Breaking news concerning the raid of Thai officials to confiscate Orangutans bro

[Guest guest]

Considering that animal-trafficking and the illegal trade in wild animals

is the third largest " industry " in the world after arms and drugs,

and considering that there is so much corruption in the ranks of those

who are supposed to be protecting these animals, starting with the

lowest forest officials right upto and including the highest politicians

of the land, is it any wonder that animal protectors are being targetted

so that the illegal trade can continue?

 

S. Chinny Krishna

 

 

aapn [aapn ]On Behalf Of

antoniuni1

Friday, July 11, 2008 6:44 PM

aapn

Breaking news concerning the raid of Thai officials to

confiscate Orangutans bro

 

 

Yesterday Edwin Wiek, the director of the Center, was confined to 8

months jail on probation and Baht 20.000 (around 400 Euro) for his

“crime†to give Orangutans provisional shelter waiting to be sent back

to Indonesia. He gave shelter because he was already long involved to

finalize the scandal of 54 Orangutans being smuggled from Indonesia

and being abused in Safari World in Bangkok.

 

More:

 

http://mistifarang.wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various

-animal-abuse/

 

Were it not better to concentrate much more at the ongoing poaching,

killing, animal-trafficking, transit and the illegal trade in

protected animals, more than trying a well-known animal-protector

behind bars??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is very unfortunate and

sad news.

 

I just hope he comes out fast

and continues the good work

for wildlife.

 

Having known Edwin's

contribution to the wildlife of

Asia and specially having

teamed up with him to stop

an illegal animal exchange of

Orangutans from Thailand to

India I personally feel that

Edwin is very passionate

about wildlife.

 

I wish him good luck and

strength on this crisis.

 

Azam

[Guest guest]

Hi Ton,

 

Thank you for your support in this matter. Just for the record; I was again

convicted in my appeal to 8 months suspended jail and a fine of 20,000 Baht

(app.. US700.-) for the illegal possession of wildlife. The wildlife in question

here were actually 10 monkeys (long tailed macaques) rescued from a temple with

police and forestry people present on the day of rescue and two bears from a

small zoo on Koh Samui Island. The problem with the monkeys was that some small

details in the paperwork were not correct. The two bears were taken from the zoo

as they were both very sick and after treatment were not returned to the zoo,

the zoo did not wish them back there. All other wildlife in the earlier verdict

were cleared b the court as " legally obtained " .

 

We still believe that this " raid " was payback for a case we campaigned for of

orang-utan smuggling by a very powerful zoo and entertainment park owner in

Bangkok, a personal friend of the then prime-minister of Thailand. He had 115

orang-utans confiscated from his park and after years of fighting for the case

we were able to repatriate 53 of these 115 orang-utans back to Borneo, the rest

died mysteriously during the period of 4 years...

 

What is significant about this case is that the penalty I received is higher

than some other cases;

An Indian shatoosh trader was convicted last year with only a fine of 10,000

Baht.

Safariworld had to return the illegal orang-utans but never went to court, and

was never fined or got any punishment at all.

A man selling gibbons, bears and tigers over the internet got a 10,000 Baht fine

and got 3 months suspended jail a few months ago.

Traders at Bangkok's JJ or Chatuchak market continue selling wildlife openly and

get every now and then fined, but never do any time at all.

 

Dr Chinny Krishna got it right there, attacking people like us will be the way

to protect the real bad guys, the bread and butter of corrupt scum. I am happy

to see that over the last few months our relationship with the government is

getting better with joint projects and better cooperation. It is a pity that

some rotten apples in the government can not be removed to clear their overall

image. I know there also some good people in there, problem is that it is like

fruit, the biggest (read highest level) ones are the most likely the most

rotten.

 

Up to the supreme court now...

