Tiger Being Abused For Money | A Famosa Resort
It is sad, heart-wrenching and disturbing to see a poor Tiger to be ‘abused’ in order to take photos with the visitors.
I am sure the Tiger was sedated and should NOT be subject of such abuse!
We all must be a responsible and caring animal taker.
Owning a pet do not give you the right to do whatever you want to it.
Do the patrons of A’ Famosa know that they are ENDANGERING their lives by walking passing a Wild Animal sitting on an entrance?
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Tiger being abused to earn money
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Watch this video and witness for yourself how disgusting the A’Famosa Resort Melaka treat their tiger.
This should not be happening at all at the first place!
A Malaysian wildlife park came under fire Sunday from wildlife activists over a video posted on YouTube showing an apparently drugged tiger being prodded and poked for the amusement of visitors.
The two-minute clip shows the tiger lying on a slab at a wildlife park in the Afamosa resort while a handler invites visitors walking around it to take pictures with the animal.
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A Famosa Resort general manager Allan Chee denied the abuse allegation and claimed there is no evidence that the tiger was drugged or abused by its handler.
You have to judge for yourself whether the reply is true.
Tiger already in extinction with only less than 3,200 tigers are believed to remain in the wild, down from an estimated 100,000 a century ago
Tiger is represented on Malaysia’s coat of arms and is a nation’s pride. Therefore it must be treated with greater dignity.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated-Mahatma Gandhi
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Uproar over abused tiger claim
MALACCA: A 500ha resort in Alor Gajah, with its own safari, has attracted the attention of animal lovers and authorities here over a video clip on the Internet allegedly showing the abuse of a drugged tiger during a photography session.
The two-minute clip first appeared on YouTube in February with the title “Tiger Being Abused For Money.”
It shows what seems to be a heavily sedated tiger on a raised platform and occasionally being propped up by its handler.
The recording also includes an audio recording of an unknown person questioning, in Cantonese, the alleged mistreatment of the tiger.
The person also mentions that she was told that patrons had to fork out RM15 to pose for photographs with the tiger.
When contacted, Malacca Society Against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) president Vincent Low said he was not shocked by such allegations as they had received complaints about the resort previously.
“It is a wild animal and should not be subjected to such treatment. Not only is it inhumane to treat the tiger in such a manner, it is also dangerous for patrons,” he said.
A Famosa Resort general manager Allan Chee denied the abuse allegation.
“There is no evidence that the tiger was drugged or abused by its handler,” he said, adding that he was aware of the video clip and had received numerous inquiries from the public.
Chee said the animal was a captive-bred tiger and was considered very tame and comfortable around humans.
“Tigers are nocturnal and those here are very well fed and become very lazy and lethargic during the mid-morning. So, it is natural that the handlers had to use extra coaxing to move the heavy tiger into position,” he said.
He also denied the resort charged RM15 for patrons to take photographs with the tiger.
“We only charge patrons if they ask us to photograph them with our instant camera,” he said.
A check revealed the resort had removed all negative comments from its Facebook fan page.
It is learnt that WWF Malaysia had also received numerous complaints over the video and had advised those concerned to take it up with the Wildlife and National Parks Department.
It is learnt that SPCA had submitted its recommendation to the department to ensure that animals at the resort were not abused.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/22/nation/6315674&sec=nation
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Wildlife for sale at Malaysia zoos
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Zoos are supposed to be about conservation and helping animals.
But wildlife experts say some zoos, particularly those that are privately funded, all too often engage in the illegal wildlife trade.
At one zoo in southern Malaysia, Al Jazeera was offered several animals for sale including leopard cats, which are protected by international conventions banning their trade.
Al Jazeera’s Laura Kyle reports (23 Mar 2010)
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A video footage shown on British national news in February of poachers in Malaysia who gloated over the carcass of a Malayan Tiger.
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Good disclosure of this type of practices to lure visitors whether paying a fee or otherwise.
The Malaysia Wild Life Department should take action against the resort
Dear Friend,
I have make it a mission today, to post this message in 100 blogs and sites. A Famosa has been allowed to carry on operating even though there has been so many complaints over the years about animal abuse. We need change to happen. And thats possible if only each of us do our part.
