Zoos are known to have supplied animals for use in experiments.
Zoos are known to have supplied animals to the exotic meat industry.
Animals from UK zoos have ended up in circuses.
Zoos have sent animals to appalling conditions.
Animals can die prematurely in zoos.
Surplus animals are destroyed or sold.
Zoo animals may carry disease.
Animals are still taken from the wild.
There is a lack of genetic diversity in captive bred animals.
Most zoos collect 'crowd pullers'.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Zoos Kill Healthy Tigers For Their Skins
Sad but true...
...An undercover investigation by the Sunday Times newspaper has revealed that European zoos are killing healthy tigers in order to sell their bodies to taxidermists who sell the stuffed animals on to wealthy collectors.
During the investigation, to which CAPS supplied advice, a British taxidermist told undercover reporters: “for a price I can pretty much get any specimen you want”. He added: “everything I acquire comes from zoos and safari parks”.
The reporters were offered the skins of two tigers from zoos for £6,000 and a cheetah skin for £3,400.
The taxidermists told how zoos kill animals before they get old, to avoid paying veterinary fees. Andre Brandwood, a taxidermist from Herefordshire claimed zoos placed a “shelf-life” on animals, to cash in on them before they grow old.
Brandwood put the reporters in touch with a taxidermist in Belgium, Jean-Pierre Gerard. Gerard’s network of contacts with zoos across Europe ensures he has a “stranglehold on the market for tigers because so many zoos deal with him” and has, according to the report, fixed the price of tiger skins at £3,000, of which the zoo gets half. Some animals also came from circuses.
According to Gerard, zoos contact him when they kill an animal through injury, ill health or because they have a ‘surplus’ of animals. He even showed the reporters the frozen bodies of two newborn lion cubs.
Although the trade in wild tiger skins is illegal in Europe, trade in captive-bred tigers is allowed if an Article 10 certificate is given by the country’s wildlife department. While the UK’s Department of Environment (DEFRA) rarely issues such certificates, if the authority of another EU country provides a certificate to a dealer in that country the item can then be imported into the UK. So, under this loophole tiger skins from Gerard’s taxidermy company in Belgium can be imported to the UK.
The tiger skins offered to the undercover reporters were from animals just 18 months and five years old who died this year. Although the Belgian certificates to trade in the animals had Gerard’s name on them, the Sunday Times alleges that they had been tampered with and the original certificates were in the name of the Belgian zoos that had supplied the animals. When approached by the newspaper, the Monde Sauvage safari park, which supplied the tigers to Gerard, initially claimed both animals had died of “old age” but then claimed one had died in a fight (despite no damage to the skin) and the other from natural causes. The female cheetah had been supplied by Olmense zoo.
The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the zoo industry trade body, actually supports this trade. Its executive director Harry Schram told the Sunday Times that EAZA zoos were being actively encouraged to kill unwanted animals, including tigers, if other zoos did not want them and if they were hybrids (i.e. not pure breeds. Schram said that such animals take up space, food and keeper time and euthanasia of the animals was preferable to keeping them alive.
...An undercover investigation by the Sunday Times newspaper has revealed that European zoos are killing healthy tigers in order to sell their bodies to taxidermists who sell the stuffed animals on to wealthy collectors.
During the investigation, to which CAPS supplied advice, a British taxidermist told undercover reporters: “for a price I can pretty much get any specimen you want”. He added: “everything I acquire comes from zoos and safari parks”.
The reporters were offered the skins of two tigers from zoos for £6,000 and a cheetah skin for £3,400.
The taxidermists told how zoos kill animals before they get old, to avoid paying veterinary fees. Andre Brandwood, a taxidermist from Herefordshire claimed zoos placed a “shelf-life” on animals, to cash in on them before they grow old.
Brandwood put the reporters in touch with a taxidermist in Belgium, Jean-Pierre Gerard. Gerard’s network of contacts with zoos across Europe ensures he has a “stranglehold on the market for tigers because so many zoos deal with him” and has, according to the report, fixed the price of tiger skins at £3,000, of which the zoo gets half. Some animals also came from circuses.
According to Gerard, zoos contact him when they kill an animal through injury, ill health or because they have a ‘surplus’ of animals. He even showed the reporters the frozen bodies of two newborn lion cubs.
Although the trade in wild tiger skins is illegal in Europe, trade in captive-bred tigers is allowed if an Article 10 certificate is given by the country’s wildlife department. While the UK’s Department of Environment (DEFRA) rarely issues such certificates, if the authority of another EU country provides a certificate to a dealer in that country the item can then be imported into the UK. So, under this loophole tiger skins from Gerard’s taxidermy company in Belgium can be imported to the UK.
The tiger skins offered to the undercover reporters were from animals just 18 months and five years old who died this year. Although the Belgian certificates to trade in the animals had Gerard’s name on them, the Sunday Times alleges that they had been tampered with and the original certificates were in the name of the Belgian zoos that had supplied the animals. When approached by the newspaper, the Monde Sauvage safari park, which supplied the tigers to Gerard, initially claimed both animals had died of “old age” but then claimed one had died in a fight (despite no damage to the skin) and the other from natural causes. The female cheetah had been supplied by Olmense zoo.
The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the zoo industry trade body, actually supports this trade. Its executive director Harry Schram told the Sunday Times that EAZA zoos were being actively encouraged to kill unwanted animals, including tigers, if other zoos did not want them and if they were hybrids (i.e. not pure breeds. Schram said that such animals take up space, food and keeper time and euthanasia of the animals was preferable to keeping them alive.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Zoo animals born to be wild
As part of conservation efforts, animals born and bredin the zoo are released into native habitats to boostfalling numbers otters and mousedeer born and bred in the zoo have been released into their native habitats, as part of conservation efforts to boost their dwindling numbers in the wild.
Other species that land up in the zoo's care have also been given a new chance at freedom in forests here, after getting a clean bill of health. Singapore Zoological Gardens assistant director Subash Chandran said that over the last two years, it has taken in 38 civet cats, 14 pangolins and seven slow lorises.
These were abandoned by people who kept them illegally as pets, confiscated by the authorities, or caught after makinga nuisance of themselves in homes. 'We gave them full examinations, dewormed them and made sure they were parasite free before release,' he said.
Tiny microchips - like identity cards - were also embedded under their skin,so that they will be recognised if caught again. The eight greater mousedeer and five Oriental small-clawed otters, however, were born in captivity and had to be trained to fend for themselves in the wild.
The otters, for example, were first penned up in Sungei Buloh for about two months before they were released there in 2000.
They were gradually weaned off their diet of processed fish and meat and allowed to hunt for live fish and crustaceans instead. 'Otters are opportunistic feeders. They surprised us by quickly devouring all the mangrove snails in their pond,' said Mr Chandran. Upon release, all trace of the otters vanished quickly. 'But we're not worried, we suspect they swam across the Johor Straits, where the food source is very rich. 'Hopefully, they will breed with otters there and some will come back,' he said.
As for the mousedeer, which were released into nature reserves in a pilot programme in 1999, it is too early to tell if the scheme has been a success, said the National Parks Board (NParks). Said an NParks spokesman: 'Animal re-introduction requires careful investigation and study and should not be rushed.'So, there will be no immediate plans to breed other animals for release, she said.
Ideally, added Mr Chandran, the animals could be fitted with tracking devices, so that researchers can keep a close watch on them and establish their feeding and travelling patterns. Other native animals here are so versatile that they have managed to adapt and survive despite encroachment by the urban jungle, without human help. The Malayan flying lemur is one of them. Said Mr N. Sivasothi, a research officer at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research: 'It's not very fussy about leaves, it just needs a few tree holes to hide in and can live in secondary forests. So, it's quite commonhere.
'Even the casualties of urbanisation - road kills of wild animals - have a part to play in conservation. Mr Sivasothi, who is part of a group jokingly called the 'Body Snatchers', picks up such dead carcasses. 'Each body is an important record of what species still exist here, as we sometimes get creatures which we thought had already died out,' he said. The DNA of these animals can also be useful in conservation programmes. If a Singapore species has already died out, he explained, its DNA can becompared to the same species elsewhere, so that the most genetically-similar animal can be considered for re-introduction.
