Managing zoos

Managing zoos

From Media Indonesia

I would like to comment on a news story titled Hundreds of animals feel stressful in ten zoos, published in Media Indonesia on March 29. Such a thing should not happen in zoos as it is incompatible with the government regulation No.7/1999 on the preservation of animals and plants. The regulation says that zoos are obliged to give protection and a sense of security to animals in accordance with the health standard for animals. The decree of Forestry Minister No.479/1998 mentions that the main functions of a zoo is for the interests of conservation, education and sound recreation.

On this opportunity, I hope that the management of zoos in the country can make some internal improvements such as keeping animals in locations closely resembling their natural habitats, fulfilling animal behavior needs, paying attention to their welfare and giving some access to the public to know about animal development.

The number of animals, whether it increases or decreases, is important for the public to know so as to deter the mysterious death of animals and illegal trade allegedly conducted by certain officials. Animals in zoos completely depend on humans for survival. Should there be any zoos not meeting the requirements mentioned above, they should be closed down, otherwise the fauna will suffer and then die.

PRAMUDYA H.

Jakarta