Please log in a complaint about this at the Prime Ministers
Departments Public Complaints Bureau at.
apps1.pcb.gov.my/eApps/bpaiaducmpl/AduCmplPublic/add.do?aplCode=en
Thanks!
MINAHKAYEL
On animal testing
EVERY year, millions of animals are used in medical and scientific research while millions more are tested to determine the “safety” of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and household products.
In recent years, with the increased protests from animal activists and the tightening of laws controlling the practice in the West, more and more outfits are “outsourcing” their testing or setting up offshore labs in countries where the awareness is lower and the laws are laxer.
Here are some of the animals commonly used in these tests:
Dogs
It can be difficult for people to imagine a fluffy pet suffering in a laboratory, but the reality is, many dogs are used in tests for applied medical research and education. Areas that have benefited include hormonal disorders, cardiology and osteopathic studies. Heart disease is one of the common diseases tested and studied on dogs.
Most dogs used in animal testing are specifically bred for this purpose but many stray ones are increasingly being taken from pounds for testing.
Beagles are the most popular dog breed for animal testing because they are considered an effective model for diseases and conditions in humans.
They are friendly and naturally happy; this lack of aggression makes them useful in animal testing.
The experiments in which beagles are used include experimental surgical and dental procedures as well as toxicology tests of various chemical substances and food.
Cats
Cats are used quite regularly in the field of neurology because their nerve cells can be isolated and obtained from their brain for experiments.
In fact, cats have contributed massively to our knowledge and development of neurological research. However, these experiments are believed to be extremely painful for the cats used.
Fruit fly
Invertebrates like the fruit fly are commonly used in animal testing because of their easy housing and care. Fruit flies are said to be useful in genetics research because their cellular make-up is simple, facilitating researchers’ study of biology and diseases.
Rodents
Rodents, which include rats, mice, guinea pigs and hamsters, are the most commonly used animals in bioscience and product research.
Mice are the most popular rodent because they are cheap to obtain, easy to handle, small and can reproduce rapidly. They are also thought to be a comparable model for human diseases and share most of their genes with humans.
Rabbits
Rabbits, particularly albino rabbits, are commonly used in testing for cosmetics and other chemicals. The main test conducted is the Draize test, which assesses drug toxicity by dropping a substance in the rabbit’s eyes or on their skin, which are then observed for redness, irritation or any other damage. This is said to be a very painful test and the rabbits are usually killed after it is completed.
Fish
It is estimated that around two hundred thousand fish are used for testing per year in the United Kingdom. Zebrafish is said to be the most commonly used in the study of biology and development because they can breed in enormous numbers. They are also quite small and transparent and can be manipulated well by researchers studying disease processes.
Frogs
The frog is one of the earliest animals used in animal tests for biomedical science. Eighteenth century biologist Luigi Galvani discovered the link between electricity and the nervous system through studying frogs. In 1952, Robert Briggs and Thomas Joseph King cloned a frog using a technique that was later used to create Dolly the Sheep. Today, frogs are still used in cloning research and other embryology branches because their early development process is easy to observe due to their “shell-less” eggs.
Non-human primates
Non-human primates are popular test subjects with some scientists due to their likeness to humans. They include several types of monkeys, such as marmosets, baboons, squirrel monkeys and the Cynomolgus Macaque monkeys. Non-human primates are primarily used in toxicology testing as well as to investigate the biology of the human body and treatment of diseases such as AIDS. Another use for non-human primates is psychological testing, including human’s learning behaviour.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/13/nation/6460879&sec=nation
Public uproar seeking justice for tiger
Rally scheduled outside A’ Famosa on Saturday
The uproar over the alleged recent mistreatment of a captive tiger in Malacca is continuing, with a public rally to be held outside the A’ Famosa Resort this Saturday.
A group of concerned citizens are organising a public awareness campaign to urge A’ Famosa and other organisations with wild animals under their private care to ensure animal rights are respected and adhered to.
A spokesman said: “We want to show how deeply we are concerned for the welfare of these animals and to stop them from being mistreated. This campaign is going to be a peaceful and positive drive, to educate the public at large about the need for better treatment of wildlife in captivity.”