Other species that land up in the zoo's care have also been given a new chance at freedom in forests here, after getting a clean bill of health. Singapore Zoological Gardens assistant director Subash Chandran said that over the last two years, it has taken in 38 civet cats, 14 pangolins and seven slow lorises.
These were abandoned by people who kept them illegally as pets, confiscated by the authorities, or caught after makinga nuisance of themselves in homes. 'We gave them full examinations, dewormed them and made sure they were parasite free before release,' he said.
Tiny microchips - like identity cards - were also embedded under their skin,so that they will be recognised if caught again. The eight greater mousedeer and five Oriental small-clawed otters, however, were born in captivity and had to be trained to fend for themselves in the wild.
The otters, for example, were first penned up in Sungei Buloh for about two months before they were released there in 2000.
They were gradually weaned off their diet of processed fish and meat and allowed to hunt for live fish and crustaceans instead. 'Otters are opportunistic feeders. They surprised us by quickly devouring all the mangrove snails in their pond,' said Mr Chandran. Upon release, all trace of the otters vanished quickly. 'But we're not worried, we suspect they swam across the Johor Straits, where the food source is very rich. 'Hopefully, they will breed with otters there and some will come back,' he said.
As for the mousedeer, which were released into nature reserves in a pilot programme in 1999, it is too early to tell if the scheme has been a success, said the National Parks Board (NParks). Said an NParks spokesman: 'Animal re-introduction requires careful investigation and study and should not be rushed.'So, there will be no immediate plans to breed other animals for release, she said.
Ideally, added Mr Chandran, the animals could be fitted with tracking devices, so that researchers can keep a close watch on them and establish their feeding and travelling patterns. Other native animals here are so versatile that they have managed to adapt and survive despite encroachment by the urban jungle, without human help. The Malayan flying lemur is one of them. Said Mr N. Sivasothi, a research officer at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research: 'It's not very fussy about leaves, it just needs a few tree holes to hide in and can live in secondary forests. So, it's quite commonhere.
'Even the casualties of urbanisation - road kills of wild animals - have a part to play in conservation. Mr Sivasothi, who is part of a group jokingly called the 'Body Snatchers', picks up such dead carcasses. 'Each body is an important record of what species still exist here, as we sometimes get creatures which we thought had already died out,' he said. The DNA of these animals can also be useful in conservation programmes. If a Singapore species has already died out, he explained, its DNA can becompared to the same species elsewhere, so that the most genetically-similar animal can be considered for re-introduction.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Updates on Tiger Attack
As more details emerged about the chaos during a tiger's attack of three young men at the San Francisco Zoo, family and friends mourned the teenager who was killed.
About 100 people gathered Saturday outside the San Jose home of Carlos Sousa Jr.'s grandmother for a vigil. Many held candles in cups and were silent as Sousa's father stood on the doorstep in front of two enlarged photos of he and his son.
"I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for coming here and honoring my son Carlos. My son Carlos was a very good boy" said Carlos Sousa Sr., choking back tears. "I can see that he had a lot of friends here. I want you all to remember the good things that he did and carry this with you in your hearts for as long as you can."
A 350-pound Siberian tiger killed Sousa Jr. and seriously hurt two of his friends after escaping from its enclosure. Paul Dhaliwal, 19, and Kulbir Dhaliwal, 23, were released from the hospital Saturday. The brothers suffered severe bite and claw wounds.
Police said Sousa Jr.'s neck was slashed while the teen tried to scare away the tiger after it attacked Kulbir Dhaliwal. Sousa, 17, died at the scene just before the zoo's closing time on Christmas Day.
Police radio transcripts revealed a chaotic scene at the San Francisco Zoo as zookeepers scrambled to locate and sedate the animal, and medics refused to enter until they knew they would be safe.
Zoo employees also initially questioned whether early reports of the attack were coming from a mentally unstable person, according to an 18-page log of communications from police dispatchers to officers and emergency responders at the scene.
According to the logs, zoo personnel initially told police that two men reporting the escaped tiger might be mentally disturbed and "making something up," though one was bleeding from the back of the head.
Two minutes later, at 5:10 p.m., zoo employees reported that a tiger was loose and, at 5:13 p.m., the zoo was being evacuated and locked down as fire department responders arrived.
For several minutes, medics refused to enter the zoo until it had been secured. Meanwhile, zookeepers were trying to round up what they initially believed to be multiple tigers.
"Zoo personnel have the tiger in sight and are dealing with it," reads a 5:17 p.m. note on the transcript.
The transcript does not indicate when police or emergency responders entered, but by 5:20 p.m. medics had located one victim with a large puncture hole to his neck. The tiger was still loose.
As medics attended to the victim, an officer spotted the tiger sitting down before it fled and began attacking another victim, according to the logs.
At 5:27 p.m., less than 20 minutes after the initial reports were made, the officers began firing, killing the tiger.
It was unclear whether letting police and medics into the zoo sooner would have altered the outcome of the attacks or subjected emergency responders to greater danger with a tiger on the loose.
It has become increasingly clear that the tiger climbed over the wall of its enclosure, which at just under 12 1/2 high was about 4 feet below the recommended minimum for U.S. zoos.
Zoo officials said the zoo would reopen Thursday.
In the wake of the attack, the Oakland Zoo across San Francisco Bay plans to raise the height of the walls surrounding its tiger enclosure.
The concrete wall and chain-link fence surrounding the two tigers range from 13 1/2 feet to 16 feet, and the zoo is deciding how much higher to raise the pen, said Oakland Zoo executive director Joel Parrott. Its tiger exhibit includes a female Bengal tiger weighing 230 pounds and a female Siberian-Bengal mix weighing 305 pounds.
Finger pointing starts!!!
About 100 people gathered Saturday outside the San Jose home of Carlos Sousa Jr.'s grandmother for a vigil. Many held candles in cups and were silent as Sousa's father stood on the doorstep in front of two enlarged photos of he and his son.
"I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for coming here and honoring my son Carlos. My son Carlos was a very good boy" said Carlos Sousa Sr., choking back tears. "I can see that he had a lot of friends here. I want you all to remember the good things that he did and carry this with you in your hearts for as long as you can."
A 350-pound Siberian tiger killed Sousa Jr. and seriously hurt two of his friends after escaping from its enclosure. Paul Dhaliwal, 19, and Kulbir Dhaliwal, 23, were released from the hospital Saturday. The brothers suffered severe bite and claw wounds.
Police said Sousa Jr.'s neck was slashed while the teen tried to scare away the tiger after it attacked Kulbir Dhaliwal. Sousa, 17, died at the scene just before the zoo's closing time on Christmas Day.
Police radio transcripts revealed a chaotic scene at the San Francisco Zoo as zookeepers scrambled to locate and sedate the animal, and medics refused to enter until they knew they would be safe.
Zoo employees also initially questioned whether early reports of the attack were coming from a mentally unstable person, according to an 18-page log of communications from police dispatchers to officers and emergency responders at the scene.
According to the logs, zoo personnel initially told police that two men reporting the escaped tiger might be mentally disturbed and "making something up," though one was bleeding from the back of the head.
Two minutes later, at 5:10 p.m., zoo employees reported that a tiger was loose and, at 5:13 p.m., the zoo was being evacuated and locked down as fire department responders arrived.
For several minutes, medics refused to enter the zoo until it had been secured. Meanwhile, zookeepers were trying to round up what they initially believed to be multiple tigers.
"Zoo personnel have the tiger in sight and are dealing with it," reads a 5:17 p.m. note on the transcript.
The transcript does not indicate when police or emergency responders entered, but by 5:20 p.m. medics had located one victim with a large puncture hole to his neck. The tiger was still loose.
As medics attended to the victim, an officer spotted the tiger sitting down before it fled and began attacking another victim, according to the logs.
At 5:27 p.m., less than 20 minutes after the initial reports were made, the officers began firing, killing the tiger.
It was unclear whether letting police and medics into the zoo sooner would have altered the outcome of the attacks or subjected emergency responders to greater danger with a tiger on the loose.
