| Friday
11th January, 2008
Tasmania is
no Place for Bengal Tigers
Against Animal
Cruelty Tasmania (AACT) is concerned at the news that two Bengal Tigers
arrived in Tasmania today. AACT is concerned that the Tiger’s welfare
and needs will not be adequately met given the history of reported problems
at the Richmond Park.
Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania
(AACT) Coordinator, Julie Williamson states:
AACT has received calls from
the public concerned at the standards of care for animals at the park.
Documents obtained by AACT under Freedom of Information have revealed
similar complaints made to the Department of Primary Industries and
Water regarding the handling, lack of supervision and housing of animals
currently at the park.
Julie Williamson concluding:
We believe that Zoo Doo is
not an accredited member of ARAZPA (Australasian Regional Association
of Zoological Parks and Aquaria), an organisation which demands high
animal welfare standards of its associated members.
The Government has allowed
the import of these exotic animals and are ultimately responsible for
the ongoing monitoring of their welfare and ensuring that Zoo Doo are
complying with the Captive Management Plan for the care of the Tigers.
We would question if the government department and animal welfare officers
have the expertise to determine the welfare of such exotic animals.
The Bengal Tiger is an endangered
species according to the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) and has no place in Tasmania, particularly at a private
enterprise such as Zoo Doo where they will serve little or no educational
or conservation purpose and will instead be used primarily as a money
making opportunity.
The Bengal Tiger whose habitat
is primarily confined to India, Bangladesh and Nepal, weighs up to 250
kilograms and roams over large distances in its search for food. It is
believed that there are approximately 3000 Bengal Tigers remaining in
the wild and is listed as endangered by the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
For further Information: AACT Coordinator – Julie Williamson
0400 177 361
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