She said the rally is scheduled to be held between 10.30am and 1.30pm, urging anyone who has been riled by the alleged mistreatment of the captive tiger to attend the event to share their support.
The public uproar was triggered by an amateur video lasting two minutes uploaded on video website YouTube and has gone to also inspire a Facebook group “Stop Animal Abuse at A’ Famosa”.
Thousands of viewers have commented on the postings on YouTube and Facebook, with many urging the authorities to act against the park while others want justice for the tiger.
A Facebook commentator claimed to having been present during the show when the captive tiger was allegedly mistreated and wrote: “I, along with several others, saw the tiger get hit by the men.
“They hit it, then jumped back (just in case it bit them, I presume). When they made the move to hit it again, the tiger cowered, backed up, with its ears flat, afraid of getting hit. It was heartbreaking.”
In the amateur video, a staff clad in an A’ Famosa uniform marked “Stunt Show 6” kicked the tiger’s paws with his foot. Another handler was seen kneeing the animal in the head, pulling its nose and whiskers and he even smiled at the video camera. The video was taken by a visitor to the park.
Upon viewing the video, The Malay Mail wondered what were the qualifications required for someone to be an assistant trainer at the park. A source, who claimed to have called the resort’s personnel department made a shocking discovery when she pretended to apply for that position.
She claimed she was told all she needed to become an assistant trainer is passion for the job and no formal education was required.
At Press time, the Youtube video posting “Tiger being abused to earn money” attracted more than 52,000 viewers.
Ellen Whyte, author of Katz Tales: Living Under The Velvet Paw, blog.lepak.com
“I don’t understand how people can abuse animals for entertainment. As many animal training methods are very cruel, I avoid animal acts of all kinds and I never support companies that put on these shows.
“The recent reports about the tiger abuse by the A’Famosa Resort is a disaster for animals and for Malaysia’s international reputation. Don’t we have laws and officials to protect these endangered animals?
“I wrote to both resorts in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as various authorities, back in February when news of these tiger shows first surfaced in the Press. I am aware lots of others did so, too, and yet nothing has been done. Why do the authorities not step in, rescue the tigers, take the resort to court, and ensure this never happens again?
“I hope that the public sends A’Famosa and companies who emulate their practices a message by refusing to support their activities. Being hit in the pocket is the only way to send a message to these unscrupulous enterprises.”
Lynette Lim, independent pet rescuer and blogger
“That video is undeniable concrete proof of heinous animal abuse. The tiger is a protected species, a very noble animal and the exploitation of its beauty and nobility at the hands of greedy, heartless humans is totally inexcusable.
“The tiger is very, very clearly heavily sedated. It is NOT acting the way a normal, healthy animal would. It is not just feeling sleepy after being fed.
“Tigers are predators and no matter how tame and used to people they may be, they are always alert and in tune with their very sharp senses. The footage of the handler using his knees to prop up the tiger’s head is disgusting and infuriating.
“I read the response from the marketing team of A’Famosa Resort and I found it condescending and completely untruthful. There is no way that tiger was behaving naturally. Any person with even a little knowledge of animals can see that.
“The authorities need to take a tougher stand on animal abuse of all kinds. Drugging an animal for photo sessions is most definitely abuse. I think all animals should be seized from A’Famosa Resort.
“At the moment, no one is actually regulating or monitoring these mini zoos that have popped up all over Malaysia and if not for the person who recorded the video of this tiger, the abuse would have gone on unnoticed indefinitely.
“The Forestry and Wildlife Departments are not doing their job at all. The abuse of this tiger was blatant and out in the open.”
Stanley Saw of ABCO Asia
“When I first saw the video on YouTube, the first thing that came to mind was how in the world could a professional manager of a zoo or any establishment that houses wild animals lie through their teeth and say the tiger was just feeling “lethargic”.
“The truth is clear to see that the animal was too heavily sedated and helpless. Which animal would allow someone to knee their head without reacting?
“Malaysians should feel outraged that their national icon has been reduced to a freak show.
