Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Melbourne Zoo rejects palm oil executive’s claim of orangutan distress

Melbourne Zoo rejects palm oil executive’s claim of orangutan distress
August 3, 2011

Melbourne Zoo has rejected claims from a senior Malaysian palm oil industry executive of animal neglect in its orangutan exhibit, saying it is an attempt to divert attention from the environmental damage caused by oil palm plantations.

The head of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Dr Yusof Basiron, visited Melbourne last week, and went to Melbourne Zoo's orangutan exhibit while in the city.

The Zoo is running a campaign which links palm oil production to the destruction of South East Asian rainforests. There are signs outside the orang-utan display explaining the campaign.

Melbourne newspaper The Age reported that after his visit, Dr Basiron told Malaysia's national news agency Bernama that he was "appalled" at the living conditions of the orangutans, which were exposed in Melbourne's winter cold.

Dr Basiron said that the orangutans "were shivering and making noises, which I recognise(d) as distress calls."

Earlier, Dr Basiron had said that the posters displayed at the Zoo "were found to be offensive by a visiting Malaysian tourism minister as they contained insinuations which do not reflect the true situation of how orangutans have long been cared (for) here in Malaysia."

Melbourne Zoo Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science, Rachel Lowry, said it was not true the orangutans were treated badly at the Zoo, and that their exhibit featured an integrated heating system.

Lowry suggested that the allegations had little to do with the conditions Melbourne's orangutans were kept in and that Dr Basiron's comments were "to divert attention from what orangutans are facing in the wild."


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Riedel Communications Australia Pty Ltd

We live for media production and global events, providing real-time networks for video, audio, data and communications.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Venues

 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

HIDROPLAY

Hidroplay welcomes you to the exciting world of children's Playscapes, waterslide's and Water Attractions. Appealing to families, Hidroplay increases patronage in your facility during those…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation

 
 

LIFE FLOOR (Aus & NZ)

Our team believes floors should be beautiful, comfortable, and engineered for safety, even when wet. Life Floor tiles meet six unique performance based standards: slip-resistance, impact absorption,…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation / Safety / Surfaces

 
 

SportEng

ABOUT SPORTENG specialises in the Planning, Design and Construction inspection of Fields of Play for all sports. Blending engineering with the specialist knowledge gained from working closely with…

read more

Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

ICP

ICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…

read more

Attractions / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

@leisure Planners

@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…

read more

Consultants

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business