 

Helen Thirlway <helen

Re: Urgent help needed

" Sue Sheward " <suesheward

Cc: " Sarah Green " <orangutanappealuk, alammsia

Monday, October 13, 2008, 1:53 AM

 

 

 Dear Sue,

 

I am in the midst of a big campaigning effort at the moment so will have to

just comment very briefly.

 

I agree with the Sabah Wildlife Department that any filming involving the

training of these orphaned orangutans for what is effectively entertainment,

no matter how educational the content, is inappropriate. When so many

organisations are working tirelessly to stop the use of apes

in entertainment, this project seems rather misguided. Although we applaud

the wish to bring the plight of these beautiful creatures to a new

generation, and we hope that a film will still be produced, we cannot

support any filming that necessitates the training of these primates.

 

If you want to put together any kind of sign-on statement for other groups

to give their support, then I will be more than happy to sign. If there is

anything else we can do to help, just let me know.

 

I'm also copying Lim Phaik Kee from Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the

Earth Malaysia).

 

Best regards,

 

Helen Thirlway

IPPL (UK)

Protecting and conserving all primates since 1973

 

24 Waterside Court, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2PQ

T: +44 (0)1420 86622

M: +44 (0)7790 018459

Email:

helen<http://us.mc421.mail./mc/compose?to=helen (AT) ippl-uk (DOT) org\

>

Website: www.ippl-uk.org

Registered Charity No. 272723

 

--------

 

 

From SAM:

 

Dear Sue Sheward,

 

We would like to express our concerns regarding this matter on training of

orangutans for Disney Nature.

 

Friends of the Earth Malaysia (FOEM) otherwise known as Sahabat Alam

Malaysia (SAM) applauds the Sabah Wildlife Department for seeking the advice

of NGOs before coming to a decision, with regards to the use of orphaned

orangutans for the show by Disney Nature.

 

SAM has always been adamant in our stand against the exploitation of

wildlife for entertainment or educational purposes in zoos and theme

parks. Training them for the film industry raises serious concerns

as training methods are often cruel, subjecting the animals to various forms

of torment mentally and physically.

 

Orang utans have better nobler things than to indulge in performances for

the entertainment of the masses. These acts are not entertaining nor

educational and are only a spectacle that devalues both these animals and

the mindless viewers who fail to recognise or see the depravation in these

animals when they see it. It only continues because of human indifference

and ignorance.

 

We reiterate our stand against any filming that necesitates the training of

orang utans or any wildlife.

 

Disney Nature should instead focus on the plight of the orangutans which

lost their home as a result of the logging industries, opening of land for

the palm oil industry and how they are exploited for entertainment and

profit making by resorts and theme parks. It should not make a monkey out

of our endangered orangutans.

 

 

Mr. S M Mohd Idris

President

Friends of the Earth Malaysia (FOEM)/Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)

21 Lintang Delima 15

11700 Penang, Malaysia