Activists, zoo polarised over enclosure

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Activists, zoo polarised over enclosure

OPPONENTS SAY COLD WEATHER ANIMALS WOULD BE 'STRESSED' BY MOVE TO CHIANG MAI

Published: 24/04/2011 at 02:22 AM
Newspaper section: News

CHIANG MAI : Chiang Mai Zoo will go ahead with its controversial Polar World project despite fierce opposition from animal rights activists.

POLAR EXPRESS: The 71 million baht polar bear dome at Chiang Mai Zoo is now 30% completed.

Zoo director Tanapattara Pongpamorn said yesterday the project was worth the investment and strictly adheres to international animal welfare guidelines.

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: Writer: Apinya Wipatayotin; Position: Reporter

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dao
Post : 2,112
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Discussion 6 : 24/04/2011 at 07:26 PM6
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What a totally selfish stupid idea .Is this polar bear supposed to live in a refrigerator its whole life so some selfish person can say I have a polar bear .This bear will be the more miserable than the elephants that beg on the street .
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faceless1
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Discussion 5 : 24/04/2011 at 03:40 PM5
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Am totally opposed to the idea but money talks loudest here. Singapore Zoo managed to breed a cub in 1990 with their facilities (large pool, large aircon area, cubbing area) so I presume Thais will follow that blueprint. Obviously this is all about revenue, not conservation. Unless there are bear cubs there will not be the essential cuteness (naa rak) factor to attract Thai customers. Pandas are seen to be cute in general but adult polar bears can be rather frightening. Better import a female and two cubs and start an aggressive advertising campaign.
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tomb
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Discussion 4 : 24/04/2011 at 01:39 PM4
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"Veterinarian Kannikar Nimtragul ... said the project is part of an attempt to save the species from extinction ...."

How to save these arctic bears? By moving them to the tropics. TOTFLMAO
This man can't be a real vet. Maybe he bought his degree as well as the polar bear.
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bop
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Discussion 3 : 24/04/2011 at 09:58 AM3
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What about the 2 polar bears in the "outdoor open air" pen at Bangkok's Safari World? When I saw these bears suffering in the heat of Bangkok it brought tears to me. Ok the keepers do give them blocks of ice to play with. Then there are the Canadian Black Bears too that suffer in the open air pen. How about that honey bear that always sits at the entrance of the pen when first drive in rocking his head back and forth none stop. He's severely brain damaged beyond help now I would say.

I wont even mention the Dusit Zoo pathetic state.

Maybe they can all join their buddies in the cool climate controlled pen in Chaing Mai.
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drsmith
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Discussion 2 : 24/04/2011 at 08:51 AM2
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Another anything for money story. It is sick to see how far Thailand has digressed to where making money is more important than any other concern in the world. The Polar Bears at Safari World do not look very happy to me after numerous visits. They need cold. The zoo director needs to be removed and replaced with someone with a genuine concern for animal welfare. Happy, well cared for animals is what brings the customers back.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 1 : 24/04/2011 at 08:51 AM1
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Until there are sufficient numbers of qualified veterinarians and zoologists working for the welfare of all animals in Thai zoos, there should be no more commodification of exotic and inapporpriately placed animals in Thai zoos.
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Activists, zoo polarised over enclosure | Bangkok Post: news