It has become increasingly clear that the tiger climbed over the wall of its enclosure, which at just under 12 1/2 high was about 4 feet below the recommended minimum for U.S. zoos.
Zoo officials said the zoo would reopen Thursday.
In the wake of the attack, the Oakland Zoo across San Francisco Bay plans to raise the height of the walls surrounding its tiger enclosure.
The concrete wall and chain-link fence surrounding the two tigers range from 13 1/2 feet to 16 feet, and the zoo is deciding how much higher to raise the pen, said Oakland Zoo executive director Joel Parrott. Its tiger exhibit includes a female Bengal tiger weighing 230 pounds and a female Siberian-Bengal mix weighing 305 pounds.
Finger pointing starts!!!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
When Animal Attacks
Crime investigators have moved in to the zoo in America where a visitor was killed by a tiger on Christmas Day. Police are investigating the possibility that the three men involved in the attacked may have provoked the animal, or even helped it escape.
The two other men were seriously hurt and are being treated in hospital.
The animal - a Siberian tiger called Tatiana - was killed by armed police who were called to the incident at San Francisco zoo.
Talk about animalsZoo keepers say they don't know how the creature got out of her enclosure, which is surrounded by a high wall.
The dead man has been named as Carlos Sousa, 17, from San Jose.
The injured men - aged 19 and 23 - are expected to make a full recovery, doctors say.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Save the Orangutans
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched on Monday an action plan to protect the nation's disappearing orangutans.
The president said that if the world community fails to heed his country's action plan, orangutans could face a fate of extinction by the year 2050.
The Strategy and Action Plan for National Conservation of Orangutans, authored by the Indonesian ministry of Forestry Directorate Conservation and Nature Protection, presents the first specific, enforceable agenda to save orangutans from extinction.
The plan commits to maintain orangutan populations above critical thresholds at which their populations may fail to recover. A core target of the plan is to stabilize orangutan populations and habitat from now until 2017.
The idea for the plan sprang form a forum of scientists in 2004that reviewed data on the viability of orangutan populations and habitats.
The review showed that about 6,650 Sumatran orangutans and 55,000 Bornean orangutans remained in the wild, but most local populations were small, isolated and vulnerable.
Deforestation had directly and indirectly led to 3,000 orangutan deaths per year since 1970s.
The Indonesian president chose to launch the Orangutan Action Plan at the United Nations climate change conference now taking place in Bali, a resort island of Indonesia.
The president said that if the world community fails to heed his country's action plan, orangutans could face a fate of extinction by the year 2050.
The Strategy and Action Plan for National Conservation of Orangutans, authored by the Indonesian ministry of Forestry Directorate Conservation and Nature Protection, presents the first specific, enforceable agenda to save orangutans from extinction.
The plan commits to maintain orangutan populations above critical thresholds at which their populations may fail to recover. A core target of the plan is to stabilize orangutan populations and habitat from now until 2017.
The idea for the plan sprang form a forum of scientists in 2004that reviewed data on the viability of orangutan populations and habitats.
The review showed that about 6,650 Sumatran orangutans and 55,000 Bornean orangutans remained in the wild, but most local populations were small, isolated and vulnerable.
Deforestation had directly and indirectly led to 3,000 orangutan deaths per year since 1970s.
The Indonesian president chose to launch the Orangutan Action Plan at the United Nations climate change conference now taking place in Bali, a resort island of Indonesia.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Visit The Singapore Zoo
Any Enquires?
Contact Info
General Enquiries: 6269 3411 info@zoo.com.sg
Feedback: feedback@zoo.com.sg
Marketing Dept
Advertising and Business Development: 6360 8559 belle@zoo.com.sg
6360 8516 judy@zoo.com.sg
Retail: 6360 8510 retail@zoo.com.sg
Media Relations: 6360 8659 natt@zoo.com.sg
6210 5385 liangmin@zoo.com.sg
6360 8659 natt@zoo.com.sg
Membership: 6360 8546 membership@zoo.com.sg
Sponsorships & Adoptions: 6210 5364 queenie@zoo.com.sg
6360 8515 grace@zoo.com.sg
Sales Dept (Overseas Market)
Travel Trade, International Enquiries & Overseas functions: 6360 8672 / 604 sales@zoo.com.sg
Catering Sales Dept (Local Market)
catering_sales@zoo.com.sg
Family Days, Weddings & Birthdays;
6360 8500 / 8643
Seminars & Local Corporate functions: 6360 8511 / 8643
Meals' Reservation (Breakfast, lunch, dinner programme): 6360 8560
Education Dept
Education Services / School Groups & Camps: 6360 8534 shaiah@zoo.com.sg
Zoology Dept: 6360 8530
(For animal related queries only)
Zoological institutions interested in our Zoo's Surplus and Wanted List can contact Biswajit Guha at biswajit@zoo.com.sg.
Contact Info
General Enquiries: 6269 3411 info@zoo.com.sg
Feedback: feedback@zoo.com.sg
Marketing Dept
Advertising and Business Development: 6360 8559 belle@zoo.com.sg
6360 8516 judy@zoo.com.sg
Retail: 6360 8510 retail@zoo.com.sg
Media Relations: 6360 8659 natt@zoo.com.sg
6210 5385 liangmin@zoo.com.sg
6360 8659 natt@zoo.com.sg
Membership: 6360 8546 membership@zoo.com.sg
Sponsorships & Adoptions: 6210 5364 queenie@zoo.com.sg
6360 8515 grace@zoo.com.sg
Sales Dept (Overseas Market)
Travel Trade, International Enquiries & Overseas functions: 6360 8672 / 604 sales@zoo.com.sg
Catering Sales Dept (Local Market)
catering_sales@zoo.com.sg
Family Days, Weddings & Birthdays;
6360 8500 / 8643
Seminars & Local Corporate functions: 6360 8511 / 8643
Meals' Reservation (Breakfast, lunch, dinner programme): 6360 8560
Education Dept
Education Services / School Groups & Camps: 6360 8534 shaiah@zoo.com.sg
Zoology Dept: 6360 8530
(For animal related queries only)
Zoological institutions interested in our Zoo's Surplus and Wanted List can contact Biswajit Guha at biswajit@zoo.com.sg.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
NEW UPGRADED HABITAT FOR CHEETAHS AT SINGAPORE ZOO
Singapore Zoo's newly upgraded habitat for its cheetahs was officially opened by Mr S.Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry today. The revamped home offers the cheetahs, acclaimed as the fastest land mammal, more running space, and an unobstructed view for visitors from the tram route. The addition of a new glass-fronted observation hut allows visitors to potentially get nose to nose with the five-year-old cheetahs. The cheetahs, which belong to the southern African subspecies, are listed as Vulnerable to extinction according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“Cheetahs are facing extinction with an estimated population of only 12,000 left in the wild. We hope that with the opening of this newly upgraded habitat and the educational outreach programme which Singapore Zoo is undertaking this year-end school holidays, more people will be informed about the cheetahs’ plight and, more broadly, about the need for wildlife conservation,” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
The species is threatened in the wild as they are being squeezed out of their habitat because of human encroachment. Farmers often persecute them, as they are perceived as livestock predators, the cheetah’s natural prey having been replaced by cattle and sheep.
The new habitat will provide good mental stimulus for the cheetahs as there is a central lookout point which gives them a better vantage point from which to view their surroundings. Cheetahs favour flat land area to undulating land, and the newly constructed habitat is ideal for them as it incorporates a number of features that stimulate natural behaviour.
Built over a bigger area with better areas for running, the upgraded habitat of 817 sqm is almost three times bigger than the previous habitat of 284 sqm and took two months to complete.
Despite the numerous challenges to breeding cheetahs in captivity, Singapore Zoo successfully bred four cheetah cubs in 2002, after 29 years of trying. “I am pleased to say that this is truly a testament to the husbandry and expertise of our Zoo team. Not only is Singapore Zoo a wildlife park that visitors can enjoy, our track record for successful breeding also stands us in good stead in the world of wildlife conservation,” Ms Lai added.
