By now, you should already know that Malaysia is synonymous with "animal abuse" among other words which is simply far too long (and perhaps, controversial) to list right now.
Besides the third-world manner of dealing with strays - shoving a stick down a dog's throat, tying it up and leaving it do die in its own feces OR organizing a fun activity like "Hunt the Stray & win $$", we've also gotta realize another lingering problem... the abuse of animals for the entertainment of others and just to make a little extra cash.
Places like Zoo Negara are meant to educate the young and old alike on wildlife - from their habits, to what they eat, to their names and blah blah blah. But unlike other countries that make this their priority, we're obviously more focused on the monetary aspect that places like this can provide. Just visit the Zoo and you'll see the pathetic conditions the animals live in, not to mention how malnourished they look. And I think this report by a reporter from Al Jazeera English ought to shock you: Wildlife for sale at Malaysian zoos
Recently, this video of a tiger being abused in A-Famosa has been going around. You can watch it HERE.
Now, this has caused quite a stir among animal activists here in Malaysia, and it's slowly creeping its way internationally too (YAY!). What any regular human being with half a brain sees is a heavily drugged tiger getting its slapped around, having its whiskers pulled and treated in an overall careless manner just for people to stupidly step up, pay RM 15 and have their picture taken with a half-dead tiger.
But when the officials of A-Famosa were questioned about this, they responded with what can possibly be described as the dumbest, most intellectually-challenged response ever.
"The tiger is just lazy..." More specifically, here's the entire e-mail response given by a certain Eric Ong who's from Marketing at A-Famosa.
Dear DewGem,
Warmest Greetings From A'Famosa Resort
We're referring to your e-mail on regards of the video shared on www.youtube.com
We would like make things clear that we never druged any of the animal for entertainment sake. The tiger shown in the video was just merely lazy and it's was (awesome grammar Eric) their nature to do so. We pratice a standard level in handling the animals.
However, rest assure that we had stop the photography session with the tigers due to the public & management concern of the tigers welfare. We appreciated your feedback which had been forwarded to management for their action to be taken.
Thank You.
Eric Ong.
(This e-mail was sent to "DewGem" whose real identity I'm not sure of, but all I can say is I truly value his/her taking concern in this matter and taking the trouble to send an e-mail to Eric. My e-mail was a little more harsh, so no response expected from Eric there.)
HAHAHA! Their nature to do so? Mister Eric here has obviously not subscribed to Animal Planet, or this certain attribute called "common sense" for that matter.
The fellas from A-Famosa also sent an e-mail to another concerned member of the public (whose name is kept private for obvious reasons) saying:
Warmest Greetings From A'Famosa Resort
We're referring to your e-mail on regards of the said video.
We would like to inform that the photography session had been removed since a few months ago due to the concern by the managment of the animal welfare.
We appreciated your feedback and hope that you have a nice day.
Thank You.
Eric Ong
As for now, I've no evidence if what they're saying is true. For all the latest updates on this inhumane issue, you can follow the "Stop Animal Abuse at A-Famosa" Facebook group.
If you feel strongly about this issue too, I suggest you don't retain the "Oh, what can we do? Our country is such. Maybe if I just ignore it, it'll go away" attitude. Instead, voice out your rage. Contact the necessary people.
CONTACTS:
For starters, here are some of the folks from A-Famosa itself.
eric.marketing@afamosa.com
ping.marketing@afamosa.com
kelly.tt@afamosa.com
You can also add the nice folks at A-Famosa on their Facebook page. Feel free to flood the page with cries of anger, complaints and videos of the abuse.
Alternatively, you could visit WWF Malaysia's website. (Personally, I'd say that's wishful thinking) But they ARE having a competition in which 5 celebrities compete for the title of WWF-Malaysia’s Tx2 Tiger Ambassador.We could certainly make full use of that. Or you could flood the WWF Facebook page. That should work too.
Next up, join the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) on their Facebook page and voice out your concerns.
More methods of action (taken from Stop Animal Abuse at A'Famosa)
How to Take Action:
Here are some ways you can expose this injustice & drive for action from relevant authorities.
1. Spread the word:
Share this with as many people as possible. Post the link of this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5ACVn73YL0) on your Facebook Profile and ask your friends to join this Facebook Page on the latest: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Animal-Abuse-at-A-Famosa/125692030790253?v=app_2373072738
2. CALL the Wildlife Crime Hotline: 019-356-4194 to complain about the A'FAMOSA Tiger Abuse.
3. Write to the Chief Minister of Melaka; include the link to the video posted as the "Website" in this page. Urge him to take enforcement action on this irresponsible methods: alirustam@melaka.gov.my
4. Write to the PERHILITAN Director-General's office and urge for action to change A'Famosa's handling of wildlife:
E-mails: Dato' Abd. Rashid Samsudin rashid@wildlife.gov.my
pakp@wildlife.gov.my
Phone Numbers: http://bit.ly/9Xlg8c
5. Write to wildlife conservation NGOs to advocate for justice on behalf of the abused tigers. If this is how one tiger can be treated, imagine the other animals in the same safari at A'Famosa:
a) Malaysian Conservation Alliance of Tigers (MYCAT). This is a joint programme between Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), TRAFFIC South East Asia, WWF Malaysia, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):
Emails: malaysian_cat2003@yahoo.com / mycat@wildlife.gov.my
Tel: +6 (03) 9075 2872 ext 140
More details here: http://www.mns.org.my/artabout.php?aid=40
b) TRAFFIC Network on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trafficnetwork
TRAFFIC South East Asia e-mail: tsea@po.jaring.my
Tel: +(603) 7880 3940
c) WWF Malaysia on FB: http://www.facebook.com/wwfmy
E-mail: contactus@wwf.org.my
Tel: +603 7803 3772
d) Malaysian Nature Society: http://www.mns.my/
Email: mns@mns.org.my
Tel: +603 - 2287 9422
6. Write to your local newspapers to investigate and write about this affront of wildlife treatment.
7. Call the local TV stations to run an expose on this abuse.
Do your part and make a change! Spread the word and do not let this sick issue remain unknown.
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