I've said before, I spent a wonderful period of time in Thailand. I volunteered in two animal sanctuaries. They're currently being threatened and intimidated by a branch of the Thai Government, the Department of National Parks (DNP).
I've emailed what feels like an endless amount of media outlets, and I've received about two replies. I spend everyday being told what to worry about by the news, and I wish they would worry about what I want them to worry about once in a while.
The understanding of these actions is that the DNP have chosen to raid WFFT as a response to criticism in regards to their position on animals used in the tourist trade. The DNP have thus accused WFFT of animal cruelty, and irregular ownership of rescued animals.
In brief, the Wildlife Rescue Centre was founded in May 2001 by Edwin Wiek to take care of neglected wildlife that was in captivity due to the illegal wildlife trade. By the end of the first year, over 20 primates were rescued, a very sick and neglected tiger rescued and nursed back to health from the brink of death, as well as a small variety of other wildlife.
In 2002, a series of gibbon islands were constructed at the rescue centre and WFFT staff and volunteers stepped in to care for animals at Highland Farm gibbon sanctuary in northern Thailand, after the founder and owner, William Deters, was murdered.
In 2003, the first street-begging elephants were rescued and the Elephant Refuge and Education Centre started as an additional project to the rescue centre.
By the end of the fifth year, the WFFT had rescued over a thousand animals, many of which had been released back to the wild, such as birds, reptiles, pangolins, lorises and small wild cats. However a number of animals, that were not able to be released, remain in sanctuary care and ongoing rehabilitation. This includes elephants, bears, a tiger, a crocodile, as well as several species of macaques and gibbons.
From 2004-2006, WFFT facilitated the confiscation of a large number of orangutans from Thailand and Vietnam, and then repatriated them back to Indonesia in partnership with BOS Foundation. The organisation has won an award with The National Geographic.
Another organisation, Elephant Nature Park is a conservation project set in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand. It has been in operation since in the 1990's with a goal to provide a sanctuary and elephant rescue center. They have been involved in dozens of rescues and sustain a natural home for this endangered species. They are also vulnerable to the DNPs aim to threaten rescue centers and sanctuaries of Thailand. Elephant Nature Park was founded by Sangduen (Lek) Chailert (who has won numerous conservation awards including Hero of the Planet by the Ford Foundation, Hero of Asia by Time Magazine in 2005 and the Earth Day Award). Elephant Nature Park (ENP) is now being targeted as an NGO that may experience raids.
These rescue centers have been featured in National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, BBC and in print media throughout the world. They do not deserve to be targeted, unfounded in this manner.
After being intimidated and threatened by the DNP, both ENP and WFFT were on guard. WFFT were subsequently raided and lost thirteen animals over the 15th and 16th February to the dubious DNP holding facility. In this time, past and present volunteers rallied together over the internet and managed to reach 20,000 signatures on an online petition.
The organisation was granted a little respite on 17th February when a Thai celebrity, Tom Dundee (actor and singer) arrived at the park to demonstrate his allegiance with the work of WFFT. This temporarily halted the DNP.
Many supporters felt a brief period of relief. Over the next two days, however the DNP fought harder. On the 19th, WFFT were informed that once again, they should expect the DNP.
On the 21st, a press conference was called and both Edwin and Lek worked together joined by Antoinette van der Water of Bring the Elephant Home to describe their roles in aiming to protect Thailand's wildlife. They were individually and collectively asked important questions with regards to both their roles, and the current raids on their organisations by the Department of National Parks. Each speaker displayed total confidence and provided important evidence to defend their actions, especially with regards to speaking out about the recent killings of wild elephants at Kaeng Krachan National Park.
On the 22nd 20 armed officers patrolled the land of WFFT. This, I imagine, was deeply intimidating to the international volunteers supporting WFFT. In the meantime, Edwin supplied regular contact to the media to raise awareness about this situation.
On the 24th, 26 macaques, 11 gibbons, 5 bears, 8 leopard cats, 1 otter, 2 oriental pied hornbill and 1 great hornbill were taken. And in this album of pictures taken by volunteers (courageously, as the DNP aimed to avoid compromising photographs taking place) I hope you can see that whilst the DNP claim they are saving these animals from a 'zoo' like environment, the members of the DNP have no idea about animal welfare, and this is evident from the way they have treated these animals. http://www.facebook.