In total, the Zoo has five cheetahs in its collection: three males, two of which are Singapore born and one brought in from Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa; and two females, one of which was born in Singapore and one brought in from the De Wildt Cheetah Breeding Centre in South Africa.
In addition to the upgraded exhibit, there is a complex of off-exhibit enclosures for the cheetahs and so we will be able to rotate our animals between a number of areas which will also provide them with extra stimulus as well as enabling us to restart breeding of the species in Singapore.
“Cheetahs are facing extinction with an estimated population of only 12,000 left in the wild. We hope that with the opening of this newly upgraded habitat and the educational outreach programme which Singapore Zoo is undertaking this year-end school holidays, more people will be informed about the cheetahs’ plight and, more broadly, about the need for wildlife conservation,” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
The species is threatened in the wild as they are being squeezed out of their habitat because of human encroachment. Farmers often persecute them, as they are perceived as livestock predators, the cheetah’s natural prey having been replaced by cattle and sheep.
The new habitat will provide good mental stimulus for the cheetahs as there is a central lookout point which gives them a better vantage point from which to view their surroundings. Cheetahs favour flat land area to undulating land, and the newly constructed habitat is ideal for them as it incorporates a number of features that stimulate natural behaviour.
Built over a bigger area with better areas for running, the upgraded habitat of 817 sqm is almost three times bigger than the previous habitat of 284 sqm and took two months to complete.
Despite the numerous challenges to breeding cheetahs in captivity, Singapore Zoo successfully bred four cheetah cubs in 2002, after 29 years of trying. “I am pleased to say that this is truly a testament to the husbandry and expertise of our Zoo team. Not only is Singapore Zoo a wildlife park that visitors can enjoy, our track record for successful breeding also stands us in good stead in the world of wildlife conservation,” Ms Lai added.
In total, the Zoo has five cheetahs in its collection: three males, two of which are Singapore born and one brought in from Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa; and two females, one of which was born in Singapore and one brought in from the De Wildt Cheetah Breeding Centre in South Africa.
In addition to the upgraded exhibit, there is a complex of off-exhibit enclosures for the cheetahs and so we will be able to rotate our animals between a number of areas which will also provide them with extra stimulus as well as enabling us to restart breeding of the species in Singapore.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Coming to Mandai - a new nature tourism cluster
A NEW nature-themed attraction will be coming to Singapore by 2015. Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran on Tuesday announced that the Government will be releasing a 30-hectare site in Mandai for tourism development.
The new site will be close to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and the Mandai Orchid Garden. Together, they will form a new tourism cluster for those who want to experience nature and get away from the urbanised environment.
Mr Iswaran said at the official opening of the new cheetah habitat at the zoo: 'Beyond shopping, fine dining and spa treatments, an increasing number of tourists are keen to commune with nature, visit natural habitats and see wildlife. Singapore Tourism Board, therefore, plans to develop a cluster of attractions at Mandai to make it one of Asia's top nature destinations.'
Investors and developers will be invited to submit their tender proposals for the new cluster, which is about half the size of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, in the middle of 2008.
The tender will be awarded by the end of the year.
At the same time, the Zoo and Night Safari will be spending $70 million over the next five years to improve their facilities, upgrade animal habitats and improve prove visitors' experience by adding more trams and eateries.
Wildlife Reserve Singapore, which owns the Zoo and Night Safari, is also in the midst of planning a third attraction to complement its current facilities.
Zoo executive director Fanny Lai said that the new cluster will probably be about 10 ha in size and will focus on freshwater flora and fauna.
Currently, the Zoo and Night Safari attract 2.5 million visitors annually. With the addition of the third attraction by Wildlife Reserves Singapore and the development on the new site, STB aims to double visitorship to five million annually.
This will help to help Singapore to achieve its tourism targets of 17 million visitors spending $30 billion here.
News of the new Mandai attractions did not go down well with nature lovers like the Nature Society, which is concerned that any development there may upset the fragile ecosystem of the neighbouring nature reserves.
The new site will be close to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and the Mandai Orchid Garden. Together, they will form a new tourism cluster for those who want to experience nature and get away from the urbanised environment.
Mr Iswaran said at the official opening of the new cheetah habitat at the zoo: 'Beyond shopping, fine dining and spa treatments, an increasing number of tourists are keen to commune with nature, visit natural habitats and see wildlife. Singapore Tourism Board, therefore, plans to develop a cluster of attractions at Mandai to make it one of Asia's top nature destinations.'
Investors and developers will be invited to submit their tender proposals for the new cluster, which is about half the size of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, in the middle of 2008.
The tender will be awarded by the end of the year.
At the same time, the Zoo and Night Safari will be spending $70 million over the next five years to improve their facilities, upgrade animal habitats and improve prove visitors' experience by adding more trams and eateries.
Wildlife Reserve Singapore, which owns the Zoo and Night Safari, is also in the midst of planning a third attraction to complement its current facilities.
Zoo executive director Fanny Lai said that the new cluster will probably be about 10 ha in size and will focus on freshwater flora and fauna.
Currently, the Zoo and Night Safari attract 2.5 million visitors annually. With the addition of the third attraction by Wildlife Reserves Singapore and the development on the new site, STB aims to double visitorship to five million annually.
This will help to help Singapore to achieve its tourism targets of 17 million visitors spending $30 billion here.
News of the new Mandai attractions did not go down well with nature lovers like the Nature Society, which is concerned that any development there may upset the fragile ecosystem of the neighbouring nature reserves.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
School Holiday, Visit the Singapore Zoo
Park Hopper 3-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark (Adult) $45.00
Park Hopper 3-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark (Child) $22.50
Park Hopper 2-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo and Night Safari (Adult) $30.00
Park Hopper 2-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo and Night Safari (Child) $15.00
ZOO Admission Ticket with Tram Ride (Adult) $21.50
ZOO Admission Ticket with Tram Ride (Child) $11.00
ZOO Admission Ticket Only (Adult) $16.50
ZOO Admission Ticket Only (Child) $8.50
Park Hopper 3-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark (Child) $22.50
Park Hopper 2-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo and Night Safari (Adult) $30.00
Park Hopper 2-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo and Night Safari (Child) $15.00
ZOO Admission Ticket with Tram Ride (Adult) $21.50
ZOO Admission Ticket with Tram Ride (Child) $11.00
ZOO Admission Ticket Only (Adult) $16.50
ZOO Admission Ticket Only (Child) $8.50
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Animal Friendly Tourism
Are you an animal-friendly tourist?As a tourist, your money may support trades and events that profit from animal suffering, pain and death. When you are on holiday, you can enjoy the beauty of nature and rich cultural traditions of the countries you visit without taking part in activities that harm animals.
Here is the compassionate person's guide to a cruelty-free holiday:
Animal Acts: Cruelty Parading As Entertainment
Do not pay to watch an animal perform tricks or patronise places that have performing animal shows.Animals forced into entertainment in circus-style shows, such as cycling bears, golfing orangutans and fire-hoop jumping tigers, endure enormous stress and pain. Their training methods include beatings, food deprivation, drugging and surgically removing or impairing their teeth and claws. Often, they are not given adequate housing or care and live in appalling conditions when not performing. ‘Dancing bears' in India and Pakistan and the elephants at many elephant parks in Thailand who are made to play musical instruments, ‘play football' and perform tricks endure similar training methods and treatment.
In some wildlife parks in China , live rabbits, ducks, pigs and calves are thrown to hungry predator animals like tigers. Such cruelty will only stop when we refuse to watch.
Animal Photography: No Fun For The Animals
Never pay to have your photo taken with a wild animal, either on the street or at a zoo.Animals are often used for photography, feeding and cuddling sessions in zoos, hotels and on the streets in some countries. Many of these animals are captured from the wild after their families have been killed. Many are over-handled, starved and stressed. When they are out of sight of tourists, they could be chained, beaten, kicked and confined to tiny, bare cages, with little or no veterinary care. Worldwide, accidents involving people and captive wild animals are also on the increase, some of which result in serious injuries and death. There is also the danger of disease transmission between humans and animals in such settings.