“People need to realise that the exploitation of wildlife is wrong and establishments that exploit animals for profit should be boycotted.”
fr:mmail.com.my/content/37657-public-uproar-seeking-justice-tiger
A’Famosa under investigation for tiger abuse
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 — 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.
fr:mmail.com.my/content/37748-afamosa-under-investigation-tiger-abuse
Drug tests on A’Famosa tiger
The Deparment of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) is awaiting the results of a drug test done on a tiger that was allegedly drugged by its handlers at the A’Famosa Resort in Malacca recently.
“We have done a drug test on the tiger believed to be on the video posted on YouTube and are now waiting for the results,” said a department source, adding that the drug test was done on Monday before being sent to the Department of Chemistry.
When asked how the department could confirm that it was the same tiger, he said: “We are trying to get all the tigers tested but that is still pending further discussions with the investigating officer.”
Other than the drug test, the source said that no witness to the drugging of the tiger has come forward.
“Although the YouTube video is proof, we also need actual eyewitnesses to develop a stronger case,” he told The Malay Mail yesterday.
Perhilitan deputy director-general Misliah Mohamad Basir, said: “Our investigations are on-going and we will do our best to act on this case.”
Last month, The Paper That Cares reported on a two-minute video posted on YouTube about a tiger allegedly abused at the A’Famosa Resort in Malacca, which also inspired a Facebook group called ‘Stop Animal Abuse at A’Famosa.’ This incident caused an uproar among animal activists and Malaysians, and over 50 protesters staged a 30-minute gathering last month outside the main entrance of the resort.
The protestors included TV personalities Rina Omar and Bernie Chan and aimed at creating greater awareness on unethical treatment of animals.
Thousands of viewers have commented on YouTube and Facebook, with many urging the authorities to act against the resort while others want justice for the tiger.
It was also reported that the A’Famosa Resort could lose its license to keep captive wildlife on its premises, following the tiger abuse allegations.
Resort general manager Allan Chee denied the allegations and said tigers, being nocturnal creatures, become lazy and lethargic at mid-morning.
“So, naturally, zoo handlers have to use extra coaxing to move the heavy tiger into position,” Chee said.
fr:mmail.com.my/content/40046-drug-tests-afamosa-tiger
it’s a doggone cruel world
A DIFFERENT SPIN
By JO-JO STRUYS
Animal cruelty across the board is a serious matter because it’s a reflection of people, not animals.
I LOOKED like I had seen a ghost but that was only because the blood had drained from my face when I first heard about what happened to the dog now referred to as the “KTM dog”.
It pained me to hear how this stray dog was tied to a metal fence at the KTM station with a long wooden pole (the sort you mop your house with) shoved down its throat and left there to die. A passer-by phoned the SPCA, who rushed to the scene but the dog was no longer there. Someone must have removed the stick and untied the dog from the fence.
To think it was wandering around in that state, still alive, is beyond me. SPCA eventually located the dog and rescued it but it eventually died.
Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
When I spoke with SPCA Selangor chairman Christine Chin, I was shocked to learn that the fines in Malaysia for animal cruelty is only RM200. That’s less than some parking offences. In Britain, animal cruelty is a criminal offence with a fine of up to £20,000 (RM100,000) and 51 weeks in prison.
Closer to home, offenders in Singapore may be fined S$10,000 (RM24,000) for animal cruelty, imprisoned for up to 12 months or both.
A bone-chilling case on how seriously animal cruelty is viewed in other countries involved the infamous NFL football player Michael Vicks. When I visited the United States in 2007, his name was on everyone’s lips as a national outrage.
Vicks made global news for running an illegal dog-fighting operation where dogs that did not perform up to expectations in the blood sport were killed by electrocution, hanged, drowned or other violent means. He was imprisoned for almost two years.
Cruelty to animals is not only inhumane but it has disturbing repercussions on society. There is a plethora of documented evidence linking animal cruelty to violence.
According to the Humane Society of the US, 85% of physically abused women and 63% of children (in a survey of 50 shelters) had witnessed pet abuse in the family.
As a kid growing up with dogs, I find any form of cruelty heart-breaking because my experience with dogs has shown me how unconditional the love is. There is never a day that goes by without a dog being happy to see its owner.
My first companion in the world was a German Shepherd that would have given up its life for me, if he had to. My parents brought him home when he was a puppy and I was a toddler so that we could grow up together.
