Stop transfer of Myanmar elephants to Japanese zoo, says Asia for Animals

(Featured image: Hanako, a wild-caught elephant at the Maruyama Zoo who passed away in 2007, at age 60. Credit saname777, CC BY 2.0)

Letter addressed to:

Mr. Katsuhiro Akimoto
Mayor of Sapporo City
Kita 1 Nishi 2,
Chuo-ku,
Sapporo 060-8611
Japan

October 2016

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Dear Mayor Akimoto,

We are writing on behalf of the Asia for Animals coalition, representing international organisations with extensive knowledge of animal welfare issues, to voice our concerns surrounding the planned importation of four Asian elephants from Myanmar to Maruyama Zoo.

These elephants are currently living within an unrestricted environment in Myanmar where they have access to both captive and wild elephants in which they can interact and socialize. They also have access to natural forested areas where they are able to find their own food sources. Removing them from such unrestrictive conditions and placing them within the confines of Maruyama zoo will have serious consequences for their individual welfare.

There are grave concerns regarding whether Maruyama Zoo has the resources, expertise or facilities to provide adequate care for these elephants. It has been brought to our attention that the zoo plans to build a new facility to house the elephants, measuring just 2000 m² (indoors) and 3000 m² (outdoors). As you are aware, elephants are wide ranging species with complex behavioral and psychological needs and the size of the facility alone is wholly inadequate at managing these needs. In addition, there are concerns that the cold winter climate in Sapporo, with the average mean temperature falling below freezing for four months per year, could further worsen the welfare of these elephants.

Furthermore, there are grave concerns regarding the impact an international relocation could have on the highly endangered Asian elephants’ welfare. The international travel would result in an enormous amount of stress which could have serious and lasting repercussions on their physical and psychological well-being. There are many well-documented cases of elephants dying during overseas transportation due to physical and psychological trauma.

We thereby respectfully urge you – on the grounds of animal welfare – to intervene, and kindly request your consideration to revoke the permission to import the four elephants to ensure they remain within their country of origin.

Sent on behalf of the following organisations:

1. Animal Guardians
2. Animal People
3. Animals Asia Foundation
4. ACRES
5. Blue Cross of India
6. Change for Animals Foundation
7. Earth Island Institute
8. Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations
9. Humane Society International
10. International Animal Rescue
11. International Fund for Animal Welfare
12. Philippine Animal Welfare Society
13. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
14. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hong Kong
15. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Sarawak, Malaysia
16. World Animal Protection

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Copied to:

State Chancellor Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi
State Counselor of Myanmar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Office No.9
Nay Pyi Taw
Myanmar

Koichi Yamamoto
Minister of the Environment,
Godochosha No.5
Kasumigaseki 1-2-2
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo
Japan

Hiroshige Seko
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
TOKYO 100-8901
Japan

CITES Management Authority
Office of Trade Licensing for Wild Animals and Plants
Trade Control Department
Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
TOKYO 100-8901
Japan

CITES Scientific Authority
Wildlife Division
Ministry of the Environment
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
TOKYO 100-8975
Japan

Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw (DG-FD)
Director General
CITES Management Authority
Forest Department
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC)
Office N° 39,
NAY PYI TAW
Myanmar
dg.fd@mptmail.net.mm
nnkforest@gmail.com

U Win Naing Thaw
Director
CITES Scientific Authority
Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC)
Forest Department
Building N°. 39
NAY PYI TAW
Myanmar
nwcdfdmof@gmail.com
nwcd.fd@moecaf.gov.mm

Director
Osamu Kato
Maruyama Zoo
Hokkaido Prefecture 064-0959
Sapporo
Japan

Kazutoshi Arai
Chair
Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Vella Heights Okachimachi 402
4-23-10 Taito
Taito-ku
Tokyo 110-8567
Japan

Gerald Dick
Executive Director
WAZA Executive Office
IUCN Conservation Centre
Rue Mauverney 28
CH_1196 Gland
Switzerland

Supported by:

