Anyone here interested in helping save endangered species?

[Roel]

NatureSavior I suggest you contact Edwin Wiek, the director of Wildlife Friends of Thailand Foundation in Petchaburi. He has been in this kind of business quite a while and can surely point you in the right direction. Have a look at their website:
http://www.wfft.org/

[redzonerocker]

Asking for support in other ways, such as financially, might generate some interest.

I doubt that, after his last few posts

'Wannabe Rambos'
I'm sure they are plentiful in the LOS.
I suspect their enthusiasm would deteriorate quite rapidly when faced with the realities of trekking through the jungle, on what will most likely be a fruitless & pointless project

Though a noble cause, not very well thought through imo

[dozer]

Asking for support in other ways, such as financially, might generate some interest.

I doubt that, after his last few posts

'Wannabe Rambos'
I'm sure they are plentiful in the LOS.
I suspect their enthusiasm would deteriorate quite rapidly when faced with the realities of trekking through the jungle, on what will most likely be a fruitless & pointless project

Though a noble cause, not very well thought through imo

They way this person aligned their supposed cause with the Paul Ayling thread was despicable.

[Takiap]

NatureSavior, I'm going to say what others should already have said..............you're as daft as they come.


First, you need a work permit - how the hell are you going to protect any animals when you're being used as a rent boy in the Bangkok Hilton?


Second, interfere with any of those very pleasant poaching gentleman, and you'll soon be providing a meal to the very wildlife you're hoping to save. Dead soldiers can't fight!


Third.......just because one of the posters referred to blacks as being Negros, doesn't automatically mean he or she is being racist, so please climb down off your politically correct high horse.



If you really wan't to make a difference, go about it in the correct way.

[STEVE G]

Wildlife needs protecting:

[PeteC]

There is another activist in your midst down there that I knew nothing about. Seems his organization has been at it for 11 years or more. Pete

Activist says 60-70 parks staff raided his house

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... -his-house

Published: 15/02/2012 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

A wildlife activist has claimed dozens of national park officials raided his home for no proper reason and harassed his family.

Edwin Wiek, founder and secretary-general of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), said 60 to 70 officials of the National Park, Wildlife and Plants Conservation Division raided his home at 11am on Monday.

Mr Wiek, 46, has lived in Thailand for 22 years and founded WFFT in 2001.

On Jan 24, Mr Wiek published an opinion article in an English-language newspaper, alleging corruption, negligence and an official cover-up of the killing of six wild elephants which took place within three weeks at the Kaeng Krachan and Kui Buri national parks.

He also circulated the information among the Thai language press.

Mr Wiek believes the raid stems from his exposing the corruption to the public.

He claims that certain politicians, park officials, police and businessmen are involved in the lucrative business of elephant poaching and have an interest in covering up the incident, as well as intimidating him to keep silent.

Mr Wiek said the officials who organised the raid claimed they had received reports the WFFT was holding 20 elephants illegally.

"We have only six elephants," he said. "They are all licensed legally.

"We have only three mahouts. How is it possible to have three mahouts and 20 elephants?"

When the search came up empty, the officials demanded documentation of some 450 animals on the 180 rai of land belonging to WFFT.

They demanded to see the documents within three hours.

Jansaeng Sangnanork, 34, who is Mr Weik's wife and also one of the WFFT's directors, was asked to assemble the papers. When she couldn't meet the deadline, police arrested her.

"I told them to arrest me instead, but they wouldn't," said Mr Wiek, who has been arrested twice before in what he claims to be acts of intimidation.

Mrs Jansaeng was released on bail at 3am on Tuesday, after Mr Wiek posted surety of 75,000 baht.

Mr Wiek said his ongoing conflicts with park officials have been 11 years in the making.

"I've made over 30 reports [of illegal poaching and other activities] and they have not made one case out of any of them," he said. "All they do is to say, 'We'll follow it up', or, 'We'll take care of it', but then nothing happens."

Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, said he know nothing of Monday's raid.

However, he admitted that he has information the WFFT holds illegal wildlife.

"I know he [Mr Wiek] means well. I know the WFFT's work can help us," Mr Chaiwat said.

"But at the same time I know of reports that people have donated to him wildlife to take care of, but those animals are not licensed, which makes them illegal."

Mr Chaiwat also questioned Mr Weik's claims park officials were involved in illegal poaching and cover-ups.

EDIT: The WFFT website http://www.wfft.org/

[Big Boy]

Are you sure it's not the same person on a recruiting spree?

[PeteC]

Are you sure it's not the same person on a recruiting spree?

That was the first thing that crossed my mind. Looking at the OP though he seems like a lone wolf so to speak. The WFFT website I just posted via edit seems to indicate they're a pretty sophisticated bunch. They are actively looking for volunteers so if the OP is not Mr. Wiek, the WFFT is the place he should contact rather than going it alone. Pete

[Big Boy]

The OP was only with us for 2 days - hasn't been back since. Maybe this'll entice him/her back.

[PeteC]

This WFFT doesn't ring a bell with me but I do remember a decade or more ago a man in the Hua Hin area who started saving and rehabilitating Gibbon monkeys down there. There was a lot in the news at the time about him and his efforts. I guess Mr. Wiek could be that man. Pete

[PeteC]

More on the WFFT. I haven't watched the entire video yet but he seems like a personable guy. Pete

[charleyboy]

WFFT does a great job for wildlife in this country.
Volunteers at the centre work 11 hours a day, seven days a week, providing care to all of the animals. Tasks involve multiple feeding sessions, cleaning enclosures, assisting with veterinary treatment and providing daily enrichments for each animal. While lifelong care is provided for those animals too injured or traumatized to be returned to the wild, where possible, animals are rehabilitated and released.

Big Boy...Before you start making assumptions about this person (Edwin Wieks) You might care to pop down to the sanctuary and see for yourself!

Tony.

[Roel]

There is another activist in your midst down there that I knew nothing about. Seems his organization has been at it for 11 years or more. Pete

The same one I already mentioned here on 3rd February.

Are you sure it's not the same person on a recruiting spree?

I am absolutely sure. I know Edwin as a very dedicated professional and he does certainly not need these kind of bullsh#t posts on an internet forum to draw attention.

[Big Boy]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one Roel. The way I read the Bangkok Post article, both the OP and Mr Wiek have very similar objectives. I'll have to assume that it is pure coincidence that both articles have appeared within a few days of each other.

Besides the above, what is 'bullsh#t' about reading the 2 pieces with very similar goals and concluding they could be one and the same person? I obviously don't have the privilege of knowing either person. I can assure you that my comment was not meant to offend, simply stating what the article brought in to my mind.

[Roel]

I do not want to go into detail but in trying to preserve wildlife and fight animal abuse in this country you easily make a lot of enemies in the process. Also very well connected ones, able to pull strings everywhere, including in the press.