Pata Zoo's Lone Captive Gorilla - Bwana

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

This message was sent to me by Ms Jane Dewar of Gorilla Haven

and I am posting it with her permission. She has given me a report on Pata

Zoo too as an attachment, if anyone is keen to see it, please write to me or

Jane.

Animal welfare organisations in India seem to have forgotten about Polo's

plight also in Mysore Zoo. Anti zoo campaigns that are based on witticisms

and philosophical pontifications are pretty much meaningless if they do not

help animals in the short term. The court case against Kolkata Zoo is an

example in point, it has been going on for the past ten years but nothing

major has been achieved and anyone who still thinks that Alipore Zoo can be

totally shifted is living in fantasy world. I personally have mellowed my

anti zoo stance because I now feel it is better to improve zoos(with some

notable exceptions where conditions are bad beyond redemption) than just

clamour for their closure because that is a utopian dream. The zoo concept

is flawed but the methods used to counter it are flawed too.

Best wishes,

 

 

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

Jane T. R. Dewar <jdewar

Oct 17, 2009 9:01 PM

Fw: Pata Zoo's Lone Captive Gorilla - Bwana

,

 

 

Hi All,

 

I received yet another email from someone trying to effect change at the

Pata Zoo in Thailand. I'm not sure who this person is or if she's already

emailed you, but I told her I'd try to see what I could do.

 

I know Pata Zoo doesn't fall under anyone's jurisdiction, but surely

something can be done about this place - not just for the poor single

gorilla there, but the scores of other primates?? I'm fairly sure it's the

female who's still alive, named Buoni, not Bwana ... but the report shows

photos of what could be each gender, which look like older photos taken when

they had a male and female there ...

 

At any rate, here's the report, for your consideration. Unlike the other

lone gorillas (Polo in Mysore, India and Idi in Belo Horizonte in Brasil),

this gorilla never knows sunshine or fresh air and reports I've received say

it's stifling, hot and rancid there most of the time .... Surely, the Year

of the Gorilla could make this a challenge too??

 

Thanks for your time.

 

Jane Dewar

Founder, Gorilla Haven

 

- ** Save Bwana <savebwana

*Sent:* Saturday, October 17, 2009 8:46 AM

*Subject:* Pata Zoo's Lone Captive Gorilla - Bwana

 

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I was recently forwarded an anonymous report regarding Pata Zoo in Bangkok

Thailand - A zoo located on the rooftop of a shopping mall. The zoo was

opened in 1984 and should have been closed years ago.

Amongst other great apes, the zoo houses a captive gorilla by the name of

Bwana. This gorilla has been in solitude for most of her life (nearly 23

years).

 

As the report shows, Bwana is housed in a large, dingy concrete enclosure.

Some time ago a baby gorilla was acquired by the zoo but died shortly after.

Bwana has been kept in total isolation for 23 years. Although she shows no

signs of physical mistreatment, she has been described by Thai Officials

from the National Park and Wildlife Association as suffering mentally due to

her environment and lack of companionship.

 

I write to you to ask for your advice and help. Would you consider launching

a campaign to free Bwana? or Would you assist in spreading awareness about

her situation?

I understand you are a not for profit organisation but as gorillas are one

of the world's most endangered animals, we need to help each and every one.

If Bwana was freed from her captors, she has a real chance of being

rehabilitated - to live out her years in a happier healthier environment.

 

Thank you very much for your time.

 

 

Michelle Ward

2009 - The Year of the Gorilla