Friday June 10, 2011
By DESIREE TRESA GASPER
desiree@thestar.com.my
SENAI: The keeper of a controversial private zoo says he will not surrender his animals without a fight after the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) decided not to renew its operating permit.
Saleng animal trainer and zoo keeper J. Sivapriyan said he was devastated when he received the letter from Perhilitan yesterday.
“This means I will lose all my animals, including the 32 tigers we have in the zoo.
“These animals are like my children and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the zoo is not closed down,” he said.
Under the Perhilitan ruling, animals found in illegal zoos are to be confiscated and sent to various designated animal facilities, in-cluding the Malacca zoo.
Sivapriyan said he had also appealed to the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said he had held numerous meetings with Perhilitan but his pleas were ignored.
Sivapriyan said instead of hurling accusations, Perhilitan should come up with proper evidence on why they think that the zoo was not up to standard.
“Our animals are actively breeding and if they were unhappy or abused, why would they do that?” he asked, adding that he would be starting a signature drive to prove that he had the backing of the public to keep the zoo open.
Johor Perhilitan director Sa-harudin Anan said his officers had audited the zoo and found that its condition was not suitable for animals.
“Although it is their right to start a signature drive, only the minister can approve its permit,” he said, adding that the department would not reject the renewal of the zoo's licence without valid reasons.
It was reported in The Star early last month (May 2) that several zoos were found to have enclosures that were too small and dirty apart from unhealthy animals.
Saleng animal trainer and zoo keeper J. Sivapriyan said he was devastated when he received the letter from Perhilitan yesterday.
“This means I will lose all my animals, including the 32 tigers we have in the zoo.
“These animals are like my children and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the zoo is not closed down,” he said.
Under the Perhilitan ruling, animals found in illegal zoos are to be confiscated and sent to various designated animal facilities, in-cluding the Malacca zoo.
Sivapriyan said he had also appealed to the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said he had held numerous meetings with Perhilitan but his pleas were ignored.
Sivapriyan said instead of hurling accusations, Perhilitan should come up with proper evidence on why they think that the zoo was not up to standard.
“Our animals are actively breeding and if they were unhappy or abused, why would they do that?” he asked, adding that he would be starting a signature drive to prove that he had the backing of the public to keep the zoo open.
Johor Perhilitan director Sa-harudin Anan said his officers had audited the zoo and found that its condition was not suitable for animals.
“Although it is their right to start a signature drive, only the minister can approve its permit,” he said, adding that the department would not reject the renewal of the zoo's licence without valid reasons.
It was reported in The Star early last month (May 2) that several zoos were found to have enclosures that were too small and dirty apart from unhealthy animals.
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