On the orangutan show

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