Letter to the Editor: Investigate Reports of Cruelty to Elephants in Resort

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF CRUELTY TO ELEPHANTS IN RESORT

(Photo credits: A'Famosa's Abused and Exploited Elephants Need Our Help)

 

SPCA Selangor views with concern the videos which surfaced on Astro Awani in late August documenting incidences of cruelty and negligence towards captive elephants kept at the A' Famosa Resort in Melaka. This is not the first time the Resort has been implicated in wildlife cruelty.

 

The Resort was instructed by the Dept of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) to cease offering animal shows and photo opportunities with tigers in May 2010 following public outrage and investigations by Perhilitan. Yet Perhilitan has dismissed recent reports of cruelty against elephants and videos evidencing the same, and had claimed that there is no mistreatment of the elephants and no contravention of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. This could set a dangerous precedent of indifference towards objective and credible evidence tendered by citizens who are expressly encouraged on Perhilitan's website to report incidences of abuse and exploitation of wildlife. It would also perpetuate a culture of impunity of wildlife crimes.

 

We are especially concerned over Perhilitan's brief and cavalier denial of the abuse and statement that the living conditions of the elephants were "okay". What would the beatings of the elephants constitute, if not abuse and mistreatment?

 

We believe that concerned members of the public have a right to know whether the elephants were assessed by independent veterinarians, what the findings are, under what standards and guidelines are the elephants' living conditions considered "okay", and whether there will be regular follow-up assessments of the wildlife kept by the said Resort by Perhilitan. Perhilitan is endowed with the power to monitor wildlife displays and wildlife in captivity.

 

The closure of the Saleng Zoo in June 2011 demonstrates that Perhilitan is capable of taking positive action against errant zoos and wildlife facilities. SPCA Selangor therefore urges Perhilitan to carry out its investigations in a transparent and neutral manner, giving consideration not only to the current conditions in the Resort, but also to the photographic and documentary evidence previously tendered by visitors.

 

We urge Perhilitan to take appropriate action under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 without fear or favour. It is noted that A' Famosa Resort has a special permit from the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment to keep elephants for "ecotourism" purposes. We must take into cognisance that there are insufficient regulations in Malaysia on what businesses may use the label of ecotourism, despite the existence of a National Ecotourism Plan and a relatively sophisticated legal framework where wildlife and the environment are concerned.

 

SPCA Selangor wishes to remind consumers to carry out basic research on tourist destinations and tour operators before paying for services and experiences that may in fact harm animal populations, the natural environment and the local community. Ecotourism must necessarily sensitize people to the beauty of nature and vulnerability of wildlife and animals. Animals are trained to give rides or perform tricks through beatings and cruel training methods, including by the withholding of food. Animals performing tricks do not teach us anything about the natural history of the animal, their conservation status or their needs.

 

As a purportedly caring society, we must learn to appreciate wildlife as they are, and from a distance, without feeling the need to manhandle them and force them to entertain us. Until full and fair investigations are carried out and necessary action taken to end the suffering of the animals kept in A' Famosa Resort, SPCA Selangor urges all Malaysians and tourists to cease visiting the said Resort and other wildlife facilities and travelling zoos in which animals are kept in deplorable conditions.

 

Wong Ee Lynn

Senior Volunteer

SPCA Selangor

Reading with The Revolving Library

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, 'I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!'

All educators agree on the benefits of reading to children. Reading to children helps develop their vocabulary, imagination and language skills. It prepares them for academic success. It improves their communication and logical thinking skills. It enhances discipline and concentration. When we volunteer with children with a history of loss, trauma or economic/academic deprivation, reading to them helps them process new experiences and cope with the stress of dealing with changes and transitions, whether it is starting school or a visit to the dentist. Children also learn to identify with characters they like and emulate the courage, honesty or diligence of protagonists in books.

It is for this reason that Aravind and I started volunteering with The Revolving Library, a non-profit initiative which has the objective of promoting literacy and the reading habit among underprivileged children by setting up revolving/rotating mini-libraries in welfare homes and children's shelters and conducting volunteer reading programmes. It started when I purchased books for their library as part of a Kindness Project in loving memory of a dear friend, but in typical CovertOps fashion, I didn't want to just foist gifts on others. To me, a true gift is one in which one invests one's time, effort and passion.

It wasn't easy fitting reading sessions into my overpacked schedule, especially since I am attending lectures on Saturdays, but somehow we managed to make it to the House of Love, a newly established children's home in Klang, on May 18. The children come from backgrounds with very little exposure to the English language, so it was necessary for us to speak slowly and simply and to provide multilingual explanations in Malay and Mandarin. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the ability to read at average grade level, most of the children would score below 2. Yet they were enthusiastic and happy to see the regular volunteers, i.e. Vannitha, Lorraine, Indran and Grace. The children have a very positive attitude towards books and reading and saw the weekly visits of the volunteers as a treat.

