Bird market

Bird market

While traveling in Indonesia my husband and I were shocked at the inhumane treatment of animals at the Yogyakarta bird market. As the market was described in a variety of travel guides we thought it would be an interesting place to visit. However, we were sickened and upset at the living conditions of many of the animals. We saw birds, monkeys, puppies, kittens, mongoose and bats living in overcrowded, tiny, filthy cages. The shopkeepers showed a blatant disregard for the welfare of these unfortunate animals.

Animals will always be bought and sold but people whose livelihood depends upon these animals should treat them in a more humane way. The unsanitary conditions at the bird market breed disease. When the animals become infected and die the vendors must spend more money to replace them. To stop this cruel cycle, the Indonesian government should monitor the living conditions of these animals. The government has the responsibility of persuading the shopkeepers to provide the basic needs for these animals, vendors who do not comply with these basic animal needs should be fined. If the bird market improves the living conditions of its animals it could be used as an example of responsible animal care. Then perhaps it will be worthy of being called a "tourist attraction."

YVETTE MEDER

and KEITH ANDONY

Nara, Japan