|
THAILAND: Following a short but intense campaign to raise awareness of the 53 illegally imported orangutans still in Thailand, and almost three years since they were discovered in a zoo, Thai authorities finally gave in and agreed to repatriate them to Indonesia within four to eight weeks. They should be back in Indonesia by the end of June 2006. There are still a number of orangutans in Thailand, which are of suspicious origin.
For further information on the illegally held orangutans in Thailand, click here
The Born To Be Wild campaign continues its work in Thailand, as well as Malaysia and Cambodia. A letter calling on CITES to take firm action as well as enforce sanctions against these countries, has the support of over 40 international conservation groups as well as Sir David Attenborough and Dr. Richard Leakey.
SAUDI ARABIA: The Indonesian authorities have told us that the young orangutan confiscated from a pet shop almost a year ago is soon to be returned to Indonesia. We will let you know when this has happened.
CAMBODIA: As many as 36 illegal orangutans were imported into Cambodia in July 2005. The owner of the zoo has admitted he was guilty, paid a substantial fine to the government of Cambodia and carried on abusing the orangutans. Their continued presence, let alone their continued exploitation by a zoo is a major embarrassment to CITES and it is time for sanctions to be applied against Cambodia for their failure to return these orangutans to their country of birth.
To read our special report with more information on the orangutans illegally held in Cambodia (pdf file), click here
When not being forced to perform stupid, cruel and humiliating games, the orangutans at Koh Kong Safari World face a lifelong prison sentence behind bars. Can you even begin to imagine what life is like for these orangutans, 365 days a year?
If this makes you angry, then please take action – and now: click here to see what you can do about this scandalous situation.
MALAYSIA: The relevant government department (which also happens to be the CITES authority in Malaysia) stubbornly refuses to return seven illegal orangutans to Central Kalimantan (Indonesia Borneo) and one to Sumatra. They also refuse to release a DNA report which would indicate how many illegal orangutans are REALLY in Malaysia and where they are imprisoned.
For further information on the illegal orangutans in Malaysia and what you can do to help them, please click here
|
