Lending a helping hand

Lending a helping hand

Six years ago I filed a request with Ragunan Zoo but it went
unheeded. However, thanks to Mrs. Schmutzer, what I had earlier
requested has become a reality.

I must express my great gratitude to Mrs. Schmutzer for what
she has done. Without her help the animals at the zoo, including
some orangutans, would still be kept in horrible pens made of
cement.

After spending 10 years in such an enclosure, two animals were
finally brought out into an open-air pen.

I have to say here that Mrs. Schmutzer has not only helped
orangutans but also tigers and bears. I am very thankful for her
intervention.

For 36 years I have tried to lessen the plight of animals. I
have made small improvements and minor repairs, I have provided
medical treatment, food and other trivial things. In the lives of
human beings and animals "small things can have great
significance".

Saying "not me" and passing the responsibility onto another
person is something I cannot understand. How can anyone say such
a thing? Aren't we all obliged to pay attention to the animals
whose freedom we have stolen.

It goes without saying there are other people who have come to
my aid. I am grateful to them all. My thanks to Mrs. Schmutzer
will be endless.

ULRIKE FRFR VON MENGDEN

Ragunan Zoo

Jakarta