Security concerns delay gorillas' arrival<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Four gorillas from a zoo in England failed to arrive here as
\nscheduled due to the security situation in the capital, it was
\nrevealed on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The four male apes, Kihi, Kimbou, Kijou and Kumou, from the
\nHowletts and Port Lympne animal park in Kent, England were
\nexpected to enter their newly built Rp 10 billion one-hectare
\nhome in Ragunan Zoo, South Jakarta, on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The project was postponed, however, due to security concerns
\nin the capital, Willie Smits, director of the Gibbon Foundation,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Anti-American protests in several cities in Java along with a
\ntravel warning issued by a number of embassies in Jakarta, are
\nthe main reasons why the Howletts animal park in England decided
\nto postpone sending the gorillas, he said.<\/p>\n
\"From what they saw in television reports, the situation in
\nJakarta is unsafe, therefore the delivery of the gorillas has
\nbeen postponed until the situation is more conducive,\" Smits told
\nreporters after his meeting with Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
In response to this development, Sutiyoso is sending Ismianto,
\nthe head of Ragunan zoo to England to assure the management of
\nHowletts and Port Lympe that there is no reason to postpone the
\ndelivery as the primates will be unharmed.<\/p>\n
\"As instructed by the governor, I shall leave for England next
\nweek to meet with Howletts' officials and explain to them that
\nthe situation in Indonesia is under control,\" Ismianto said.<\/p>\n
All requirements specified by Howletts prior to agreeing to
\nlend the four gorillas for a one-year period, such as
\nvaccinations, quarantine and the gorilla enclosure are well
\nprepared, he added.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the delay, Sutiyoso said he had telephoned the
\nBritish Ambassador, Richard Grozny, to express his objection to
\nthe postponement.<\/p>\n
\"I told him that I personally guarantee the safety of the
\ngorillas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The governor expects the primates to arrive some time this
\nmonth and postponed the inauguration of the enclosure.<\/p>\n
Should the gorillas arrive at Ragunan, the zoo would be the
\nonly one in Asia to have the rare primates.<\/p>\n
The delivery of the gorillas is being arranged and financed by
\nan animal lovers foundation founded by the late Mrs. Puck
\nSchmutzer who mandated Willie Smits to arrange the transfer in
\nher will.<\/p>\n
The state-run Ragunan zoo has about 3,500 animals consisting
\nof 253 species.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-concerns-delay-gorillas-arrival-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}