Rescuing illegally exploited animals

Recently, along with friends, I visited a typical pasar malam (fair) in a small town in West Java. A screened-off area, surrounded by placards promising various unlikely "wonders", aroused our curiosity.

We paid at a booth and entered ... and our positive mood evaporated. The exhibits included filthy, cramped cages containing miserable animals. Among these, we noted orangutans, a sun bear, even an African lion. The animals were poked with sticks to entertain the visitors.

Even though I was confident that what we were seeing was illegal, I was unsure what to do. Was it worth making a fuss? Who would have listened?

On advice, I contacted a local non-governmental organization. Within a day they visited the fair and agreed a plan with local authorities to confiscate the illegal animals (to a rescue center near Sukabumi, West Java). I received an acknowledgement saying, "Thank you for your information. You saved two baby orangutans, one sunbear, one Cocato galerita, one Lorius lory and one African lion". I feel good about that, although PROFAUNA deserves the real credit.

The purpose of this letter is to share the good news that information can make a difference.

(People with information should contact PROFAUNA at www.profauna.or.id or by e-mail at profauna@indosat.net.id or profaunajkt@indo.net.id or by phone on 7696582 or 0816 1363474.)

DOUGLAS SHEIL Bogor, West Java