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The Australian Democrats call on the new Minister for Environment and Heritage Ian Campbell to stop Australian zoos from importing endangered Asian elephants from Thailand.
Democrats Leader Senator Andrew Bartlett says there are no adequate facilities in Australia for the accommodation and care of Asian elephants.
Senator Bartlett said, "These complex creatures form strong family bonds and, in the wild, range over large areas.
"This issue will serve as a good litmus test for the new Minister; he will have to fulfil Australias international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) treaty, and judge the likelihood of a successful captive breeding program for these animals."
Under CITES, these Appendix I-listed animals can only be traded when the primary purpose is not commercial; and removal of individuals from their native environment will not be detrimental to the species as a whole.
"Even RSPCA President, Dr Hugh Wirth, has claimed the importation is primarily about entertainment and economics, rather than conservation and education."
Senator Bartlett said, "Under Australias Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, zoos must prove they can adequately provide for behavioral and biological needs of the animals. Why do two of Australias major zoos believe theyre capable of providing such needs, when other zoos are abandoning such notions?
"Detroit Zoo recently closed its elephant exhibit believing that elephants needs simply could not be met in captive facilities; not just their facilities but any facilities."
"Elephant exhibits have the potential to raise tourist dollars but that is no reason to condemn these animals to shortened and captive lives. Global evidence clearly suggests that captive elephants die younger, are less likely to breed and develop substantial health problems.
"These facts must be in the forefront of the Ministers mind at the time of his decision. As should be the overwhelming evidence that Australia has never had a successful captive breeding of Asian elephants, despite the elephants presence in zoos and circuses since the early 1900s.
"The Democrats arent convinced that a self-sustaining Asian elephant population can be set up in Australia; we urge the Minister to refuse the zoos request for importation licenses," concluded Senator Bartlett. |
