WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONISTS URGE THE TOURISTS
TO BOYCOTT THAILAND
 

ProFauna demonstration in front of Thailand Embassy - Jakarta

Tourism in Thailand is still recovering from tsunami, however the conservationists and the people of Indonesia appeal to the world to boycott Thailand.  The wildlife conservation organisation, ProFauna Indonesia, is outraged that Thai authority and tourism are involved in the environmental crime on the biggest orang-utan smuggling scandal in history. In 2004 hundreds of Indonesian orang-utans, many of which are infants, were found in Thailand. This critically endangered wildlife is listed in Appendix 1 CITES.  Which ironically, Thailand is a signatory of CITES convention.  Orang-utans can only be found in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Infants are taken by killing their mothers. There are estimated to be 6000 Sumatran orang utans left in the wild.

“Safari World Zoo”, the biggest zoo in Bangkok, originally had at least 115 orang-utans - mostly were found confined inhumanely in cramped cages, contracted acute skin infection and herpes. Large numbers went “missing”.  Tens of other died because “pneumonia”,  Pin Kewkacha the owner of Safari World Zoo confessed in August 2004. The orang-utans were used for “boxing show” and underwent inhumane and painful training. 

The Indonesian Forestry Department assisted by ProFauna Indonesia and Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation have been trying their best to repatriate the orang-utans to their natural habitats. Ongoing correspondences, meetings, lobbying, demonstrations, international petitions and CITES secretariat  with Thai authority bear no result. 

The DNA test conducted by Kasetsart University, Thailand, was disappointing. Blood, hair and saliva samples taken at September 20, 2004 only produced in report on November 10, 2004. The result was shocking to all the parties as the test failed because of the “mistake” in taking samples.  It’s beggar belief that this renowned Thai university made such a mistake.  Another test is repeated, again at the expenses of Indonesian party.

The second DNA result was announced on December 15, 2004. The test which were carry out on 50 orangutans (7 adults and 43 juveniles) identifies that 31 orang-utans were “born” in the zoo while 12 others have no blood relationship. The Safari World Zoo could not also produce any  document to show their legality.

To date the Thai Government has not shown  seriousness in returning the poached orang-utans and their embassy in Jakarta stated that the test were not to find out their origin and that the orang utans cannot be transferred out of Safari World Zoo Thailand to avoid “stress and death”.

Third peace demonstration by wildlife conservationist and supporters is held in front of Thai Embassy in Jakarta today, 2 Feb 2005, to demand the return of the Indonesian orang-utans to their natural habitats.

For further information, please contact:

 
HARDI BAKTIANTORO
Division of Campaign, Coordinator
ProFauna Indonesia
Phone   : +62 341 570033
Fax      : +62 341 569506
Mobile : 0816 131 2003
Email    : international@profauna.or.id