Zoo in hot water over deaths of dolphins
Zoo in hot water over deaths of dolphins
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Where have all the dolphins
gone? That is the likely question of visitors to Taru Jurug Zoo.
Only a fortnight ago, from nine to 18 dolphins lived in the
town's only zoo.
Today only three of the animals remain alive.
Accounts from various sources suggest the death of the others
was due to mismanagement, neglect or plain ignorance.
The tragic story began in July 1997 when PT Solo Citra Perkasa
received permission from the Ministry of Forestry's Directorate
General for Protection and Conservation of Nature to capture and
keep the dolphins at Taru Jurug Zoo which the company manages.
The exact number of the mammals kept in captivity remains a
source of contention.
The company claims that it captured nine bottle-nosed dolphins
off the north coast of Java and that six died due to digestive
and respiratory problems in the past six months.
However, the head of an investigation team from the
Association of Indonesian Zoos, Ismu Sutanto Suwelo, said the
company should not have been given permission to keep the animals
in captivity since it lacked the necessary skills and knowledge
for their care.
"There are strong indications that the death of the dolphins
in the zoo was caused by mismanagement and ignorance, apart from
the fact that the facilities available were completely
inappropriate," Ismu said recently.
The Kartika Chandra Legal Aid Institute, representing vendors
in the zoo, also disputed the zoo's claim about the number of
animals.
The institute's director, Boyamin, said he knew of two former
keepers of the dolphins who said 15 of the 18 dolphins in the zoo
died.
According to information he received, the animals died of
iodine poisoning from the salt mixed in their pool.
Based on a complaint filed by the Legal Aid Institute,
Surakarta Police are investigating the deaths.
He said remains of three dolphins were exhumed for autopsies
to be performed at the biology laboratorium at Gadjah Mada
University in Yogyakarta.
Ismu added that the company violated its permit, which
stipulates keeping the dolphins at the zoo, by allowing them to
be used in circuses.
He said that two dolphins were currently in Palembang, South
Sumatra, and another in Purwakarta, West Java.
He urged the government to take strong action against PT Solo
Citra Perkasa for the violations, including revoking their
licenses and disciplining the zoo managers. (44/06)