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From the Born Free Foundation
November 7, 2005
STOP PRESS - URGENT NEWS
Many of you may be aware of plans made
in February to capture over 300 wild animals in Kenya for shipment,
as a gift, to Chiang Mai Night Safari in Thailand. Born Free and
other wildlife and conservation groups have opposed this news
since it was announced. According to latest reports, although
the number of animals has been reduced to 135 the Thai Prime Minister
arrives in Kenya tomorrow (8th November) to move the process forward..
Background at http://www.bornfree.org.uk/zoocheck/zcnews050126.shtml
Latest news: http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07Nov2005_news04.php
Mass Shipment of Kenya's Wild Animals destined for Thai Theme Park
The Born Free Foundation and Youth for Conservation urges the Kenyan
government in the strongest possible terms to reconsider its proposal
to capture wild animals for export to Chiang Mai Night Safari, Thailand.
"We believe that this move would be a mistake, and could undermine
Kenya's credibility as a positive global force for animal welfare
and conservation," stated Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free
Foundation. "We are deeply concerned about how and where these
animals are to be sourced and the life that might await them should
this proposal become reality."
The species to be exported to Kenya reportedly include white rhino,
reticulated giraffe, lions, leopard and spotted hyena. Born Free
not only has serious concerns for the conservation of these animals
(some of which are CITES-listed species), it is also concerned about
the possible welfare and disease implications that exporting these
animals to Thailand may have. Only recently, a large number of tigers
at the Sri Racha Tiger Farm in Thailand had to be euthanised after
contracting Avian Flu. Born Free feels, therefore, that questions
must be asked about why Kenya feels that despite these risks it
is willing to send some of its own, wild-caught, big cats to Thailand,
including 20 lions, 3 cheetah and 3 leopard, as well as many wild-caught
birds.
This proposal appears to represent a dramatic change in direction
for Kenya. At the recent CITES Conference in Thailand, Kenya once
again played a leading role in the international debates on conservation
and wildlife trade issues, such as the illegal ivory trade. In that
forum Kenya was considered by many to be the leading, precautionary,
responsible voice of African conservation. Yet just 3 months later,
this proposal may potentially undermine this hard-won position.
Whilst attending the CITES Conference in Thailand, Born Free delegates
visited two zoos, and witnessed the poor conditions that some animals
in Thai zoos have to endure. This is of particular concern since
we are not aware of any guarantees that these animals will remain
in the Chiang Mai Night Safari and are concerned that there may
be nothing to prevent these animals, or their offspring, from ending
up on the roof of a department store. The Chiang Mai Night Safari
Park, the initial destination for these animals, does not seem to
want these animals for conservation or breeding purposes - putting
them on display to the general public can, in our view, in no way
justify their capture, shipment or lifetime incarceration.
Furthermore, Born Free is equally concerned at the prospect of
tigers being shipped from Thailand to Kenya, along with mahouts
for training elephants.
The Born Free Foundation is a long-standing friend of Kenya. Our
links go back to 1964, and the making of the film Born Free shortly
after Independence. We have supported, and will continue to support,
conservation and the protection of local wildlife and communities
within Kenya. Indeed, Born Free is extremely happy to hear that
Kenya's tourism industry is once again booming, and we are excited
to witness Kenya's developing relationship with Thailand.
However, we do not feel that this should be done at the expense
of living animals and should instead be fostered by encouraging
the Thai public to come and see Kenyan wildlife in its natural environment,
rather than exporting and displaying its wildlife in an unnatural
and alien environment.
Born Free is seriously concerned that this move may cause Kenya
to suffer widespread international criticism and condemnation, potentially
doing more harm than good to Kenya's hard-won reputation. Visitors
to Kenya come to see its wildlife as nature intended, not in captivity,
and many will be appalled at the prospect that hundreds of wild
animals may be about to leave.
"These animals are the heritage of the people of Kenya" said
Mr Travers. "I honestly doubt that Kenyan people would want
to see their natural heritage caged in this way. I urge and most
sincerely and respectfully request the President of Kenya to reconsider
this proposal which I am sure was conceived with the best of intentions
but is deeply flawed. The people of Kenya value freedom and we stand
ready to assist the Kenya Wildlife Service in protecting this great
country's unique wildlife heritage, thereby ensuring that together
we keep wildlife in the wild - where it belongs".
Action
SIGN THE PETITION
Please write a polite letter to the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and Industry and the Kenya Wildlife
Service Director, respectfully requesting that Kenya reconsiders
its proposal to send more than 300 wild caught animals to Thailand.
You can also copy your letter to the East African Standard. You
can see a sample letter written by a
Born Free supporter here >
Contact Details:
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife:
Fax 00 254 20 318045
KWS Director: Fax 254 20 603792
John Mbaria, East African Standard: eastafrican@nation.co.ke
NOTE: IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO FAX YOUR LETTER, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO
Shelley@bornfree.org.uk SO THAT WE CAN FAX IT ON YOUR BEHALF.
For further information please contact:
Alison Hood (Alison@bornfree.org.uk)
Shelley Petch (Shelley@bornfree.org.uk)
Youth For Conservation
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