Animal Rides: Abuse On The Roads
Do not participate in animal rides or encourage ‘begging elephants' on the city streets.When traveling, you will frequently come across animals such as elephants and ponies forced to take tourists for rides in sweltering temperatures without sufficient food or water. Some are malnourished, abused, old, injured or even pregnant. In Bangkok , although elephants are banned from the streets, their owners still walk them through the city hoping to make money from sympathetic residents and tourists. Many of these elephants are reported to be suffering from neglect and, at times, mistreatment.
Cockfights: Displays of Brutality
Never watch a cockfight or any other ‘sports' involving animals. Cockfights feature roosters specially bred for aggressiveness, forced to slash and gouge each other until one of them quits from blindness, injury or death. In countries like Thailand , lethal metal spikes on the legs and razor blades on the wings are forbidden. Nevertheless, the birds get severely injured just from the savage claws and powerful beaks. The losers often end up in the cooking pot. Children watching such fights could also develop insensitivity to violence.
Exotic Meat: Recipes for Torture
Do not be tempted to try ‘exotic' meats when on holiday.When you travel you want to try new things, but do not eat wildlife or domestic animals. This fuels illegal poaching and causes great pain and suffering. Wild animals are often captured and slaughtered in brutal ways. In countries like Korea , wild animals are trapped with wires around their mouths, leaving them to starve to death. Turtles have their meat scraped off while still alive. Dogs are struck with blunt blows to the head, then butchered while still conscious. Cats are boiled and skinned alive. Avoid restaurants which serve such meat, and let them know why you won't patronise them.
Live Animal Markets: Kidnapping Animals From Their Homes.
Avoid live animal markets in countries like Indonesia , where native and exotic species of birds, reptiles and mammals are offered for sale. Many of these species are protected by law. These creatures are often orphaned by poachers and illegally captured from the wild. They are mostly kept in filthy, tiny cages with little or no water, food, care, or shade from the grueling sun. Visiting and patronising these places will only encourage this cruel industry.
Marine Mammal Parks: The Underwater Prisons
Do not patronise marine parks that keep marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.Marine animals are known to suffer greatly in captivity, especially dolphins and orcas which are extremely social, intelligent and active animals. Captive marine mammals often live in small, sterile, chlorinated enclosures and are deprived of their natural activity level, social groups and interactions with their natural environment. Many of them develop stereotypic behaviour or aggression which is not known to occur in the wild. They are often forced to entertain visitors with unnatural and degrading tricks which teach nothing about their true behaviour. Training methods can be cruel, often involving food deprivation.
Souvenirs: Murder For The Sake Of Trinkets
Never buy souvenirs made from animals.When you buy souvenirs made from skins, shells, ivory, bone, fur or other animal products, the animals pay with their lives. To make combs and necklaces, turtles are cut up while they are still alive. For the sake of ivory seals and chopsticks, elephants are shot down and sometimes their faces are cut off to remove their tusks. Buying endangered species products not only fuels demand and causes more suffering, it pushes the species further towards extinction. Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, it is also a serious offence to import, export or posses an endangered species (including their parts, related products or derivatives) without a proper permit.
Zoos: There's Nothing Natural About Them
Some zoos in Asia imprison animals in extremely poor conditions. Wild animals who would hunt, forage and roam for miles every day cannot exercise their natural behaviour in captivity. Many suffer from mental stress, and this is evident from abnormal stereotypic behaviour like pacing up and down and constantly licking the metal cage bars. Instead of educating children about wild animal behaviour, zoos teach them that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity; bored, cramped, and far from their natural homes. Take the kids to sanctuaries or nature reserves instead, where animals can be observed in their natural habitat.
What Else You Can Do
Encourage your friends and family to be animal-friendly tourists whenever they go on holiday.
Check your tour itinerary (even if the tour is labeled as an eco-tour) to make sure it does not involve cruelty to animals. If it does, tell your travel agent you do not wish to go to places involved in such cruelty. Ask your agent to propose cruelty-free alternatives.
Ensure that your hotel does not display any wild animals. If you are at a hotel or resort that does, express your disapproval in writing to the management.
Find out if there are any local animal welfare societies you may need to contact if an animal needs help.
If you see instances of animal cruelty, record what you have seen through photos or videotape but never pay to take such pictures. Make sure to record the date, time, location, type and number of animals involved.
Write to the management of the facility, the event organiser, the local tourist office, the local police, the local animal welfare society, your tour operator or the Ambassador of that country when you return. You can also contact Acres.
Here is the compassionate person's guide to a cruelty-free holiday:
Animal Acts: Cruelty Parading As Entertainment
Do not pay to watch an animal perform tricks or patronise places that have performing animal shows.Animals forced into entertainment in circus-style shows, such as cycling bears, golfing orangutans and fire-hoop jumping tigers, endure enormous stress and pain. Their training methods include beatings, food deprivation, drugging and surgically removing or impairing their teeth and claws. Often, they are not given adequate housing or care and live in appalling conditions when not performing. ‘Dancing bears' in India and Pakistan and the elephants at many elephant parks in Thailand who are made to play musical instruments, ‘play football' and perform tricks endure similar training methods and treatment.
In some wildlife parks in China , live rabbits, ducks, pigs and calves are thrown to hungry predator animals like tigers. Such cruelty will only stop when we refuse to watch.
Animal Photography: No Fun For The Animals
Never pay to have your photo taken with a wild animal, either on the street or at a zoo.Animals are often used for photography, feeding and cuddling sessions in zoos, hotels and on the streets in some countries. Many of these animals are captured from the wild after their families have been killed. Many are over-handled, starved and stressed. When they are out of sight of tourists, they could be chained, beaten, kicked and confined to tiny, bare cages, with little or no veterinary care. Worldwide, accidents involving people and captive wild animals are also on the increase, some of which result in serious injuries and death. There is also the danger of disease transmission between humans and animals in such settings.
Animal Rides: Abuse On The Roads
Do not participate in animal rides or encourage ‘begging elephants' on the city streets.When traveling, you will frequently come across animals such as elephants and ponies forced to take tourists for rides in sweltering temperatures without sufficient food or water. Some are malnourished, abused, old, injured or even pregnant. In Bangkok , although elephants are banned from the streets, their owners still walk them through the city hoping to make money from sympathetic residents and tourists. Many of these elephants are reported to be suffering from neglect and, at times, mistreatment.
Cockfights: Displays of Brutality
Never watch a cockfight or any other ‘sports' involving animals. Cockfights feature roosters specially bred for aggressiveness, forced to slash and gouge each other until one of them quits from blindness, injury or death. In countries like Thailand , lethal metal spikes on the legs and razor blades on the wings are forbidden. Nevertheless, the birds get severely injured just from the savage claws and powerful beaks. The losers often end up in the cooking pot. Children watching such fights could also develop insensitivity to violence.
Exotic Meat: Recipes for Torture
Do not be tempted to try ‘exotic' meats when on holiday.When you travel you want to try new things, but do not eat wildlife or domestic animals. This fuels illegal poaching and causes great pain and suffering. Wild animals are often captured and slaughtered in brutal ways. In countries like Korea , wild animals are trapped with wires around their mouths, leaving them to starve to death. Turtles have their meat scraped off while still alive. Dogs are struck with blunt blows to the head, then butchered while still conscious. Cats are boiled and skinned alive. Avoid restaurants which serve such meat, and let them know why you won't patronise them.
Live Animal Markets: Kidnapping Animals From Their Homes.
Avoid live animal markets in countries like Indonesia , where native and exotic species of birds, reptiles and mammals are offered for sale. Many of these species are protected by law. These creatures are often orphaned by poachers and illegally captured from the wild. They are mostly kept in filthy, tiny cages with little or no water, food, care, or shade from the grueling sun. Visiting and patronising these places will only encourage this cruel industry.
Marine Mammal Parks: The Underwater Prisons
Do not patronise marine parks that keep marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.Marine animals are known to suffer greatly in captivity, especially dolphins and orcas which are extremely social, intelligent and active animals. Captive marine mammals often live in small, sterile, chlorinated enclosures and are deprived of their natural activity level, social groups and interactions with their natural environment. Many of them develop stereotypic behaviour or aggression which is not known to occur in the wild. They are often forced to entertain visitors with unnatural and degrading tricks which teach nothing about their true behaviour. Training methods can be cruel, often involving food deprivation.
