JUNE 4 — Sunway Lagoon claiming “Our white lions are not being exploited” misses the point, actually, many points.
First and foremost what is Sunway Lagoon? An amusement park or zoo?
It’s not possible to be both, with integrity.
The while lions of Timbaviti are a freak of nature. I recall when they were first discovered in Africa. Zoos like to have them because of their novelty factor; there is no other credible explanation.
The only reason why this establishment imported white lions as opposed to normal ones is because they hope these lions will draw in more visitors to their amusement park. In other words, the lions are there for visitors ‘amusement’ and it has nothing to do with either conservation or education.
Rather like Zoo Negara bringing in Giant pandas; there is no logical reason for either being kept in a Malaysian zoo or amusement parks, is there?
These animals are what’s known in the zoo industry as ‘trophy animals’, kept solely as a bit of one-upmanship to show off and attract more visitors. It’s all about money and showmanship — much like bug game hunters shooting lions and then having their heads stuffed to hang on their office wall to show off to and try to impress friends.
For any zoo in Malaysia to be credible and respected, it first and foremost needs to be a zoo or dedicated wildlife park. It also needs a Mission Statement clearly stating what its objectives are; for example, helping save Malaysia’s remaining wildlife.
Even in zoos, wild animals naturally want to sleep when it’s dark.
How on earth can they do this at Sunway Lagoon with all its loud music blaring all over the park at night-time? How would you like it if you were trying to sleep and some insensitive people carried on partying loudly on a frequent basis? We suggest placing some Perhilitan senior management in cages overnight at this ‘park’ to see if the music disturbs their sleep.
We have been telling Malaysian zoo owners and Perhilitan for a very long time, they need to focus on Malaysia’s dwindling wildlife, conservation and educating the public.
The Malaysian public don’t need to see white lions or Giant pandas caged, do they?
In general, we see one or two zoos beginning to make changes but others, like Perhilitan, continue to drag
their feet while making endless excuses. The Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 is five years old and Perhilitan still can’t motivate themselves towards enforcing it, preferring instead to let animals suffer all over Malaysia. Senior management are as behind the times as most zoos are; zoos will work to the lowest and cheapest possible standard because they know they can get away with.
It’s a great shame that despite all that has been critically said over the years about Malaysian zoos and ‘wildlife parks’, most still resist change. Well, they would wouldn’t they, when Perhilitan continue to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to all the suffering that happens every day while they sit around, smoke and drink coffee.
Sean Whyte and Jennifer Yeap, Nature Alert, Malaysian Friends of the Animals
*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