We gave the children individual attention and took one child under our wing each.

Grace reading to one of the boys.

Indran reading to Jessica.

Aravind reading to Jonathan, who was unfortunately not attentive.

Here I am reading an Indian folktale, "The Fish That Talked", to Joseph.

I had offered to be the reader of the day and read "Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" out loud to the children. They enjoyed the story tremendously because it shows you what a lot of good a little love can do. People behave and think differently when they realise that someone cares for them.

This was followed up with an activity and discussion session on the book. The children earned stickers for recalling Mr. Hatch's acts of kindness, and for thinking up acts of kindness they can do themselves. We've got some good ones from the children, including "asking the new kid in school to play with us during recess," "not laughing at someone who falls down, and helping them up instead," and "helping Teacher carry books."

Then it was time for a noisier game. The children played "I Spy" to practice their vocabulary. This was followed by a sing-along session.

Our second visit to The House of Love was on their official opening day, and we had prepared some games and activities as usual.

I prepared Pass-the-Parcel with a vocabulary-building twist. What we hadn't expected, however, was to arrive at the home to find it filled with well-wishers from the local community and representatives from various welfare organisations. The children were all stressed out and anxious over having to perform some musical numbers for the guests, so there was no opportunity for us to carry out our reading programme and activities. Oh well. There's always next time.

The Revolving Library also conducts reading sessions in several other children's homes and community centres in Ampang, Kepong and Slim River. We always welcome new volunteers and donors. It takes a village, they say, to raise a child. And it takes a village library and a whole gaggle of committed and enthusiastic volunteer librarians to raise a book-loving child.

To find out more about The Revolving Library, click on the links below:

The Revolving Library's Official Website.

The Revolving Library's Facebook Page.

Email info@therevolvinglibrary.org for more information.

So what's a volunteer doing on the TEDx stage?

I believe it was sometime in June that I was invited to be a speaker at a TEDx event on the topic of volunteering. TED stands for Technology, Entrepreneurship and Design -- I know this much, so I really wasn't sure whether to accept the invitation because I didn't see how volunteering would fit into any of the conventional categories of TED talks. But the organisers managed to persuade me that it would be good for the causes I champion and could encourage other young professionals to volunteer. Since it wasn't particularly inconvenient for me and since I am no stranger to public speaking, I decided to accept the invitation.

In my usual style, I went about creating slides and making notes about the benefits and advantages of volunteering, how best to commence volunteering and how to research causes to volunteer for, pretty much at the last minute, since I was swamped, as always, with office work, volunteering and taking care of the Rowdies. It was only when the organisers e-mailed me again to request a copy of my slides that I was told it wasn't what they wanted at all. They had wanted to me talk about my own experiences as a volunteer, how I got started volunteering, lessons I learned along the way, and where I see myself headed as a volunteer.

Lord have mercy.
You could have told me that 2 weeks ago.

And so with 2 days to go until the day of the talk, I altered my slides, threw my prepared notes out the window and decided to speak impromptu, using my new slides and pictures to prompt me.

There were some technical glitches on the day itself but I was otherwise quite satisfied with how the talk went. One or two of the other speakers had their family members in the audience. I found it incredible. CovertMum and CovertDad were probably under the impression that I was either attending my postgrad classes or volunteering at the SPCA as usual on that particular day. I didn't think the talk was important enough to tell them about it. Aravind did come with me to provide moral support, prevent me from getting lost on my way to the university, stop me from playing WordMole and Advanced Sudoku on my phone and take fuzzy photos with my lousy compact camera.

The official event banner.
Reproduced from http://www.tedxmmu.com/ without permission but in accordance with the principles of fair use.

Getting ready behind the stage.

I look like I am leading an invisible dog out on an invisible leash, but really I am clicking a computer mouse in my hand to switch slides.

Oh well, perhaps it's just as well that the photos are blurry enough to hide my zits and double chin. Sigh.

Speakers, organisers and audience all on stage now.
The lady on my left is Wivina Belmonte of UNICEF, formerly of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Big props to her -- no powerpoint slides, no goofy school / childhood photos of herself, no unilateral declarations of her own awesomeness, yet her speech was the most powerful one of all. She is an amazing person with a huge heart. I hope to be more like her one day -- both as a person and as a speaker.

I decided to ask for one of the buntings of myself as a souvenir. Wish someone had edited the write-up for grammar and coherence, though.

The TEDx Talks organising committee finally uploaded the official YouTube video sometime last week. I think I sound a little loud and a little anxious because I am not used to being video-recorded live while I am talking.