Souvenirs: Murder For The Sake Of Trinkets
Never buy souvenirs made from animals.When you buy souvenirs made from skins, shells, ivory, bone, fur or other animal products, the animals pay with their lives. To make combs and necklaces, turtles are cut up while they are still alive. For the sake of ivory seals and chopsticks, elephants are shot down and sometimes their faces are cut off to remove their tusks. Buying endangered species products not only fuels demand and causes more suffering, it pushes the species further towards extinction. Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, it is also a serious offence to import, export or posses an endangered species (including their parts, related products or derivatives) without a proper permit.
Zoos: There's Nothing Natural About Them
Some zoos in Asia imprison animals in extremely poor conditions. Wild animals who would hunt, forage and roam for miles every day cannot exercise their natural behaviour in captivity. Many suffer from mental stress, and this is evident from abnormal stereotypic behaviour like pacing up and down and constantly licking the metal cage bars. Instead of educating children about wild animal behaviour, zoos teach them that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity; bored, cramped, and far from their natural homes. Take the kids to sanctuaries or nature reserves instead, where animals can be observed in their natural habitat.
What Else You Can Do
Encourage your friends and family to be animal-friendly tourists whenever they go on holiday.
Check your tour itinerary (even if the tour is labeled as an eco-tour) to make sure it does not involve cruelty to animals. If it does, tell your travel agent you do not wish to go to places involved in such cruelty. Ask your agent to propose cruelty-free alternatives.
Ensure that your hotel does not display any wild animals. If you are at a hotel or resort that does, express your disapproval in writing to the management.
Find out if there are any local animal welfare societies you may need to contact if an animal needs help.
If you see instances of animal cruelty, record what you have seen through photos or videotape but never pay to take such pictures. Make sure to record the date, time, location, type and number of animals involved.
Write to the management of the facility, the event organiser, the local tourist office, the local police, the local animal welfare society, your tour operator or the Ambassador of that country when you return. You can also contact Acres.
Friday, October 12, 2007
ZOOCHECK
Zoo Negeri Johor, Malaysia.Throughout Asia, many thousands of animals languish in appalling conditions in substandard zoos. Acres tries, wherever possible, to work together with the management of these zoos and discuss ways to improve the welfare of the animals.
Read on for an account of wholly substandard zoo that is situated just a few miles from Singapore. Acres is trying to help the animals there.
Life behind bars at Zoo Negeri Johor, Malaysia.Imagine a zoo where the primates are begging, reaching their hands out of the cages asking for food. Imagine a zoo where the animals are constantly displaying abnormal stereotypic behaviours. Imagine a zoo where enclosures are so filthy that a stench reeks from the enclosures. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures resembling wells. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures so small that the size is barely 0.001 percent the size of their natural homes.
Does a zoo like this exist? Does it have a place or any role in our society today? Since 2001, with the help of the International Primate Protection League (IPPL), Acres has been investigating Zoo Negeri Johor in Malaysia. The conditions for the animals are far from acceptable and are, in fact, appalling. The paragraph above aptly describes the living conditions.
Toney the chimpanzees' storyFor almost 30 years, Toney, a female chimpanzee lived in a small, barren cage at Zoo Negeri, Johor. In about 1995, her male partner died and she then lived a solitary life for many years until a new cage mate was acquired. While she was living in the cage, a behavioural study was conducted on her and the results proved beyond doubt that she was suffering each day she was kept in these conditions. She displayed a wide range of abnormal stereotypic behaviours repeatedly. These ranged from eating her faeces to regurgitating her food to rocking and swaying. These behaviours are clearly an indication of an abnormal animal-environment interaction. For most wild mammals in captivity, this probably means that the animal grew up in or is currently living in an environment suboptimal for meeting its natural, species-specific behavioural needs.
Since 2001, things have improved slightly for Toney. Toney was finally moved out of the cage into a larger enclosure. However, she now lives in a pit. The zoo also acquired a new male chimpanzee who now shares the enclosure with her. While this may be an improvement in her living conditions and might stimulate some social activity, Toney’s living conditions are still far from ideal.
New animals, old abusesIt is highly questionable whether the zoo should import any new animals when conditions remain unacceptable for all of the animals currently at the zoo. Any available funds should be directed to improving the existing enclosures to meet an acceptable standard before the import of any new animals.
However, since 2001, the zoo has brought in countless new animals including an orang utan, a siamang, a capuchin, a gibbon, Malayan sun bears, macaques and a large number of other animals. These animals are once again housed in appalling conditions. A new infant gibbon seen in 2001, for example, was housed in a cage measuring approximately 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres. This infant was far from the weaning age but was no longer with her mother. She was now living a solitary life.
Animals used for entertainmentZoo Negeri Johor also exploits the animals for entertainment purposes. A lion has been seen being used for photography sessions. Baby gibbons and other animals such as shy, nocturnal slow lorises who are confined in small cages in the blazing sun have also been seen to be used as ‘photo props’. Infant pig-tailed macaques and long-tailed macaques and even young Malayan sun bears are chained to the ground for visitors to touch and tease. Visitors can cuddle and take photos with all these animals upon request. These macaques, gibbons and several other primates and also the bear cubs are far from the weaning age and should be with their mothers.
ARCES work.
Read on for an account of wholly substandard zoo that is situated just a few miles from Singapore. Acres is trying to help the animals there.
Life behind bars at Zoo Negeri Johor, Malaysia.Imagine a zoo where the primates are begging, reaching their hands out of the cages asking for food. Imagine a zoo where the animals are constantly displaying abnormal stereotypic behaviours. Imagine a zoo where enclosures are so filthy that a stench reeks from the enclosures. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures resembling wells. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures so small that the size is barely 0.001 percent the size of their natural homes.
Does a zoo like this exist? Does it have a place or any role in our society today? Since 2001, with the help of the International Primate Protection League (IPPL), Acres has been investigating Zoo Negeri Johor in Malaysia. The conditions for the animals are far from acceptable and are, in fact, appalling. The paragraph above aptly describes the living conditions.
Toney the chimpanzees' storyFor almost 30 years, Toney, a female chimpanzee lived in a small, barren cage at Zoo Negeri, Johor. In about 1995, her male partner died and she then lived a solitary life for many years until a new cage mate was acquired. While she was living in the cage, a behavioural study was conducted on her and the results proved beyond doubt that she was suffering each day she was kept in these conditions. She displayed a wide range of abnormal stereotypic behaviours repeatedly. These ranged from eating her faeces to regurgitating her food to rocking and swaying. These behaviours are clearly an indication of an abnormal animal-environment interaction. For most wild mammals in captivity, this probably means that the animal grew up in or is currently living in an environment suboptimal for meeting its natural, species-specific behavioural needs.
Since 2001, things have improved slightly for Toney. Toney was finally moved out of the cage into a larger enclosure. However, she now lives in a pit. The zoo also acquired a new male chimpanzee who now shares the enclosure with her. While this may be an improvement in her living conditions and might stimulate some social activity, Toney’s living conditions are still far from ideal.
New animals, old abusesIt is highly questionable whether the zoo should import any new animals when conditions remain unacceptable for all of the animals currently at the zoo. Any available funds should be directed to improving the existing enclosures to meet an acceptable standard before the import of any new animals.
However, since 2001, the zoo has brought in countless new animals including an orang utan, a siamang, a capuchin, a gibbon, Malayan sun bears, macaques and a large number of other animals. These animals are once again housed in appalling conditions. A new infant gibbon seen in 2001, for example, was housed in a cage measuring approximately 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres. This infant was far from the weaning age but was no longer with her mother. She was now living a solitary life.
Animals used for entertainmentZoo Negeri Johor also exploits the animals for entertainment purposes. A lion has been seen being used for photography sessions. Baby gibbons and other animals such as shy, nocturnal slow lorises who are confined in small cages in the blazing sun have also been seen to be used as ‘photo props’. Infant pig-tailed macaques and long-tailed macaques and even young Malayan sun bears are chained to the ground for visitors to touch and tease. Visitors can cuddle and take photos with all these animals upon request. These macaques, gibbons and several other primates and also the bear cubs are far from the weaning age and should be with their mothers.
