Tuesday May 3, 2011
Animal rights activists rally for prompt action against cruelty
PETALING JAYA: Non-governmental organisations and animal rights activists have expressed outrage at the expose on zoos in the country and the treatment of the animals under their care.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president S.M. Mohd Idris said action should be taken against errant zookeepers.
“Their owners and operators should be prosecuted and charged in accordance with the revised Act,” he said.
He alleged that in 2009, there were reports of deaths of a few day-old tiger cubs in a zoo outside Johor Baru but the zoo was still allowed to keep and breed protected wildlife, though it had no legal permit, licence or documents.
“Until Perhilitan enforces the law and defends the rights of animals rather than protect zoo owners, nothing will change,” Mohd Idris said.
Acres (a Singapore-based animal rights NGO) executive director and founder Louis Ng said some of the zoos could do with improvements and should be a given a chance to do so.
He said Perhilitan should instruct zoos to focus on enhancing the welfare of their existing animals, instead of acquiring any new one.
“Zoos that consistently ignore the welfare of the animals should have their permits revoked,” said Ng.
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