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Home: General: Chit Chat: Re: [melmel] DBKL DOG POUND CRUELTY: Edit Log



melmel
K9 Maniac

Jun 1, 2010, 7:54 PM


Views: 57189
Re: [melmel] DBKL DOG POUND CRUELTY

A'Famosa under investigation for tiger abuse
Malay Mail May 2010

ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE: Tiger abuse at A' Famosa in Malacca has sparked calls for animal rights

PETALING JAYA: The A' Famosa Resort in Malacca could lose its licence to keep captive wildlife on its premises following allegations of its tiger being abused earlier this year.

A full-blown investigation into the incident, triggered by the amateur video posted on YouTube has now been undertaken by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

Perhilitan deputy director-general Misliah Mohamad Basir told The Malay Mail: "Our department was alerted about this in February 2010 during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

"The park had a tiger placed at their entrance for tourists and visitors to have photos taken with the animal." It is learnt that Perhilitan had at that time only seen snapshots of the incidents.

Nevertheless, in March, Perhilitan called in all zoo operators nationwide, including A' Famosa ¡ª to brief these establishments about the complaints received from the public and to impose a ban on all animal shows, especially those involving endangered and protected animal species.

During that meeting, Perhilitan also urged all operators to upgrade animal cages. "All 30 operators, except one, attended that meeting," said Misliah.

"A' Famosa Resort, however, claimed they did not get an invitation from us. Since the resort claimed they did not get the notice, we called them in again two weeks later to brief them. During that meeting, we discussed issues, which were specifically raised by the public about A' Famosa."

When asked about guidelines and regulations relevant to management of the zoo, Misliah said: "Taking into account that zoo management is not contained in the current Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Perhilitan only had the authority to grant them a license to keep the animal.

"Although there are regulations governing animal cruelty, park operators are not required to have a veterinarian on call, unlike the new Act, to be tabled next month. "We have amended the Act to address these issues and the new regulations will cover all requirements, including qualifications to handle wildlife.

"In the meantime, we will further investigate these allegations and act according to laws governing the protection of animals," she said. Misliah strongly urged the public to play an important role in this issue. "They can bring similar cases forward to highlight this matter. We have a 24-hour hotline." When asked whether Perhilitan had the authority to close down the park, Misliah said only the local council and State government have the authority to do that.

Malaccan tiger trainer fired

MALACCA: A' Famosa Resort general manager Allan Chee has denied allegations of its captive tiger being abused and further confirmed the assistant trainer, who abused the tiger, as seen on YouTube, had his employment terminated due to unsatisfactory overall performance.

Explaining the incident, he told The Malay Mail: " Tigers are nocturnal creatures and those here are very well fed. As such, they become very lazy and lethargic during mid-morning. So, naturally zoo handlers have to use extra coaxing to move the heavy tiger into position."

In response to allegations the tiger was drugged, Allan said: "There is no evidence the tiger was drugged or abused by its handler." Explaining the animal was a captive-bred tiger and considered very tame and comfortable around humans, he posed: "How can we abuse the animal? It costs around RM30,000 to RM40,000 per tiger. Of course we wouldn't hurt it, let alone drug the animal."

When asked if the resort was willing to let the captive tiger undergo a drug test, Allan responded: "Whoever wants to do so must get permission from us. They can't simply come over to do tests on these animals."


Zoo Negara clarification

PETALING JAYA: It was reported in The Malay Mail on Tuesday that "An enactment regarding the privatisation of Zoo Negara is currently being tabled in the Parliament."

That statement should have read "A bill regarding the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 is currently being tabled in Parliament."

In a Press statement to The Malay Mail yesterday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said it initiated a study with regard to the management of Zoo Negara and options were being recommended to the cabinet for a decision.

The ministry is preparing the report, which will be sent to the cabinet. Zoo Negara has been managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, a non-governmental organisation which is registered under the Registrar of Societies.

As such, the role of government is through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, whereby it is responsible for regulating the existing Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The ministry had spearheaded efforts to arrest allegations of mismanagement at Zoo Negara, which was highlighted by The Malay Mail last year. The ministry also formed a committee headed by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, following a site inspection of the zoo late last year.


(This post was edited by melmel on Jun 1, 2010, 7:55 PM)


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