On the orangutan show

I refer to an article in the ASEAN AT A GLANCE in The Jakarta Post, on Aug. 5, page 11, titled Thailand bans orangutan show.

The revelation regarding the existence of a zoo in Bangkok that displayed kick-boxing orangutans filled me with profound shock, disgust and anger. The total disregard for these highly intelligent creatures that is exhibited in Thailand and other Asian countries is appalling.

Though it is encouraging that the Thai police have successfully launched an investigation into this fiendish caper, clearly the existing penalties for these crimes are not harsh enough, nor is enforcement sufficiently stringent, to bring this dastardly behavior to a halt.

Furthermore with the dubious circumstances surrounding the construction of the Ladia Galaska roads through the vast virgin rain forest habitat of orangutans in Sumatra, can the world expect the remaining members of our closest living relatives to share a similarly ghastly fate as these unfortunate 36 apes?

Building roads through rain forests can only serve the greed of illegal loggers and inhumane traders in endangered species while depriving the citizens of Indonesia and the world of their natural heritage. At least until better management of these reserves is possible, the illegal loggers are brought to justice and corruption at all levels in government, the police and the military are eliminated the Indonesian government must halt this project. There is so little time left.

ANTHONY GALLIGANI Brooklyn, USA