我们的呼吁同时得到了以下组织的支持：

1. “We Are One Family” Charity Association of Chongqing Normal University 重庆师范大学“天下一家”公益协会, CHINA
2. AAP Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals, NETHERLANDS
3. All Life In A Viable Environment, JAPAN
4. Andhra Pradesh Goshalala Federation, INDIA
5. Anima, MACAU
6. Animal Earth, HONG KONG
7. Animal Friends, CROATIA
8. Animal Friends Niigata, JAPAN
9. Animal Hero, USA
10. Animal Nepal   , NEPAL
11. Animal Projects & Environmental Education , MALAYSIA
12. Animal Protection Network, SWEDEN
13. Animal Rights Action Network, IRELAND
14. Animal Rights Centre Japan, JAPAN
15. Animal Rights Committee of Georgia, GEORGIA
16. Animal Sanctuary Trust, INDONESIA
17. Animals Australia, AUSTRALIA
18. ARK Animal Refuge Kansai Japan, JAPAN
19. Australia for Dolphins, AUSTRALIA
20. Australians for Animals, AUSTRALIA
21. Bali Animal Welfare Association, INDONESIA
22. Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS), INDONESIA
23. Beauty Without Cruelty, INDIA
24. Behavioural & Environmental Solutions, USA
25. Beijing Pet Adoption Day 北京领养日, CHINA
26. Beijing Sunflower Friends of Animal Team 北京市向日葵动物之友志愿者团队, CHINA
27. Bharatiya Prani Mitra Sangh, Hyderabad, INDIA
28. Big Heart Foundation, RUSSIA
29. Blue Cross of Hyderabad, INDIA
30. Blue Cross Youth Seva Sangham – Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
31. British Hen Welfare Trust, UK
32. Captive Animal Protection Society, UK
33. CARA Wildlife Philippines, PHILIPPINES
34. Cat Welfare Society, SINGAPORE
35. Causes for Animals Ltd, SINGAPORE
36. Cee4life, AUSTRALIA
37. Centre for Orangutan Protection, INDONESIA
38. Changchun 3.10 Shanxiao Fund 长春3.10善小基金, CHINA
39. Changsha Small Animal Protection Association 长沙市小动物保护协会 , CHINA
40. Chengde Cat Forest 承德猫咪森林流浪猫救助团队, CHINA
41. Chengdu Home of Love Small Animal Rescue Center 成都市双流县爱之家动物救助中心, CHINA
42. China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, CHINA
43. China Farm Animal Protection Coalition中国农场动物保护联盟, CHINA
44. China Journalists Salon for Animal Protection中国动物保护记者沙龙, CHINA
45. China Youth Animal Protection Alliance 中国青年动物保护联盟, CHINA
46. China Zoo Watch, CHINA
47. Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, Bangalore, INDIA
48. Compassion Works International, USA
49. CPR Environmental Education Centre, INDIA
50. Dalian VSHINE Protection of Animals SPCA大连市微善爱护动物协会, CHINA
51. Darjeeling Animal Shelter, INDIA
52. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, UK
53. Djurens Ratt (Animals Right Sweden), SWEDEN
54. Djurskyddet Sverige (Animal Welfare Sweden), SWEDEN
55. Dobro Surtse, BULGARIA
56. DOGSTOP, HONG KONG
57. Dzivnieku Draugs, LATVIA
58. Egyptian Society of Animal Friends, EGYPT
59. Elemotion Foundation,
60. Elephant Aid International, USA
61. Elephant Asia Rescue & Survival Foundation, HONG KONG
62. Elephant Care International, USA
63. Elephants DC, USA
64. ElephantVoices, KENYA
65. Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali – Onlus, ITALY
66. Environment Films, UK
67. European Animal Protection Foundation / Europaeische Tierschutzstiftung, SWITZERLAND
68. FAADA, SPAIN
69. Fanciers Nanning Stray Cats 南宁流浪猫论坛, CHINA
70. Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Organisations (SEY), FINLAND
71. Four Paws (UK), UK
72. Four Paws International, INTERNATIONAL
73. Friends of Asian Elephant – Asian Conservation Alliance, THAILAND
74. Friends of the Earth Malaysia, MALAYSIA
75. Fuzhou Aixinyuan Stray Animal Rescue Center 福州爱心缘流浪动物救助中心, CHINA
76. Fuzhou Small Animal Protection Center  福州小动物保护中心, CHINA
77. GAIA (Voice of the Voiceless), BELGIUM
78. Gansu Green Volunteer Home 甘肃绿色志愿者之家, CHINA
79. GREY2K USA Worldwide, USA
80. Greyhound Compassion, UK
81. Guangdong the Best Volunteer Center首善广东志愿者中心, CHINA
82. Guangyuan Bo’ai Animal Protection Center 广元市博爱动物保护中心, CHINA
83. Guangzhou Cat -Xi Xi Forest 熙熙森林广州猫, CHINA
84. Hefei Kennel Association Care Center合肥犬业协会小动物关怀中心, CHINA
85. Help Animals India, INDIA
86. Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust, UK
87. HK Dolphin Conservation Society, HK
88. Huhhot Angel Guardian呼和浩特天使守护动物保护公益团队,
89. Iceland Animal Welfare Foundation, ICELAND
90. In Defence of Animals, India, INDIA
91. International Anti-Fur Coalition, ISRAEL
92. International Otter Survival Fund, UK
93. International Primate Protection League, INTERNATIONAL
94. Jakarta Animal Aid, INDONESIA
95. Japan Anti-Vivisection Association, JAPAN
96. JBF India Trust, INDIA
97. Jinan Cattery济南猫窝, CHINA
98. Karuna Society for Animals & Nature, INDIA
99. Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre, NEPAL
100. Korea Animal Rights Advocate, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
101. Korean Animal Protection , KOREA
102. Korean Animal Welfare Association, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
103. Lanta Animal Welfare, HONG KONG
104. Lanzhou Street Animal Rescue Station 兰州流浪动物救助站, CHINA
105. Life Conservationist Association, TAIWAN
106. Lifelong Animal Protection, HONG KONG
107. Light of Life Veterinary Clinic, SINGAPORE
108. Love Wildlife Foundation, THAILAND
109. Lucky Cats幸运土猫志愿者团体, CHINA
110. Marine Connection, UK
111. MelbournDolphin, AUSTRALIA
112. moonbears.org, KOREA
113. Nanchang Small Animal Protection Association 南昌小动物保护协会, CHINA
114. Nanjing Ping An A Fu Stray Animal Rescue Association   南京平安阿福流浪动物救助会, CHINA
115. National Council of SPCAs, SOUTH AFRICA
116. Navale Consulting Group, INDIA
117. Nyclass, USA
118. OceanCare, SWITZERLAND
119. Orangutan Aid, HONG KONG
120. Orangutan Foundation, UK
121. Palawan Animal Welfare Association, PHILIPINNES
122. Patrick George, UK
123. PAWS & THANE SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), INDIA
124. People For Animals – Chennai, INDIA
125. People For Animals – Hooghly, INDIA
126. Performing Animal Welfare Society, USA
127. Pet Orphans Home汪汪喵呜孤儿院, CHINA
128. PETA Asia 亚洲善待动物组织, HONG KONG
129. Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society, CAMBODIA
130. Plant & Animal Welfare Society, INDIA
131. ProWildlife e.V., GERMANY
132. Qingdao Society for the Protection of Animals 青岛爱护动物协会, CHINA
133. RAKSHA – Voice of the Voiceless, INDIA
134. Rattle the Cage Productions, THAILAND
135. Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hong Kong, HONG KONG
136. RSPCA Victoria, AUSTRALIA
137. Sahabat Alam (Friends of the Earth) Malaysia, MALAYSIA
138. Sahayog Organisation, Andhra Pradesh Goshalala Federation, Hyderabad, INDIA
139. SAI (Save Animals Initiative) Sanctuary Trust, INDIA
140. Scorpion Foundation, INDONESIA
141. Shandong Yantai Caring Street Animals Rescue Shelter 山东省烟台市爱心流浪动物救助收容中心, CHINA
142. Sichuan Qiming Companion Animal Protection Center四川省启明小动物保护中心, CHINA
143. SJZ One Meter More Love stray cats rescue group石家庄一米爱流浪猫救助团队, CHINA
144. Society for Animal Welfare and Management, NEPAL
145. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Penang, PENANG
146. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Singapore, SINGAPORE
147. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Xiangzhou, Zhuhai) 珠海市香洲区爱护动物协会, CHINA
148. Soi Dog Foundation, THAILAND
149. Stray Relief and Animal Welfare, INDIA
150. Sun Bear Centre – Kalimantan, INDONESIA
151. Swiss Animal Protection SAP / Schweizer Tierschutz STS / Protection Suisse des Animaux PSA , SWITZERLAND
152. Taiwan SPCA台灣防止虐待動物協會, TAIWAN
153. Thai Fund for Elephant Foundation, THAILAND
154. THANE Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, INDIA
155. The Cattitude Trust – Chennai, INDIA
156. The Corbett Foundation, INDIA
157. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, KENYA
158. THE ELEPHANT RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION FUND,
159. The Fur Undergound, ISRAEL
160. The Home of Love (The Salvation Centre of Animals), CHINA
161. The Humane Education Trust, SOUTH AFRICA
162. The Kerulos Centre, USA
163. The Welfare of Stray Dogs – Mumbai, INDIA
164. The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, AUSTRALIA
165. Tianjin Common Home中国天津共同家园, CHINA
166. Together for Animals in China 与牠同行动物福利促进协会, CHINA
167. United Against Elephant Polo, INDIA
168. Vietnam Animal Aid and Rescue, VIETNAM
169. Voice for Zoo Animals, JAPAN
170. Wild Futures, UK
171. Wildlife Alliance, CAMBODIA
172. Wildlife in Need (and Active Environments), PHILIPPINES
173. Wildlife Protection Society of India, INDIA
174. Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, Bangalore, INDIA
175. Wolf Watch UK, UK
176. Working for Animals , AUSTRALIA
177. World Horse Welfare, UK
178. Wuhan Small Animal Protection Association武汉市小动物保护协会, CHINA
179. Xi’an Grenadine Companion Animal Rescue Center 西安红石榴伴侣动物救助中心, CHINA
180. Xiamen Animal Protection Education Association厦门爱护动物教育专业委员会, CHINA
181. Xiamen Pet Web 厦门宠物网, CHINA
182. Xinjiang Karamay City Street Animal Protection Centre 新疆克拉玛依市流浪动物保护中心, CHINA
183. Yangon Animal Shelter, MYANMAR-BURMA
184. YeuDongVat, VIETNAM
185. Zhangzhou Small Animal Scientifically Rescue Center 漳州市小动物科学养护救助中心, CHINA
186. Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, ZIMBABWE
187. Zoocheck Canada, CANADA