14th of
June 2016
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Indonesia Should Totally Stop the World
Cruellest Animal Attraction Elephant Riding
SCORPION Wildlife
Trade Monitoring Group asks for all zoos and safari parks across Indonesia to totally
stop as soon as possible all elephant ridings because this attraction is one of
10 cruellest wildlife attractions in the world. Scorpion sees that elephant
riding has no educational value, but it will only make elephants suffer for the
sake of amusement.
Senior
Investigator of the SCORPION Wildlife Trade Monitoring Group, Marison Guciano,
states that elephant riding ranks in the top 10 cruellest animal attractions.
World Animal Protection, an international wildlife protection organization has
issued a list of 10 cruellest animal attractions which includes elephant
riding, dolphin show, mask monkey show, civet coffee travel, selfie photo with
tiger, walking with lion, visiting sunbear park, holding a turtle, visiting
snake farm, and kissing a cobra.
According to
monitoring of SCORPION Wildlife Trade Monitoring Group, there are still many
zoos and safari parks rely on elephant ride attractions to attract visitors.
Visitors are
subject to a fee to be able to enjoy elephant riding. Some zoos which still use
elephant riding in Indonesia are Taman Safari Indonesia, Bali Safari and Marine
Park, Medan Zoo, Jambi Zoo and others.
According to
Marison Guciano, elephant riding often exploited from morning till afternoon to
take visitors around the areas of the zoo.
"Not
long ago we were surprised by the death of an elephant riding which was
carrying two tourists in Cambodia," Marison said.
In addition,
according to Marison Guciano, it is already a common knowledge that the
elephants used for elephant riding, previously tortured into docile and
obedient to the commands of the mahout. Torture is done to create inferior
feeling of the elephant to the mahout.
Marison hopes,
zoos and safari parks in Indonesia follow the "The Five Freedoms for Captive Wildlife, i.e.,;
1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst…by ready
access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2 Freedom from Discomfort…by providing appropriate
environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3 Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease….by
prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4 Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour…by
providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own
kind.
5 Freedom from Fear and Distress…by ensuring
conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
--oOo—
Contact:
1) Gunung Gea, Director, Scorpion Foundation
Cell Phone 085280108401
Email: gununggea@gmail.com, info@scorpionmonitor.org
2) Marison Guciano, Senior Investigator,
Scorpion Foundation
Cell Phone +6281210195047
Email: marisonguciano@gmail.com
Note: Photos may be used freely. Please credit: SCORPION Wildlife Trade Monitoring Group.
Elephant riding, Medan Zoo.
Elephant riding, Medan Zoo.
Medan Zoo.