They strongly believed that placing a pet into a young child’s care would cultivate values like compassion, nurture instincts and a basic respect for life.
Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment because it becomes a part of your family.
Incredibly, when one of our dogs died, all the others did not eat for an entire day because they were grieving.
This is why abandonment cases riles me. I still remember driving by a particular cemetery in Singapore wondering why there were pedigree dogs on the grounds. I found out that their owners had driven them there to get rid of them.
For instance, there was a pug with a skin problem, so the owner was no longer interested in the dog due to its looks. Just imagine this scenario from a dog’s point of view.
One day, you had a family all around you but all of a sudden, you’re going on a road trip, being pushed out of the car not knowing when you’re getting your next meal or how you’re going to survive because you were never born on the streets.
The saddening thing is that these dogs did not move from the spot because they were waiting for their owners to come back (not realising they were never coming back). They just stayed there waiting without food or shelter.
Action For Singapore Dogs (a non-profit organisation with the mission to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore) rescued the abandoned pedigrees with heavy hearts because they realised the dogs were still not willing to leave the cemetery in case their owners came back.
On the home front, dog owners seriously need to be responsible about how they keep their dogs. A dog on a chain or caged all day, where its only interaction with its owners is when it’s being fed at the back of the house, would inevitably bark incessantly for attention or out of downright boredom.
Dog owners are also mistaken if they think a big yard or garden is good enough. It doesn’t replace the importance of walking your dog every day. They need exercise to drain all that pent-up tension in their system.
Dogs kept in poor conditions or without exercise become frustrated, unbalanced animals whereas dogs that are walked regularly are easier to train and are happier and more balanced.
As for dog owners who are trying to be responsible, it is disheartening to have almost nowhere to go in KL because public parks disallow dogs on their grounds. The only park I can think of where dog owners can walk their dogs without being stopped is Desa Parkcity in Kepong (where I’ve been walking my dogs for years) and people travel from far and wide just to walk their dogs there.
However, word has it that this stunning park will also become the property of a municipal town council one day, which would automatically mean no dogs.
So, where do dog owners like me trying to do right by our pets go? Sad to say, these conditions could lead to more dogs being cooped up, which is a form of cruelty.
Of course, Malaysia is a multi-cultural society with different races, different customs and even different pets but there is no reason why we can’t be united by all the right values. For instance, several of my Muslim friends on Facebook were horrified about what happened to the “KTM dog” despite the fact they’ve never owned a canine pet.
The suffering of that dog transcended cultural barriers because it’s inhumane and as humans, we cannot stand by and accept such senseless cruelty against those who have no voice.
If you ever witness an act of cruelty on the streets or in your own neighbourhood, don’t hesitate to call the SPCA at 03-4256 5312 because your phone call could save an animal from further suffering.
Jojo Struys is a TV personality in Malaysia and owner of three dogs. She blogs about various topics on jojostruys.com
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/21/nation/6493903&sec=nation
Hungry tiger shot dead by Rela member
SELAMA: A three-year-old male tiger was shot dead by a Rela member at Kampung Ulu Damaq in Sungai Bayor here yesterday.
Selama acting OCPD Asst Superintendent Ramli Mohammad said the tiger had been spotted several times in the village and that it had apparently killed poultry belonging to a villager.
He said in the 12.05pm incident, the tiger, weighing some 120kg, was believed to have strayed into the village, some 10km from the Bintang Hijau Forest Reserve to forage for food.
Spotting the tiger, the villager sought help from a friend, who is a Rela member, said ASP Ramli.
Armed with a shotgun, the Rela member killed the animal.
Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said a team had been sent to the village to investigate the incident.
“The villager claimed the tiger had killed his poultry,” she said.
She added that the carcass had been sent to the Wildlife Conservation Centre in Sungkai for preservation.
Shabrina said the villager should have called the department to set a a trap to catch the animal.
“We will not hesitate to recommend that the Rela member be charged if investigations find any wrongdoing,” she added.
This is the second tiger that was reportedly killed in the state this year.