 

Edwin Wiek

WFFT

 

 

_____

 

aapn [aapn ] On Behalf Of antoniuni1

Friday, 11 July, 2008 8:14 PM

aapn

Breaking news concerning the raid of Thai officials to

confiscate Orangutans bro

 

 

 

Yesterday Edwin Wiek, the director of the Center, was confined to 8

months jail on probation and Baht 20.000 (around 400 Euro) for his

“crime†to give Orangutans provisional shelter waiting to be sent

back

to Indonesia. He gave shelter because he was already long involved to

finalize the scandal of 54 Orangutans being smuggled from Indonesia

and being abused in Safari World in Bangkok.

 

More:

 

http://mistifarang.

<http://mistifarang.wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-anim\

al-abuse/> wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-animal-abuse/

 

Were it not better to concentrate much more at the ongoing poaching,

killing, animal-trafficking, transit and the illegal trade in

protected animals, more than trying a well-known animal-protector

behind bars??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Edwin,

 

We all support you in ur efforts!

Please tell me what we can do to help you? A Campaign? A Letter writing? An

protest E-mail?

 

Regards,

 

Nilesh Bhanage

“The hands that help are holier than the lips that prayâ€.

 

 

Edwin Wiek [edwin.wiek]

Friday, July 11, 2008 9:15 PM

'antoniuni1'

Cc: aapn

RE: Breaking news concerning the raid of Thai officials to

confiscate Orangutans bro

 

Hi Ton,

 

Thank you for your support in this matter. Just for the record; I was again

convicted in my appeal to 8 months suspended jail and a fine of 20,000 Baht

(app.. US700.-) for the illegal possession of wildlife. The wildlife in question

here were actually 10 monkeys (long tailed macaques) rescued from a temple with

police and forestry people present on the day of rescue and two bears from a

small zoo on Koh Samui Island. The problem with the monkeys was that some small

details in the paperwork were not correct. The two bears were taken from the zoo

as they were both very sick and after treatment were not returned to the zoo,

the zoo did not wish them back there. All other wildlife in the earlier verdict

were cleared b the court as " legally obtained " .

 

We still believe that this " raid " was payback for a case we campaigned for of

orang-utan smuggling by a very powerful zoo and entertainment park owner in

Bangkok, a personal friend of the then prime-minister of Thailand. He had 115

orang-utans confiscated from his park and after years of fighting for the case

we were able to repatriate 53 of these 115 orang-utans back to Borneo, the rest

died mysteriously during the period of 4 years...

 

What is significant about this case is that the penalty I received is higher

than some other cases;

An Indian shatoosh trader was convicted last year with only a fine of 10,000

Baht.

Safariworld had to return the illegal orang-utans but never went to court, and

was never fined or got any punishment at all.

A man selling gibbons, bears and tigers over the internet got a 10,000 Baht fine

and got 3 months suspended jail a few months ago.

Traders at Bangkok's JJ or Chatuchak market continue selling wildlife openly and

get every now and then fined, but never do any time at all.

 

Dr Chinny Krishna got it right there, attacking people like us will be the way

to protect the real bad guys, the bread and butter of corrupt scum. I am happy

to see that over the last few months our relationship with the government is

getting better with joint projects and better cooperation. It is a pity that

some rotten apples in the government can not be removed to clear their overall

image. I know there also some good people in there, problem is that it is like

fruit, the biggest (read highest level) ones are the most likely the most

rotten.

 

Up to the supreme court now...

 

Edwin Wiek

WFFT

 

 

_____

 

aapn <aapn%40>

[aapn <aapn%40> ] On Behalf Of

antoniuni1

Friday, 11 July, 2008 8:14 PM

aapn <aapn%40>

Breaking news concerning the raid of Thai officials to

confiscate Orangutans bro

 

Yesterday Edwin Wiek, the director of the Center, was confined to 8

months jail on probation and Baht 20.000 (around 400 Euro) for his

“crime†to give Orangutans provisional shelter waiting to be sent

back

to Indonesia. He gave shelter because he was already long involved to

finalize the scandal of 54 Orangutans being smuggled from Indonesia

and being abused in Safari World in Bangkok.

 

More:

 

http://mistifarang.

