NIGHT SAFARI
Plodprasopdenies animal deaths at zoo
CHEEWIN SATTHA
Chiang Mai Night Safari Park director Plodprasop Suraswadi angrily denied reports that over 100 wild animals at the zoo have died, saying there were only a few deaths, mostly birds.
''Most of the dead creatures are birds which underwent surgery to cut their wing tips to prevent them from escaping. But unfortunately the birds suffered severe bleeding and died,
''Other large animals which died at the Night Safari included a hyena, which died after being hit by another animal in the zoo
Mr Plodprasop was responding to the recent disclosure of a confidential report by Nikhom Phuttha, of the Wildlife Fund Thailand, saying that many species of wild animals at the park had fallen ill and died due to mishandling by the zoo's staff and poor management of the zoo.
Mr Nikhom claimed the report was produced by a zoo staff member who could no longer endure seeing wild animals being raised in such poor conditions and taken care of by inexperienced vets.
According to the report, more than 60 rare birds died after the zoo's vets cut off their wing tips. Other animals, such as deer, emu and wildebeest died as a result of transportation, unhygienic and poor conditions of animal cages and mistreatment by unskilled vets.
Mr Plodprasop said the report was groundless. He criticised opponents of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for spreading rumours about the ''massive'' animal deaths to discredit the Night Safari Park.
Mr Plodprasop said leaflets had been distributed in Chiang Mai, urging people not to visit the park, which was one of Mr Thaksin's flagship projects in the premier's home province.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/14Mar2006_news09.php
Plodprasopdenies animal deaths at zoo
CHEEWIN SATTHA
Chiang Mai Night Safari Park director Plodprasop Suraswadi angrily denied reports that over 100 wild animals at the zoo have died, saying there were only a few deaths, mostly birds.
Mr Plodprasop said it was untrue many wild animals had fallen ill and died at the zoo, but admitted some had died, common at a newly-established zoo.Right, there were only 99
''Most of the dead creatures are birds which underwent surgery to cut their wing tips to prevent them from escaping. But unfortunately the birds suffered severe bleeding and died,
'' said Mr Plodprasop.Funny how much blood comes out of those silly wingtips. And after the first 10, we just decided to keep going and going. Eventually the vet was going to get it right if we had to kill every bird.
''Other large animals which died at the Night Safari included a hyena, which died after being hit by another animal in the zoo
, a female giraffe and its new-born babyI wonder if they got the license plate of the hippo?
. That's all,'' he said.
Mr Plodprasop was responding to the recent disclosure of a confidential report by Nikhom Phuttha, of the Wildlife Fund Thailand, saying that many species of wild animals at the park had fallen ill and died due to mishandling by the zoo's staff and poor management of the zoo.
Mr Nikhom claimed the report was produced by a zoo staff member who could no longer endure seeing wild animals being raised in such poor conditions and taken care of by inexperienced vets.
According to the report, more than 60 rare birds died after the zoo's vets cut off their wing tips. Other animals, such as deer, emu and wildebeest died as a result of transportation, unhygienic and poor conditions of animal cages and mistreatment by unskilled vets.
Mr Plodprasop said the report was groundless. He criticised opponents of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for spreading rumours about the ''massive'' animal deaths to discredit the Night Safari Park.
Mr Plodprasop said leaflets had been distributed in Chiang Mai, urging people not to visit the park, which was one of Mr Thaksin's flagship projects in the premier's home province.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/14Mar2006_news09.php