In February, a tiger was caught in a wire snare and was killed by an orang asli at the Bukit Tapah Forest Reserve.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/23/nation/6525356&sec=nation
Rela man wrong in shooting tiger
IPOH: The Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has wrapped up its probe on the killing of a three-year-old tiger, saying that the Rela member was in the wrong to shoot the animal.
He should not have taken action on his own, Perhilitan director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said.
“Everything must be done according to the law.”
She said the case had now been forwarded to the office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.
On Tuesday, a villager of Kampung Ulu Damaq in Selama, alerted a Rela member about a tiger which had apparently killed poultry, besides foraging for food at a nearby forest reserve.
The Rela member subsequently used a shotgun to kill the 120kg beast.
In Kuala Lumpur, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that the villagers should have alerted Perhilitan promptly when they first spotted the tiger to ensure their safety and that of the tiger’s.
Expressing his outrage over the shooting of the tiger, he said the reason for killing the animal was unacceptable.
“We can rear poultry or buy them in the market but not tigers. Tigers must be protected,” Dr Chua said, adding that the animal also had a very special place in the Malaysian culture.
“We (MCA) have received many calls from the public expressing their unhappiness and outrage over the shooting (of the tiger),” he said in a statement yesterday.
Malaysian Nature Society communications head Andrew Sebastian said the villagers should have contacted Perhilitan first to seek their expertise and not act on their own.
“They cannot simply shoot and kill any tiger on sight. Tigers are endangered and protected species,” said Sebastian yesterday.
He said the Rela member who shot the tiger should also know about guidelines on firing their guns.
“Were there any warning shots to scare the big cat away?” he asked.
Sebastian said the society was in full support of Perhilitan.
“We hope that there would be strict punishment for the Rela member if there was any wrongdoing,” he added.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/24/nation/6533669&sec=nation
ohor Zoo welcomes lion cubs
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Zoo welcomed three newborn female African lion cubs last month and named one Corrie, after the American activist who died in Gaza.
Head zookeeper Mohd Sham Mahdon said Corrie and her siblings weighed about 5kg each and all of them were born on June 15. The two other cubs have yet to be named.
Their mother Siti and father Sarip are both 10-year-old captive lions at the zoo.
Mohd Sham said he picked the name Corrie in honour of the late activist Rachel Corrie. Rachel Corrie is also the name of the ship sent to Gaza carrying supplies for Palestinians recently.
“I was looking for a name for the latest batch when my wife mentioned a newspaper article on MV Rachel Corrie.
“Coincidentally I turned on the television and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was also talking about the ship,” he said.
Rachel Corrie died in Israel when she stood as a human shield to protect a Palestinian house from the Israeli forces in 2003.
Mohd Sham said Corrie’s noble and brave deeds showed that she had a heart of a lion.
He said Corrie the cub was separated from its mother within a week of its birth to enable it to be raised individually but its other siblings were still being nursed by the mother.
Corrie enjoys special attention from Mohd Sham who bottle-feeds the cub every two hours.
She is also fed with chicken while at night it goes home to the head zookeeper’s room.
The zoo has three other male and seven female lions.
It opens daily from 8am to 6pm. Admission fee is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children aged three to 12 years.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/23/nation/6721936&sec=nation
Yen Yen: Learn from others regarding wildlife laws
ADELAIDE: Malaysia needs to learn from countries which have tough laws to strictly govern and scrutinise what is happening in zoos, wildlife and national parks in order for the country’s nature-tourism to progress in a big way, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
She cited Australia as an example. “Zoos, botanical gardens and national parks should be managed in an integrated manner like in Australia,” she said, adding that zoos, gardens and parks reflected the highest standard of environmental management.
Dr Ng said her ministry has come up with a policy of “Green Malaysia, Clean Malaysia” for its future direction in tourism promotion.
“That is why they can attract so many tourists every year. We, in Malaysia, need to learn and adopt similar laws,” she said.
On Friday, Dr Ng held meetings with the management of the world-renowned Adelaide Zoo that attracts up to 750,000 foreign tourists annually, and the Adelaide Botanical Gardens that attracts 1.4 million visitors annually.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/29/nation/6936002&sec=nation
Don’t protect the wrong
The Star Says
TO anyone with even the slightest knowledge of Perhilitan, Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks, its duty is to protect our nation’s flora and fauna rather than tolerate its ruthless exploitation.