I am not sure whether my talk would have a positive impact on anyone, or whether it would be watched at all, but I do hope to continue taking direct action to make a difference in our community, country and Planet for as long as I am able. Change doesn't happen just because one talks about it. Change happens when one commits to it, and hustles for it. So let's continue sticking our necks out and hustling for a better society and world.

Wild Encounters at the MNS EcoKids Zoo Enrichment Workshop

I first signed up as a Born Free Foundation Zoo Check Volunteer back in the mid-1990s, when animal welfare literature took weeks to arrive by snail-mail. My early visits to our National Zoo convinced me that Malaysian zoos, like most Asian zoos (then), fell way below acceptable animal welfare and education efforts.

Many years of campaigning later, I started volunteering with Zoo Negara as a way of learning more about managing and operating captive wildlife facilities and of becoming part of the solution to the problems associated with zoos and keeping wildlife in captivity.

I became determined that our National Zoo needs the support of Malaysians, and so as the coordinator of the Green Living and Eco Kids Special Interest Groups under the Malaysian Nature Society, I worked together with the Zoo Education Unit to organise a Zoo Volunteer Programme and Enrichment Workshop for members of the Malaysian Nature Society.

Though many of us do not enjoy seeing animals in captivity, 41 Malaysian Nature Society members were keen to learn how to improve the quality of life of animals at Zoo Negara. Zoo Education Officer Edwina and team were there to greet us when we arrived on the morning of 28th July 2013 and we were taken to the Enrichment Centre, where we were to prepare food puzzles and treats for the lions, tigers, tapirs and elephants, to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

It was also a good exercise in repurposing, as I had instructed the workshop participants to collect cardboard boxes, coconut shells and toilet roll tubes for the Enrichment Centre to be converted into toys and puzzles for the animals. The above are some of the enrichment materials and tools stored in the Enrichment Centre.

The children learned about animals' natural behaviours and how to encourage animals to display these behaviours to ensure that the animals stay active, healthy, stimulated and happy.

Due to the large size of our group, some of the participants chose to go on a Science Walk with Dr. Ille Gebeshuber, who is not only a Professor in Physics but also a dedicated MNS member and volunteer.

With the help of their parents, the children who stayed behind at the Enrichment Centre carved and hollowed out pumpkins to be stuffed with meat for the lions and tigers. The pumpkins would then be concealed in boxes or suspended from ropes to stimulate the big cats’ natural hunting and seeking instincts.

One of the mothers holds the pumpkin steady while a young participant drills the holes for the ropes.

The other participants cut up fruits and vegetables for the tapirs and elephants.

A group of participants wrapped a mixture of rice, palm sugar and bananas in banana leaves to be presented to the elephants.

The children put fruits and vegetable pieces on skewers and poked the sharp ends into a banana trunk to create a whimsical fruit cocktail bar for the tapirs.


The Science Walk group joined us at 10 a.m. for the Animal Enrichment Observation. It was not merely a session during which we observed “cute animals doing cute things”, but an important and educational lesson on animals’ natural behaviours and social needs. Education Officer Edwina must be commended on her short interactive lessons on snare traps and the wildlife trade, habitat loss, why some animals could not be reintroduced into the wild, the need for zoos and animal sanctuaries, the reason for the Zoo’s ban on Styrofoam, and the conservation status of many animals (i.e. least concern, endangered and extinct).

Here, some of the children learn how snare traps work and how to inform an adult and contact the Wildlife Hotline if they find snare traps in the jungle (these kids do go camping and hiking with their parents!), and how to report on restaurants offering wildlife products.

Well, there goes the cow! One of the tigers has found the pumpkin concealed in a box decorated to resemble a cartoon cow, but he wasn’t hungry enough to have his breakfast immediately.

The lions found their pumpkins within minutes, but seemed more interested in guarding the meat and casting jealous glares at their neighbours, the tigers.

Here comes the MNS mascots, the tapirs! Their proboscis wagged merrily when they smelled the fruits. And no, they didn’t hurt themselves on the satay skewers. Aren’t they clever?

Siti and Sibol, two of the Asian Elephants, go on a treasure hunt for the food parcels. Thank you for accepting our little gifts, dear lovely elephants!

Siti the Asian Elephant says: “Reach out and touch somebody today!”

Aravind and me, the happy volunteers as usual.


In an ideal world, animals would be able to live peacefully in the wild without human interference. However, with the number of threats to wildlife such as deforestation, poaching and hunting, zoos and sanctuaries have to be set up to provide safe living spaces for animals, in particular, captive-bred or confiscated wildlife who can no longer survive in the wild. It must be remembered that zoos and sanctuaries can never be a good substitute for life in the wild. Animals in captivity can and do get restless, bored, depressed and frustrated, and start displaying stereotypic behaviour such as swaying, rocking, biting, begging and overgrooming their fur or feathers to the point that bald patches appear. It is hoped that our little contributions helped to make the animals’ lives a little more fun and interesting.


