Free the Travelling Circus Dolphins of Indonesia

Indonesia is home to the world’s last remaining travelling dolphin circuses. Over 72 dolphins are kept in the most appalling of conditions to perform for audiences across the island of Java.

The animals are frequently hauled out of their plastic pools and loaded into trucks along with other animals as the circuses move from town to town. Many of the dolphins die due to stress and lack of proper care during transportation.

Three companies still run travelling dolphin shows on the main island of Java: Wersut Seguni Indonesia (WSI), Taman Safari Indonesia and Ancol.

JAAN – Jakarta Animal Aid Network has been campaigning against WSI for almost 2 years. They  travel with a number of protected animals and show owners have been claiming legal status by using a loop-hole in Ministry regulations. After extensive investigation JAAN has been able to prove WSI’s false claim over this status. The investigation also revealed that all of the dolphins have been caught illegally from the wild. Other animals kept in the circus are baby sun-bears, small clawed otters, yellow crested cockatoos and an orang-utan.

The circus owners have repeatedly threatened the activists but to no avail. JAAN brought the evidence to the relevant authorities and was able to sign an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indonesian government permitting the rescue, rehabilitation and relocation of the dolphins and the rescue of the other animals. JAAN set up a seapen for the rehabilitation of the captive dolphins. Where possible the dolphins will be set free or at minimum live out their lives in stress free large semi-wild enclosures.

On the day of the planned raid operation government officials cancelled at the last moment and while more meetings have taken place since it is clear that the influential circus owners have pressured the very officials that are supposed to protect the animals from harm. Seven months after the agreement with the Indonesian government was signed, the animals are still used in the shows of WSI and no action has been taken by the authorities.

The Indonesian government is very sensitive to international pressure so JAAN is calling on people from around the world to add their voice to the campaign and help release these wild caught animals.

Please watch the videos, sign the petitions & send the letter (below) 

World’s last remaining travelling dolphin circuses in Indonesia from The Black Fish on Vimeo.

What you can do:-

• Join the facebook campaign page
• Write to the Indonesian ambassador of your country and Indonesian authority officials (see example letter and addresses below)
• Sign the following petitions:-
• http://www.change.org/petitions/indonesian-authority-officials-autoridades-de-indonesia-close-down-indonesian-dolphin-traveling-circus#
• http://3dayz.com/dolphin-travelshow-indonesia
• http://forcechange.com/15056/free-the-traveling-circus-dolphins-in-indonesia/#gf_1
• http://www.change.org/petitions/dolphins-don-t-belong-in-traveling-circus#share
• http://www.change.org/petitions/traveling-dolphin-show#share

Please write to the following to express your concern & disgrace about these travelling circuses.

Your local Indonesian Ambassador

European embassies: Belgium | France | Germany | United Kingdom

The following government officials in Indonesia:

Sekretaris Jenderal, Forestry Department
sekjen@dephut.go.id
boenm@dephut.go.id

Inspector General Forestry Department
irjen@dephut.go.id

Governor of Jakarta
bowof@jakarta.go.id

Director General Forestry Department
dirjenphka@dephut.go.id

Minister of Forestry Department
menhut@dephut.com

Please send a copy of all correspondence to jakartaanimalaid@gmail.com

(Use the example letter below or modify as you see fit)

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you out of concern for the well-being of protected animals used in travelling circuses in Indonesia. Especially the situation of the travelling dolphin circus Wersut Seguni Indonesia (WSI) deserves your attention.

WSI uses baby sunbears (Helarctos malayanus), yellow crested cockatoos (cacatua galerita), small clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea) and even dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in its shows. An orangutan, endangered and protected by Indonesian law, is also kept illegally on the premises of WSI in the Kendal province of central Java, in darkness and isolation.

The illegal trade in these animals is threatening the wild dolphin populations in Indonesian waters due to the upcoming industry of ‘swimming with dolphins’ programs and travel shows. For the travelling circuses the dolphins are transported by trucks to various cities throughout Indonesia. The stress of the circus performances and the frequent transportation has already resulted in a large number of dolphin deaths.

Research conducted (2009-2010-2011) by the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) proved that all animals kept at WSI were illegally caught from the wild, without any license. The capturing of dolphins from the wild obviously has a big negative impact on the wild populations. Since data on dolphin populations (numbers and species) are still lacking in Indonesia, we take this matter very seriously.