With the questionable conduct of some Perhilitan officials in the infamous Anson Wong affair, the department’s announced revamp is long overdue. But will this promised “revamp” be the thorough overhaul the department needs, or will it be a mere bureaucratic whitewash?
The record of such matters is discouraging and disquieting. Perhilitan’s Penang director had simply been transferred, rather than fully investigated and penalised for any misconduct, following a disturbing pattern of transfers of controversial civil servants.
These transfers tend to be to locations too remote for continued controversy, and where misconduct may continue unobserved. The official message is that those suspected of guilt can remain free of proper investigations and disciplinary action, so long as they keep a low profile.
With convicted serial wildlife smuggler Anson Wong, the authorities have again shown a woeful lack of backbone. His latest crime had been discovered only by accident. Even after conviction his punishment was meek and mild.
From a maximum penalty of a RM1mil fine and a seven-year prison term for smuggling 95 live boa constrictors on board a passenger jet, Wong’s token RM190,000 fine and six-month jail term were paltry. We need to know what exactly happened in the judicial process.
The prosecution’s efforts in pressing for a tougher sentence warrant wide public support. Far from changing their ways, weak sentences will only encourage traffickers like Wong in their lucrative crimes.
We need not spend so much money in promoting the country’s image abroad if our actual standing is so transparently ugly. Like human trafficking, wildlife trafficking is a crime of international proportions that Malaysia is now seen to be a hub for.
Even big-time smugglers like Wong may find it difficult to escape chance discovery for so long without corruption in official circles. Ridiculously weak sentences then encourage more speculation on further corruption and collusion, aggravating Malaysia’s already dented image.
Since corruption is highly probable, the MACC should launch its own investigations alongside routine police work and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s internal audit.
These probes should include personnel in Perhilitan and the Customs Department, without being limited to them.
Wong once said that he “got greedy,” which is about as close to regret as he can get. It suggests that had he smuggled less, he might have escaped or been allowed to escape to continue smuggling more.
It must be clear that a licence to trade in the country’s natural resources is a privilege and not a right. Anyone even remotely suspected of wrongdoing should be removed from the list of applicants, with past offenders banned for life.
Much hope is now invested in the proposed Wildlife Conservation Act for licensing zoos.
The required criteria, conditions and vetting and approval processes must be open to public scrutiny, as well as the identities of the awardees.
However, we must reserve judgment on the proposed Act because Malaysians have too often been promised appropriate action only to be disappointed by miserable delivery. Necessary laws need to be in place and be enforced effectively and consistently.
It is high time Malaysia rises to the standards of current international practice. This must be expected of any decent country, particularly one that is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and vying for developed country status.
To ensure that proper official action continues, Malaysia should also set an example by encouraging private lawsuits by concerned individuals and NGOs against offenders like Wong, with the sums awarded going to wildlife and habitat preservation.
Coupled with official action, this should serve as an effective deterrent against their crimes and help redress the ecological imbalances they perpetrate.
Malaysia should be moving in these constructive directions to stay ahead, not only at the urging of foreign critics but for its own sake.
Ultimately, what is the worth of a country and its proud claims to success if it cannot even protect its own natural heritage against brazen criminals determined to profit by robbing and destroying it?
fr:thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2010/9/22/columnists/thestarsays/7077591&sec=thestarsays
Guidelines soon to curb cruelty to animals
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Government will issue guidelines against the indiscriminate treatment of pets in a fortnight, said state Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu.
He said the guidelines would include compound penalties against pet owners who act irresponsibly or are careless in the care of their animals.
“I am shocked and disappointed to hear about the nine dogs that were put to sleep by the authorities last Sunday.
“The animals should have been captured, tranquilised and sent to animal protection centres such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Selangor,” Liu said in a statement yesterday.
It was reported on Sunday that Kuala Langat District Council officers had put down the pedigree dogs at the farm where cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others were allegedly murdered.
The officers said that they put down the dogs — six Rottweilers, two Dalmations and a bulldog — because the animals reacted aggressively.
Sources said police had earlier asked the officers to remove the dogs from the farm.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/24/nation/7095828&sec=nation