ARCES work.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Singapore Zoo Host REPTILE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP
For two and half days, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia (The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network) together with the Singapore Zoo will share their expertise with 29 Immigration and Checkpoint Authority officers (ICA), and 10 officers from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), in the first joint workshop on reptile identification in Singapore.
The workshop, hosted by the Singapore Zoo, will be held from October 3 – 5, 2007. It is part of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s continuing effort to increase the capacity of enforcement officers in this region to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Reptiles in particular are one of the most heavily traded species groups, particularly for Singapore.
“More than just a classroom exercise, in this workshop, participants will get hands-on practical exercise in handling live specimens from the reptile family and in identifying different types of skins and products some animals are highly traded for,” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
The workshop will focus on the identification of the four main species groups – snakes, turtles and tortoises, lizards and crocodiles. There will be practical tips on identifying species through both classroom teaching as well as demonstration of live specimens and by-products. The lead trainer for this workshop is Dr Mark Auliya, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Scientific Officer who has over thirteen years of field experience and who has published several books and numerous research reports.
From earlier workshops given by TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia on regulating wildlife trade and the implementation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) it has become clear that identification of species in trade is the most important training priority of enforcement officers in this region. For certain species of rare reptiles, trade is the single biggest threat to their continual survival in the wild.
"The training aims to further equip the enforcement and ports officers with the knowledge of CITES and useful identification skills for the different types of reptile species, in order to enhance the implementation of CITES and to combat any illegal reptile trade through Singapore," said Dr. Ms Lye Fong Keng, Head of AVA's Wildlife Regulatory.
The Singapore Zoo has officially been designated as the rescue centre by AVA in caring for confiscated animals. In 2002, in collaboration with AVA, the Singapore Zoo successfully repatriated about 2000 star tortoises, a CITES listed species, to India to be released to their natural environment. "The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is always looking into ways to enhance our capabilities to deter the smuggling of unlawful items into Singapore. We look forward to an enriching workshop organised by the TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and the Singapore Zoo," said Mrs Samantha Toh- Koh, Head, Training Branch, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
In addition to reptile identification, the workshop will also cover case studies, past seizure cases of reptiles on a global level, wildlife trade and CITES by Traffic Southeast Asia and a module on handling and temporary care of confiscated specimens by staff from the Singapore Zoo.
The workshop, hosted by the Singapore Zoo, will be held from October 3 – 5, 2007. It is part of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s continuing effort to increase the capacity of enforcement officers in this region to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Reptiles in particular are one of the most heavily traded species groups, particularly for Singapore.
“More than just a classroom exercise, in this workshop, participants will get hands-on practical exercise in handling live specimens from the reptile family and in identifying different types of skins and products some animals are highly traded for,” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
The workshop will focus on the identification of the four main species groups – snakes, turtles and tortoises, lizards and crocodiles. There will be practical tips on identifying species through both classroom teaching as well as demonstration of live specimens and by-products. The lead trainer for this workshop is Dr Mark Auliya, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Scientific Officer who has over thirteen years of field experience and who has published several books and numerous research reports.
From earlier workshops given by TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia on regulating wildlife trade and the implementation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) it has become clear that identification of species in trade is the most important training priority of enforcement officers in this region. For certain species of rare reptiles, trade is the single biggest threat to their continual survival in the wild.
"The training aims to further equip the enforcement and ports officers with the knowledge of CITES and useful identification skills for the different types of reptile species, in order to enhance the implementation of CITES and to combat any illegal reptile trade through Singapore," said Dr. Ms Lye Fong Keng, Head of AVA's Wildlife Regulatory.
The Singapore Zoo has officially been designated as the rescue centre by AVA in caring for confiscated animals. In 2002, in collaboration with AVA, the Singapore Zoo successfully repatriated about 2000 star tortoises, a CITES listed species, to India to be released to their natural environment. "The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is always looking into ways to enhance our capabilities to deter the smuggling of unlawful items into Singapore. We look forward to an enriching workshop organised by the TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and the Singapore Zoo," said Mrs Samantha Toh- Koh, Head, Training Branch, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
In addition to reptile identification, the workshop will also cover case studies, past seizure cases of reptiles on a global level, wildlife trade and CITES by Traffic Southeast Asia and a module on handling and temporary care of confiscated specimens by staff from the Singapore Zoo.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Hunt and Traps in Pulau Ubin
A nature lover had a rude shock when he went on a trip to Pulau Ubin recently. Ben Lee, founder of Nature Trekker a non—profit organisation dedicated to nature appreciation in Singapore took pictures of a trap that was more than 2 metres (7 feet) high and was set deep in the forest.
According to him, the cage was big enough to house 15 wild boars and could be used for illegal poaching.
He also saw a man walking out of the forest with a sharp sickle.
Mr Lee has reported the incident to the National Parks Board.
NParks said it is illegal to carry out poaching activities in Pulau Ubin, parks and nature reserves
According to him, the cage was big enough to house 15 wild boars and could be used for illegal poaching.
He also saw a man walking out of the forest with a sharp sickle.
Mr Lee has reported the incident to the National Parks Board.
NParks said it is illegal to carry out poaching activities in Pulau Ubin, parks and nature reserves
Monday, September 10, 2007
Better conditions for Animals
The sprawling enclosures lush with greenery and tender care will be a welcome respite from the confines of their previous homes tiny cages and cramped tanks.
But funds for the first rescue centre that will house seized illegal animals set up by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), have been slow to come in.
According to Acres president and executive director Louis Ng, the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) is almost complete and is slated to open in the middle of next month.
But it is still in dire need of funds. The centre has raised S$627,000 since October last year and needs another S$460,000 to cover operations costs.
But while donations from the public have amounted to 46 per cent of the money raised so far, corporations have not been as forthcoming.
"Most (corporations) have declined funding because the project does not fall under their funding criteria or they have an existing adopted charity," Mr Ng said.
"We are confident, however, that if the public and corporate (sectors) learn about our predicament, they will contribute to the AWRC," he said.
In spite of these challenges, Acres is determined to continue its efforts and has resorted to taking loans worth $110,000, free of interest, from its members. "If we don’t set up this centre, no one else will help these animals," said Mr Ng.
The centre, which can house up to 400 animals, will provide a temporary home for prohibited creatures that have been confiscated or given up, such as star tortoises, gibbons, pythons and leopard geckos.
At the moment, seized animals are given to the zoo, the live turtle and tortoise museum, or the Chinese Gardens. But this is not ideal, he said.
"They’ve lived so long in cages, so it is time to live in open air enclosures," he said. But ultimately, the aim is to repatriate as many of these animals home as possible. For those who are unfit to go home, the AWRC will be their permanent home.
The AWRC will also serve as an educational centre that will raise the awareness of the illegal pet trade.
An Acres survey of 100 shops in 2005 found one in five selling animals facing extinction. And between 2001 and last year, about 4,000 wild animals have been confiscated or given up by the public.
Mr Ng hopes the AWRC will be able to help create the much—needed awareness on the illegal wildlife trade and environmental protection issues.
"We hope that the corporates will play an increasing role in the contributing to this growing movement," he added.
To mark World Animal Day, Acres will be celebrating Singaporean’s support for animal protection efforts with a three—day festival from October 5 to 7 at The Atrium @ Orchard (beside Plaza Singapura).
Log on to www.acres.org.sg to donate or to find out more about the AWRC.
But funds for the first rescue centre that will house seized illegal animals set up by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), have been slow to come in.
According to Acres president and executive director Louis Ng, the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) is almost complete and is slated to open in the middle of next month.
But it is still in dire need of funds. The centre has raised S$627,000 since October last year and needs another S$460,000 to cover operations costs.
But while donations from the public have amounted to 46 per cent of the money raised so far, corporations have not been as forthcoming.
"Most (corporations) have declined funding because the project does not fall under their funding criteria or they have an existing adopted charity," Mr Ng said.
"We are confident, however, that if the public and corporate (sectors) learn about our predicament, they will contribute to the AWRC," he said.