Finally, on the 25th the DNP confiscated what was left of the original 103 animals they had intended to take. This included several gibbons that were 'owned' by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, but whom had not experienced human contact in 9 years. Many of these gibbons were tranquilized at great heights and subject to risk for their physical well being. This can be seen in another album of photographs taken by volunteers http://www.
After being intimidated and threatened by the DNP, both ENP and WFFT were on guard. WFFT were subsequently raided and lost thirteen animals over the 15th and 16th February to the dubious DNP holding facility. In this time, past and present volunteers rallied together over the internet and managed to reach 20,000 signatures on an online petition.
The organisation was granted a little respite on 17th February when a Thai celebrity, Tom Dundee (actor and singer) arrived at the park to demonstrate his allegiance with the work of WFFT. This temporarily halted the DNP.
Many supporters felt a brief period of relief. Over the next two days, however the DNP fought harder. On the 19th, WFFT were informed that once again, they should expect the DNP.
On the 21st, a press conference was called and both Edwin and Lek worked together joined by Antoinette van der Water of Bring the Elephant Home to describe their roles in aiming to protect Thailand's wildlife. They were individually and collectively asked important questions with regards to both their roles, and the current raids on their organisations by the Department of National Parks. Each speaker displayed total confidence and provided important evidence to defend their actions, especially with regards to speaking out about the recent killings of wild elephants at Kaeng Krachan National Park.
On the 22nd 20 armed officers patrolled the land of WFFT. This, I imagine, was deeply intimidating to the international volunteers supporting WFFT. In the meantime, Edwin supplied regular contact to the media to raise awareness about this situation.
On the 24th, 26 macaques, 11 gibbons, 5 bears, 8 leopard cats, 1 otter, 2 oriental pied hornbill and 1 great hornbill were taken. And in this album of pictures taken by volunteers (courageously, as the DNP aimed to avoid compromising photographs taking place) I hope you can see that whilst the DNP claim they are saving these animals from a 'zoo' like environment, the members of the DNP have no idea about animal welfare, and this is evident from the way they have treated these animals. http://www.facebook.
Finally, on the 25th the DNP confiscated what was left of the original 103 animals they had intended to take. This included several gibbons that were 'owned' by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, but whom had not experienced human contact in 9 years. Many of these gibbons were tranquilized at great heights and subject to risk for their physical well being. This can be seen in another album of photographs taken by volunteers http://www.
Today, Edwin of WFFT was able to reclaim three animals, all of which were breeds of civet and only given back as they were not on the endangered list of Thailand's wildlife. Whilst supporters are glad these animals are able to return to their home, there is still a great deal of anxiety regarding the welfare of the 100+ other animals that were taken.
Unfortunately, according to Elephant Nature Park, they are expecting raids tomorrow. In addition, they are seriously worried that the founder, Lek will be granted a warrant for her arrest. She has once before had to run away from the Thai authorities due to her commitment to Thai wildlife. Unlike many in similar situations, Lek is entirely peaceful. She uses imagery and stories to explain the ways in which Thai culture, and the tourist industry of the country has threatened Thailand's wildlife.
This is symptomatic of a corrupt government attempting to silence individuals whom would fight for better animal welfare at the cost of the countries most profitable industry (tourism). It is obvious that the DNP are not acting on behalf of the welfare of these animals. If that were the case, they could have chosen to leave the animals in their current habitat until more suitable habitats had been arranged, opposed to allowing these animals to endure extreme stress. Additionally, I really hope you can see that WFFT only aims to rescue animals that have been treated badly. The organisations certainly does not aim to profit at these animals' expense. They have provided these animals with as much care and freedom as they are able to, given the circumstantial (history of the animals) and financial limits faced by any NGO. I have heard people get angry about WFFT, for some of the animals are in cages. WFFT uses donations to develop new closures regularly, and the excitement and pride when they are able to provide animals with a more exciting habitat is wonderful. Unfortunately, some of these animals have experienced such maltreatment that their opportunity of returning to the wilds unrealistic. Some of them will have to stay within the confines of WFFT, but they will be treated with respect and dignity, that they would not experience on the streets of (for example) Bangkok.
You can find more information about the organisation on their website www.wfft.org
For live updates, please see http://www.facebook.com/
You can also see the updates of Elephant Nature Park http://www.facebook.com/
The online petition set up by those who are aware of the current situation has reached a phenomenal number close to 50,000. http://www.thepetitionsite.
I hope that soon enough there will be some good news...
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