AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
Shut the bird market
Almost every major town in Indonesia has a bird market. Although bird markets sound harmless and worth a visit, in reality, many are run by networks of organized criminals, enriching themselves by illegally trading animal species -- protected and endangered, alive and dead.
The chickens, doves and ducks openly found for sale are often just a front for the illegal activities taking place behind the scenes. For example, endangered and protected animals are bought and sold at the back of the Pasar Pramuka and Jati Negara markets.
Indonesia has a long list of endangered species and these illegal markets, now commonplace in many parts of Indonesia, have created a vicious cycle of poaching and trading. Why has no serious action been taken by the authorities to end this illegal trade?
When asked, officials simply push the issue aside and say that raising awareness about protected animals is an important part of the process of ending the illegal wildlife trade. This is true enough, but after ten years of discussion without any results, isn't it time for real action?
Random confiscations of protected animals being kept as a pets in people's homes are useless when the actual trade at these bird markets is not being addressed by government officials.
Now a secondary problem has developed from the bird markets: they have become a potential source of bird flu and other diseases transmittable from animals to humans and vice versa. When animals are being concentrated in an unnatural way, such as in a bird market, their immune systems weaken and diseases strike.
The only response by government authorities has been to advise traders to disinfect cages. But disinfection alone can't stop bird flu. Bird markets are located in crowded areas in Jakarta. People living around the markets may become the innocent victims of this serious neglect.
The world is watching and waiting. The sooner Pramuka bird market closes its doors, the better for all of us -- people and animals alike.
Now is the time to take real action. One strike...two results!
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20070216.F08&irec=7
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
Almost every major town in Indonesia has a bird market. Although bird markets sound harmless and worth a visit, in reality, many are run by networks of organized criminals, enriching themselves by illegally trading animal species -- protected and endangered, alive and dead.
The chickens, doves and ducks openly found for sale are often just a front for the illegal activities taking place behind the scenes. For example, endangered and protected animals are bought and sold at the back of the Pasar Pramuka and Jati Negara markets.
Indonesia has a long list of endangered species and these illegal markets, now commonplace in many parts of Indonesia, have created a vicious cycle of poaching and trading. Why has no serious action been taken by the authorities to end this illegal trade?
When asked, officials simply push the issue aside and say that raising awareness about protected animals is an important part of the process of ending the illegal wildlife trade. This is true enough, but after ten years of discussion without any results, isn't it time for real action?
Random confiscations of protected animals being kept as a pets in people's homes are useless when the actual trade at these bird markets is not being addressed by government officials.
Now a secondary problem has developed from the bird markets: they have become a potential source of bird flu and other diseases transmittable from animals to humans and vice versa. When animals are being concentrated in an unnatural way, such as in a bird market, their immune systems weaken and diseases strike.
The only response by government authorities has been to advise traders to disinfect cages. But disinfection alone can't stop bird flu. Bird markets are located in crowded areas in Jakarta. People living around the markets may become the innocent victims of this serious neglect.
The world is watching and waiting. The sooner Pramuka bird market closes its doors, the better for all of us -- people and animals alike.
Now is the time to take real action. One strike...two results!
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20070216.F08&irec=7
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]