I would like to take this opportunity to thank Edwina and her hardworking team as well as our ever-obliging Dr. Ille for their time, effort and assistance. May we all continue to do what we can to help and protect wildlife and the natural world and to keep the spirit of voluntarism alive.

Getting Our Wings In Jugra

Can you take me higher?
To a place where blind men see /
Can you take me higher?
To a place with golden streets /

~ Higher, by Creed

In the course of a normal conversation with one of my best friends, Amanda, last year, I discovered that she wanted to experience paragliding off Jugra Hill as much as I do. Now, this news was a stroke of good fortune to me, because: (1) I have always wanted to try paragliding and it makes a lot more sense to go with a companion; and (2) As I have resolved to practice a waste-free lifestyle by giving experience gifts rather than material/consumer gifts to friends and family, I now know what my ideal gift to Amanda would be.

I made a booking with Red Ribbon Days and we made an appointment with the instructor for May 23. Nicole and Aravind joined us as our cheer team and photographers. After many wrong turns and stress-fuelled calls to the instructor, we finally arrived at the top of the hill. It was a hot afternoon and the air was still. The instructor, Colonel Basir, informed us that we would have to wait for the wind situation to improve and pick up. And so we waited in the heat.

You could see the Straits of Malacca from the top of Jugra Hill.

Aravind and Nicole -- We couldn't ask for a better cheer team.

Showing some TLC to a Tembusu tree while waiting for the wind to pick up.

Alas, the wind conditions were not favourable, and Colonel Basir informed us with much regret that we would have to make an appointment for another day.

Just so that our trip to Jugra wasn't a complete waste, I decided to drive the gang over to the Sultan Abdul Samad mausoleum to have a look at the historical site. It was located within the forest reserve, so I know there would be plenty of wildlife to observe.

Sharp-eyed Nicole spotted these wild Malayan Giant Squirrels (Ratufa bicolor) feeding on fruits on a tree outside the mausoleum. Aren't they gorgeous? They completely made my day and helped ease the disappointment of not having the opportunity to paraglide that day.

How giant is "giant"? Well, I'd say they were about the size of my cats, only longer! Isn't nature amazing?

Our next paragliding appointment was June 11. Aravind had to work and couldn't join us this time. In retrospect, perhaps I should have changed the date to another day when he would be able to join us, but the fasting month was approaching, as was the annual haze, so there is no certainty as to whether we would have the opportunity to paraglide again within the next few months. I know Aravind would have liked to watch us paraglide, and Amanda and I will try to persuade him to agree to a birthday gift of a paragliding session from me.

We arrived at the site and started picking up litter left behind by the other paragliders and picnickers on the hill while waiting for Colonel Basir to arrive. I brought 3 biodegradable bin bags with me so we could bring the litter out with us. There are always opportunities to make a positive difference and leave someone and something in a better state, wherever we may be.

The lady who arrived before us got some big air with her paragliding instructor. We took a break from picking up litter to take photographs of her sailing over the treetops.

Colonel Basir arrived and got the equipment ready. It was decided that I would go first, as Amanda was feeling a little apprehensive all of a sudden. She helped me put on my harness and helment, while Nicole took photographs.

(View the Facebook video of me tandem paragliding here.)

I flew! I finally got to fly! It was amazing, riding on the hot air thermals like a raptor. Now I know what a bird feels like when it is flying. I have always loved trees, and they look even more attractive from above. Like clusters of brocolli florets or something equally appetising. We sailed towards the river mouth and over the oil palm plantations. I could see the council grass-cutters, tiny as Lego men, in the field below. It was over all too soon, but I will never forget the experience. There is something about non-motorised flight that allows one to connect with nature the way flying in an aircraft doesn't. Once we landed in the field below, Colonel Basir's assistant packed us both into the pickup and drove back up the hill.

Now it was Amanda's turn to get into the harness and protective gear.

(View the Facebook video of Amanda tandem paragliding here.)

After one false start, Amanda was up in the air. She was finally airborne, hurrah! Her flight lasted much longer than mine. I was happy for her because this was meant to be a birthday gift for her, after all! It was spectacular to see her gliding like a bird over the river, plantations and forest reserve. At one point, I thought she was going to land in the sea.

One for the album: Amanda, Colonel Basir and me (with a bin bag full of litter!) pose for posterity in front of the steel letters spelling out "JUGRA". The next time we come back, I would probably want to bring some white paint to touch up the scratches and rusty bits on the letters.

Our first attempt at tandem paragliding was a wonderful adventure and as much a gift to me as it was to Amanda.