BEAR PROBLEMS

Post by **mardeemar** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:06 pm

ON VISITING A GARDEN CENTRE I WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE A SMALL BEAR CUB AS A PET. DOES ANYONE KNOW TO WHOM I COULD REPORT THIS PROBLEM

Post by **DawnHRD** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:25 pm

Try Edwin Wiek. He runs a Wildlife Sanctuary outside Cha Am. Website is www.wfft.org , phone no. 032 458135 & email info@wfft.org

Good luck & thanks for trying to help

Post by **PeteC** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:51 am

The Thai government also has a hotline to report illegal wildlife. I don't know if this bear would qualify? The number is 1362. I've never used it and had it in my cell phone address book for more than 2 yers now. Assumption is that it is still a valid number. Pete

Post by **Dicky** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:42 pm

This is one of the very few things that I don't really like about Thailand, that is,their apparent complete disregard for wildlife.What is the point in trying to keep a Bear for a pet?.They put animals in cages without any thought for the animals welfare-the cage is usually too small,reptiles just a bit of concrete with a pool of water.Remember seeing a Komodo Dragon in a cage at a park in AngThong made out of concrete reinforcing without even a proper floor.Would never be allowed in west.Having said all that it's their country and I can't really say too much.

Post by **SuperTonic** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:31 pm

I agree that some of the treatment of animals is ridiculous. I saw a baby elephant at the elephant village chained up and found that very distasteful. It didn't seem very happy.

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:32 am

The first time I came here for a holiday in 1989, there was a baby elephant at The Royal Garden Village (now Anantara) that was chained up at night. A few of us went to the sister hotel on one occasion - The Royal Garden Resort, now The Marriott - where there was another. On inspection, this poor beast was tethered by the neck - with barbed wire!!! I'm not joking. We complained to reception, but I doubt anything was done.
I sincerely hope similar animals are not kept in the same conditions at these places today.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:58 am

Whilst I am in no way condoning the treatment of wildlife in the cases highlighted above, the unfortunate truth is that in Asia, it is only the animalâ€™s value as a pet or tourist attraction that has stopped it from being eaten. Actually Thais, being Buddhist are by no means the worst offenders in this department.
Tell a Thai about treating animals with respect and they will appreciate the sentiments behind the concept, even if they donâ€™t carry it through into practice; if you were to have the same conversation with an Indonesian, he would laugh in your face.