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