JAAN brought the evidence to the relevant authorities and was able to sign an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indonesian government permitting the rescue, rehabilitation and relocation of the dolphins and the rescue of the other animals.

JAAN has set up sea pens and a rehabilitation program for the 27 bottle-nose and stenella dolphins kept at WSI and this will become the first permanent facility in the world to rehabilitate and release dolphins back into the wild. Arrangements were also made for the animals to be confiscated and transported to the facility. The program ensures that where possible the dolphins will be set free or at minimum live out their lives in stress free large semi-wild enclosures.

Last month government officials cancelled the raid operation at the last moment without proper explanation and it has become clear that the influential circus owners have successfully persuaded the very officials that are supposed to protect the animals from harm. Seven months after the agreement with the Indonesian government was signed, the animals are still used in the shows of WSI and no action has been taken by the authorities.

Indonesia is the last country where dolphins are used in travelling shows and this is something which is condemned around the world. We would like to ask you to put this issue towards the relevant Indonesian authorities and ensure that animals kept illegally by WSI are re-located to an appropriate rehabilitation facility. We also request that you will put this case to the Indonesian government to ensure that Indonesian law and international regulations are upheld and that Indonesia can proudly show a leadership role in the protection of these endangered species.

Thank you for your attention and I look forward hearing from you regarding any possible action you are able to take on this issue.

Yours sincerely,

(Your name & country)

Link:-http://www.theblackfish.org/news/indonesia-dolphin-circuses.html

Link:–http://jakartaanimalaid.com/blog/programs/aid-for-dolphin/

To Presidente, Director: Rehabilitate and Release Kshamenk back to the Wild.

Please sign petition below:-

http://www.change.org/petitions/presidente-director-rehabilitate-and-release-kshamenk-back-to-the-wild#

 

Cruelty Behind the Mask of Jakarta’s Monkey – A Life Of Torture & Begging

” These innocent sentient beings are taught through violence & fear; nothing but cruelty. We have no right to take an animal & make it do our bidding; they are not our slaves. Much of the documentation I found was copyright; so I’m showing their video. I could not help myself from crying, seeing the pitiful little faces, being for want of a better word…tortured…learning how to beg for money. If you see this type of activity whilst on vacation, please report it as directed below! I have added as much information as I can”

Please sign and share this petition to tell governor Fauzi Bowo and the people in Jakarta this is wrong!:-http://www.theperfectworld.com/petitions/item/40-the-masked-monkeys-of-indonesia

Jakarta Animal Aid http://jakartaanimalaid.com/blog/2011/08/29/please-watch-this-video-of-the-topeng-monyet-cruelty-and-take-action/

Topeng Monyet is ILLEGAL NOW! 

Thanks to JAAN and JAAN supporters.
And the first DANCING MONKEY was legally confiscated on November 24, 2011. The end has started…
Read more about this great news in JAAN Newsletter.

IMPORTANT NOTE : 
If you are still seeing Topeng Monyet in action on the streets, being caged or being captured from the wild…please help to take the photo or video and email it to animalfriendsjogja@gmail.com (AFJ)
and cc to jakartaanimalaid@gmail.com (JAAN) with the note of  time and location the picture taken.
Thank you for your participation to help the animals in Indonesia.

Special Report: Cruelty Behind the Mask of Jakarta’s Monkey Circuses:-http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/special-report-cruelty-behind-the-mask-of-jakartas-monkey-circuses/432009

Topeng Monyet Monkeys Able to Pass TB, Other Diseases to People:-http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/health/topeng-monyet-monkeys-able-to-pass-tb-other-diseases-to-people/537038

If you are in the USA– please send an email of protest to the Ambassador at the Embassy of Indonesia www.embassyofindonesia.org – go to Contacts .

Or directly to dandy@embassyofindonesia.org

Other countries– Please send emails of protest to the Embassy of Indonesia in your country.

The Online petition is now closed so we need your emails to be sent to the Indonesian Embassies and Consulates around the world

Embassies of Indonesia:- http://www.indonesiapoint.com/indonesian-embassies.html

Support Us:-http://jakartaanimalaid.com/blog/support-us/

JAAN can not exist without generous donors like you. JAAN is a non-profit organization and relies solely on individual contributions to continue being Dedicated to Improving the Lives of Animals in Indonesia.

