NP - Animal campaigners call for monkey rehabilitation

[Guest guest]

*Animal campaigners call for monkey rehabilitation*

 

*Kathmandu**, August 28, 2009* – Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN) calls

for the professional rehabilitation of over 300 monkeys kept at a Lele

breeding center. Forest Minister Dipak Bohara wants to put a definite halt

to the breeding of monkeys for biomedical research in the USA and calls for

the release of the captive monkeys. The network also request the government

to pass an Animal Welfare Act, include a clause on animal welfare in the new

constitution and halt commercial wildlife breeding.

 

The campaigners welcome the government’s decision to halt the breeding of

rhesus monkeys. In February a parliament committee ordered the Ministry to

stop the process of export of rhesus monkeys for biomedical research. In

January a group of concerned citizens filed a Public Litigation Interest

case at the Supreme Court.

 

" The government is responsible for taking the monkeys out of their cages and

rehabilitate them in a professional manner, " says spokesperson Manoj Gautam.

“Those born in the center need to be taught how to survive in the wild.

Those caught from the wild need to be released gradually as they have spend

many years in captivity.”

 

The government in the past captured monkeys from the wild and sold them to

the Lele-based National Biomedical Research Center. Around 20% of Nepal’s

lab monkeys are euthanized or die a natural death. According to a 1992 UK

research 75% of lab monkeys are killed in research centers across the world,

the vast majority of them suffering from common health problems such as flu

or common cold.

 

The network is concerned about a possible 'upgrading' of the much criticized

Wildlife Breeding Act 2003, which would reintroduce monkey business through

a back door.

 

The network reminds the Minister that Nepal has no animal welfare

legislation and that there are no legal tools to monitor and prosecute

animal abusers. Breeding further opens the door for biomedical research

within Nepal, which is completely unregulated. ‘Normally in countries that

allow biomedical research a broad debate takes place within society. If

society agrees very strict guidelines are formulated, with an Ethical

Committee in charge of issuing licenses, implementing rules and regulations

as well as strict monitoring.’

 

The network wants the authorities to take strict action against those

breeders who import and breed exotic species, including birds, monkeys,

snakes, tortoises etc. and immediately rectify the lacunae in the

legislation that allows such wildlife species exemption from seizure.

 

As an alternative the network says the government should introduce humane,

responsible wildlife-related income generation ventures for impoverished

communities.

 

*The Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN) was established in 2008 to

strengthen the work of animal welfare organizations in the country. Members

include Animal Nepal, Kathmandu Animal treatment Centre, Kirtipur Rescue,

Roots and Shoots Nepal, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Nepal and Streetdogs of Nepal.*

 

*For more information go to www.stopmonkeybusiness.org, email

awnnepal or call Manoj Gautam, Executive Committee member, at

9841-496822 .*

 

 

--

Lucia de Vries

Freelance Journalist

Nepal - Netherlands