In spite of these challenges, Acres is determined to continue its efforts and has resorted to taking loans worth $110,000, free of interest, from its members. "If we don’t set up this centre, no one else will help these animals," said Mr Ng.
The centre, which can house up to 400 animals, will provide a temporary home for prohibited creatures that have been confiscated or given up, such as star tortoises, gibbons, pythons and leopard geckos.
At the moment, seized animals are given to the zoo, the live turtle and tortoise museum, or the Chinese Gardens. But this is not ideal, he said.
"They’ve lived so long in cages, so it is time to live in open air enclosures," he said. But ultimately, the aim is to repatriate as many of these animals home as possible. For those who are unfit to go home, the AWRC will be their permanent home.
The AWRC will also serve as an educational centre that will raise the awareness of the illegal pet trade.
An Acres survey of 100 shops in 2005 found one in five selling animals facing extinction. And between 2001 and last year, about 4,000 wild animals have been confiscated or given up by the public.
Mr Ng hopes the AWRC will be able to help create the much—needed awareness on the illegal wildlife trade and environmental protection issues.
"We hope that the corporates will play an increasing role in the contributing to this growing movement," he added.
To mark World Animal Day, Acres will be celebrating Singaporean’s support for animal protection efforts with a three—day festival from October 5 to 7 at The Atrium @ Orchard (beside Plaza Singapura).
Log on to www.acres.org.sg to donate or to find out more about the AWRC.
Friday, August 24, 2007
CHARITY FUND-RAISING MOONCAKES AT ZOO
Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival this year with a special sale of imported traditional mooncakes. As part of its conservation efforts, five dollars from the sale of each box of mooncakes will go towards the Wildlife Conservation Singapore Fund, an institution of public character – dedicated to research, educational programmes and upkeep of endangered animals.
Sold in a box of four, there are eight different varieties of halal-certified mooncakes from Malaysia available from August 27 – September 24, 2007. So enjoy your mooncakes and do your part for conservation at the same time!
Details:
Venue: Singapore Zoo and Night Safari80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore(Singapore Zoo and Night Safari retail outlets Cheers at Singapore Zoo Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant - Wok Station)
Date: August 27 – September 24, 2007Price: Ranges from $27-$33 per box of four
Varieties of moon cakes:Pure White Lin YoongPure Lin Yoong MooncakePure Golden Jade MooncakeBlack Sesame Lin Yoong Mooncake1 Yolk White Lin Yoong2 Yolk White Lin Yoong1 Yolk Pure Lin Yoong2 Yolk Pure Lin Yoong
Sold in a box of four, there are eight different varieties of halal-certified mooncakes from Malaysia available from August 27 – September 24, 2007. So enjoy your mooncakes and do your part for conservation at the same time!
Details:
Venue: Singapore Zoo and Night Safari80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore(Singapore Zoo and Night Safari retail outlets Cheers at Singapore Zoo Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant - Wok Station)
Date: August 27 – September 24, 2007Price: Ranges from $27-$33 per box of four
Varieties of moon cakes:Pure White Lin YoongPure Lin Yoong MooncakePure Golden Jade MooncakeBlack Sesame Lin Yoong Mooncake1 Yolk White Lin Yoong2 Yolk White Lin Yoong1 Yolk Pure Lin Yoong2 Yolk Pure Lin Yoong
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Sun Bear fear no more with latest UPGRADES
Singapore Zoo’s new sun bear enclosure opens after 18 months of careful planning, research and construction. It is constructed over 750 sqm and is more than four times larger than the old facility, which dates to as early as 1975. The new enclosure allows for enhanced enrichment programmes and provides the sun bears with a more natural and interesting abode.
The new home for the sun bears includes logs for climbing as well as bark chip substrate, which allows them to naturally forage and explore for food, which is hidden in an environment akin to a tropical rainforest. As sun bears are also active at night, the off-exhibit night enclosure for the bears is very large and includes bear “toys”, foraging areas, and a variety of sleeping platforms to occupy them.
“With the new enclosure, visitors will learn more about how sun bears behave in their natural environment. Of the eight species of bears, very little is known about the sun bear. But we do know that its wild population is on a sharp decline and they have become extinct in parts of their historical range. This is why over the years, we have funded a field research project to gather as much information as possible on sun bears” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director for Night Safari and Singapore Zoo.
To date, sun bears are listed as data deficient on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) Red List as little is known about them. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has listed sun bears in Appendix 1 which makes any commercial trade in the bear or its body parts illegal.
The field research project that the Singapore Zoo helps to sponsor on sun bears in the Danum Valley region of Sabah was spearheaded with the intention of gathering data on the ecology of the species and the prospects for survival in disrupted forest habitats. With information gathered from this research, the Zoo is able to gain further insight into the sun bears’ physical and mental needs.
“As we now have a better understanding about sun bears, we will be able to do more for the species. We have taken steps to improve the conditions for our sun bears by making their habitat more naturalistic. In months to come, we will be sending our male bear to another institution, and will receive an unrelated male for our sun bear breeding programme,” said Ms Lai.
In total, the new habitat will initially be home to three sun bears, one male (age five years old) and two females (age 17 and 30 years old respectively). The male bear and younger female bear were both born in Singapore, while the older female was brought in to Singapore when it was a one-year old cub in 1978; she may be the oldest sun bear in captivity. (As with most species, the longevity of a sun bear in the wild will notexceed the captive average age of 20 years.)
Since its inception, the Singapore Zoo has successfully produced and reared three sun bears.
Found mostly in the mainland countries of Southeast Asia, sun bears are losing their habitat to oil palm plantations and poaching for the traditional medicine trade and are probably close to extinction in many parts of their current range. Mr Wong Siew Te, expert field researcher on sun bears and first co-chair of the SunBear Expert Team for the IUCN from 2002 to 2005 was recently in Singapore at the invitation of the Zoo to share information from his Zoo-funded research findings on the plight of sun bears in the wild.
Zoo animal attack 6
A Chinese zookeeper needed more than 100 stitches after a 2-year-old panda viciously bit and scratched him during feeding time at a zoo in northwestern China, a zoo official and a newspaper said Monday.
The zookeeper, surnamed Zhang, was hospitalized after the attack Saturday in Lanzhou, Gansu province, but his life was not in danger, said a woman surnamed Zhou, who is director of the zoo's office. The Lanzhou Morning Post said the man needed more than 100 stitches.
Zhang was feeding the panda from outside the enclosure, sticking his arms through the wire, when the panda, Lan Zai, grabbed his arms and began biting them and then scratched his legs, Zhou said in a telephone interview.
Lan Zai was transferred to the zoo on July 28 from Chengdu in southwestern China and had apparently not adjusted well to Lanzhou's drier climate. The panda had refused to eat for several days, Zhou said.
The panda also had not grown comfortable with Zhang during its weeklong stay at the zoo.
Last October, a panda cub bit off part of the thumb of an American visitor who was feeding the animal at a reserve in southwestern China. A month earlier, a drunken Chinese tourist bit a panda at the Beijing Zoo after the animal attacked him when he jumped into the enclosure and tried to hug it.
The zookeeper, surnamed Zhang, was hospitalized after the attack Saturday in Lanzhou, Gansu province, but his life was not in danger, said a woman surnamed Zhou, who is director of the zoo's office. The Lanzhou Morning Post said the man needed more than 100 stitches.
Zhang was feeding the panda from outside the enclosure, sticking his arms through the wire, when the panda, Lan Zai, grabbed his arms and began biting them and then scratched his legs, Zhou said in a telephone interview.
Lan Zai was transferred to the zoo on July 28 from Chengdu in southwestern China and had apparently not adjusted well to Lanzhou's drier climate. The panda had refused to eat for several days, Zhou said.
The panda also had not grown comfortable with Zhang during its weeklong stay at the zoo.
Last October, a panda cub bit off part of the thumb of an American visitor who was feeding the animal at a reserve in southwestern China. A month earlier, a drunken Chinese tourist bit a panda at the Beijing Zoo after the animal attacked him when he jumped into the enclosure and tried to hug it.
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