How you can help JAAN:

• DONATE TODAY!
• Become a Member of JAAN’s Support Team.
• You can also donate Supplies – see our List of Needs.
• Fostering/Adopting a stray Pet
• Sponsoring a JAAN Animal’s food and medical needs
• Become a JAAN Volunteer

“Remember the following disgusting post…the soldiers who tortured monkeys…well the link below states they have been dealt with!”

Soldiers Torture Monkeys: –https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/vietnamese-soldiers-held-over-deaths-of-rare-monkeys/

Vietnam Soldier ‘Sacked Over Monkey Torture:- –http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/vietnam-soldier-sacked-over-monkey-torture/534467

Bodies of 14 rare Sumatran tigers seized in Indonesia

 

JAKARTA — Indonesian police seized 14 preserved bodies of critically-endangered Sumatran tigers in a raid on a house near Jakarta, a spokesman said Thursday.

Sumatran tiger

A man identified as F.R. was arrested Tuesday in a suburban area of Depok suspected of his involvement in the illegal wildlife trade, national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar told Agence France-Presse.

“We confiscated whole preserved bodies of 14 tigers, a lion, three leopards, a clouded leopard, three bears and a tapir and a tiger head,” he said, adding that investigations were ongoing.

“We believe he is connected to a network of rare animal traders. But we have not established yet if the animals are for the domestic or international market,” he said.

The suspect could face up to five years’ jail and fines of 100 million rupiah ($11,000) for violating natural resources conservation laws.

Poachers often sell tiger body parts to the lucrative traditional Chinese medicine market.

There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. Several die each year as a result of traps, poaching or other human actions.

News Link:-http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/232105/bodies-of-14-rare-sumatran-tigers-seized-in-indonesia

Please sign this petition:-http://www.tigertime.info/bantigertrade.html

 

Sumatran Tiger Kills Plantation Worker in Indonesia

“You can’t blame wild animals for anything they do, when humans destroy their homes & food source. How many more animals & human lives will be taken before those in power say enough? It’s time to stop now, before human greed wipes out this magnificent species! 

A Sumatran tiger attacked and killed a palm oil plantation worker in Indonesia, a conservation official said Tuesday, underlining the growing problem of human-animal conflicts.

Animals including tigers and elephants are coming into closer contact with people in Indonesia as forests are destroyed for timber or to make way for crops such as palm oil.

A Sumatran tiger is pictured in its enclosure on June 18, 2012 at the zoo in Frankfurt, western Germany. An 18-year-old woman was killed by a Sumatran tiger at a palm oil plantation in Riau, Sumatra, on Tuesday

The 18-year-old female worker was killed Friday in the village of Indragiri Hulu, Riau, said provincial conservation agency chief Bambang Dahono Aji.

“Some of her co-workers were there when the tiger attacked the worker and tore her apart,” he said.

He added that about two weeks ago a Sumatran tiger was killed in the vicinity after getting snared in a trap villagers set to catch wild boars.

Estimates of the number of Sumatran tigers remaining in the world range from 300 to 400. Several die each year as a result of traps, poaching or other human actions.

News Link:-http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/sumatran-tiger-kills-plantation-worker-in-indonesia/531061

Please sign petition:–http://www.thepetitionsite.com/997/620/263/list-indochinese-tiger-as-critically-endangered/

“I found a perfect example of the above from WWF, a camera trap obviously put their for tigers. This was taken in 2010, I wonder how many more acres of tiger land has been taken since!”

Camera catches bulldozer destroying Sumatra tiger forest

Uploaded by WWF on 11 Oct 2010

A video camera trap clearly shows the impact of palm oil plantations on tigers in Sumatra. Shotlist: 0:15 Tiger on 5 May 2010 | 0:47 Bulldozer on 12 May 2010 | 1:20 Tiger on 13 May 2010. Learn more: http://wwf.panda.org/?195632/Take Action: http://wwf.panda.org/tigers/action

Take action here https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=655

Jakarta abattoir: ‘Better welfare, better returns’

It is a steamy 1am on the outskirts of Jakarta and Budiman Lukman’s abattoir is abuzz with activity.

In just a few hours time the city’s wet markets will open for business, and butchers have converged on the small plant in their dozens to buy fresh meat for the new day’s trade.