<http://mistifarang.wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-anim\

al-abuse/

<http://mistifarang.wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-anim\

al-abuse/> >

wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-animal-abuse/

 

Were it not better to concentrate much more at the ongoing poaching,

killing, animal-trafficking, transit and the illegal trade in

protected animals, more than trying a well-known animal-protector

behind bars??

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is very unfortunate Edwin and whats sadder is to see that this is the

trend all around the world. There is always a lobby trying to malign you no

matter what you do in this field. Be it a clash of egos, personnel vendetta,

trying to outwit the other, jealousy....there is always some1/ group of

people trying to pull you down.

 

As Nilesh said, if there is something at all that we could do, feel free to

let us know!

 

Regards, Pablo.

 

 

On 7/11/08, Edwin Wiek <edwin.wiek wrote:

>

> Hi Ton,

>

> Thank you for your support in this matter. Just for the record; I was again

> convicted in my appeal to 8 months suspended jail and a fine of 20,000 Baht

> (app.. US700.-) for the illegal possession of wildlife. The wildlife in

> question here were actually 10 monkeys (long tailed macaques) rescued from a

> temple with police and forestry people present on the day of rescue and two

> bears from a small zoo on Koh Samui Island. The problem with the monkeys was

> that some small details in the paperwork were not correct. The two bears

> were taken from the zoo as they were both very sick and after treatment were

> not returned to the zoo, the zoo did not wish them back there. All other

> wildlife in the earlier verdict were cleared b the court as " legally

> obtained " .

>

> We still believe that this " raid " was payback for a case we campaigned for

> of orang-utan smuggling by a very powerful zoo and entertainment park owner

> in Bangkok, a personal friend of the then prime-minister of Thailand. He had

> 115 orang-utans confiscated from his park and after years of fighting for

> the case we were able to repatriate 53 of these 115 orang-utans back to

> Borneo, the rest died mysteriously during the period of 4 years...

>

> What is significant about this case is that the penalty I received is

> higher than some other cases;

> An Indian shatoosh trader was convicted last year with only a fine of

> 10,000 Baht.

> Safariworld had to return the illegal orang-utans but never went to court,

> and was never fined or got any punishment at all.

> A man selling gibbons, bears and tigers over the internet got a 10,000 Baht

> fine and got 3 months suspended jail a few months ago.

> Traders at Bangkok's JJ or Chatuchak market continue selling wildlife

> openly and get every now and then fined, but never do any time at all.

>

> Dr Chinny Krishna got it right there, attacking people like us will be the

> way to protect the real bad guys, the bread and butter of corrupt scum. I am

> happy to see that over the last few months our relationship with the

> government is getting better with joint projects and better cooperation. It

> is a pity that some rotten apples in the government can not be removed to

> clear their overall image. I know there also some good people in there,

> problem is that it is like fruit, the biggest (read highest level) ones are

> the most likely the most rotten.

>

> Up to the supreme court now...

>

> Edwin Wiek

> WFFT

>

>

> _____

>

> aapn <aapn%40> [

> aapn <aapn%40>] On Behalf Of antoniuni1

> Friday, 11 July, 2008 8:14 PM

> aapn <aapn%40>

> Breaking news concerning the raid of Thai officials to

> confiscate Orangutans bro

>

> Yesterday Edwin Wiek, the director of the Center, was confined to 8

> months jail on probation and Baht 20.000 (around 400 Euro) for his

> “crime†to give Orangutans provisional shelter waiting to be sent back

> to Indonesia. He gave shelter because he was already long involved to

> finalize the scandal of 54 Orangutans being smuggled from Indonesia

> and being abused in Safari World in Bangkok.

>

> More:

>

> http://mistifarang. <

>

http://mistifarang.wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-anima\

l-abuse/>

> wordpress.com/category/animal-abuse-in-thailand/various-animal-abuse/

>

> Were it not better to concentrate much more at the ongoing poaching,

> killing, animal-trafficking, transit and the illegal trade in

> protected animals, more than trying a well-known animal-protector

> behind bars??

>

>