Ignatius Adiwira (left), a sales manager for Indonesia‘s largest cattle importer Santori, with Jakarta abattoir owner Budiman Lukman.

About 40 cattle will be slaughtered within the next three hours, and the meat will be transported in scores of small utility trucks to hang in butcher’s stalls at nearby markets.

More than 80pc of the beef consumed in Indonesia is sold this way, traded within a few hours of slaughter direct to household consumers or bakso ball (meatball) makers.

In a country with a hot climate and little refrigeration, the wet market system enables consumers to buy and cook meat while it is still fresh and before it has time to spoil.

It is an efficient supply system that has barely changed for thousands of years, apart from one very notable exception.

Whereas once Pak Budiman’s small abattoir killed in the traditional manner, it and more than 60 like it now operate in accordance with the Australian Government’s Export Supply Chain Assurance System so they can receive Australian cattle.

Cattle now move from lairage pens through shielded races into an enclosed restraint box, where they are stunned and then slaughtered with a single cut to the throat as per Halal requirements.

Every animal movement is recorded by a race mounted RFID reader and instantaneously logged on the trace-ability system of Santori, the largest importer of cattle to Indonesia. The process is clean, fast and efficient.

Cattle stand quietly in covered lairage pens with food and water at the rear of the plant. There is none of the vocalisation, agitation or distress that was captured in footage from Indonesian abattoirs by Animals Australia or ABC Four Corners 12 months ago.

Read the rest of this news:-http://www.beefcentral.com/p/news/article/1735

Too cute to live? Save the slow lorises

The little monkey with the big eyes is snatched from its mother. When they are young, they are even cuter and fetch a good price on the black market. The mum is killed by the poachers. She is of no use to them.

Illegal wildlife trade with slow lorises is flourishing. In their homeland Indonesia they are sold at roadsides or markets. Here, a slow loris costs about 25 dollars, via the internet they fetch a price of up to 2,500 dollars.

Due to their cute appearance more and more people like the idea of having a slow loris as a pet. The hype was stirred up by videos circulating in the internet. But this way they are loved to death.

Teeth pulled out brutally, many die

Despite their huge brown eyes and soft fur, slow lorises are in no way suitable as playmates. These small primates possess a rare trait among mammals: a toxic bite. On the inside of their arm a special gland produces a poison that protects them from predators. In the event of danger, they coat their teeth with this poison.

To make believe that they are suitable as pets, merchants use pliers to pinch off or pull out the slow lorises’ teeth. This can lead to harmful infections. Many slow lorises die before they are even sold.

Awareness is very important, especially in Indonesia. Please help to protect the lorises and write to the Indonesian authorities. Demand that they stop the illegal trade with slow lorises immediately! 

Start of campaign: May 29, 2012

Please sign the petition, click the link to help save these sentient beings:–https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/mailalert/875/too-cute-to-live-save-the-slow-lorises

Animals Australia – Indonesia same cruelty

Last year the Gillard government gave the live export industry a second chance that it didn’t deserve — and reopened the live cattle trade to Indonesia despite overwhelming calls from the community for the trade to be permanently banned.

We were promised that a new ‘regulatory framework’ would protect Australian cattle from ever again being abused in Indonesian abattoirs, but new footage from Indonesia reveals how hollow that promise was. Knowing that local abattoirs would be warned to be on the lookout for Australian animal cruelty investigators — Animals Australia engaged an Indonesian investigator to visit three abattoirs in Jakarta.

What he documented there over three nights has again shocked and appalled Australians and has conclusively proven that the new ‘system’ will in no way protect Australian cattle from cruelty on a nightly basis. Animals Australia has lodged an official complaint with the Gillard government highlighting that the evidence provided contains 61 different breaches of the basic standards expected from workers in abattoirs — including not checking that cattle were dead before they were being butchered.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

This further evidence again conclusively proves that Australia cannot ensure the well-being of exported animals in importing countries — especially where there are no laws to protect them from cruelty. It also reveals once again the immoral nature of Australia’s live exporters who continue to reap profits from animal cruelty.

Australians overwhelmingly want live export to end. The Gillard government is out of excuses — since they are unable to guarantee to the Australian community that exported animals will be treated humanely — this trade must end. Take action below:-

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/indonesia-new-evidence-2012

Please contact your local MP and convey that no amount of profit, excuses or justification can excuse continued government support of this industry.