Veterinarian, animal enthusiast in a nutshell. All else follows. Click to see author's profile.
People and the public need to be educated of the dangers and outcomes of keeping primates as pets. Where did they come from? How did they end up in the pet shop? Once they are a grown adult, will you still be able and willing to take care of them?
Charisha Florence Fraser reflects on her experiences during an internship with Indonesia’s Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP).
Have you ever seen the rays of the sun seep through the cracks of the trees and their leaves in a forest? That was who she was, a ray of hope through the challenges placed before me. Who was she? A horse used in the name of ‘science’, but rejected once she became ‘useless’. Broken, hurt and lost.
I picked up the cat, now named Bells, and told her that we would fix her. She looked at me with those sad eyes and did not retaliate when I placed her into the pet carrier. Who on earth would do such a thing to a cat? Yes you had the guts, but how in the world does one manage to have the heart?
Walking down the aisle of the kennels I realized that my feet were walking towards your enclosure. There you were, sitting all by yourself staring at me. I came in and sat with you. I knew that we would be friends that instant. Your beautiful long coat with that long muzzle. Those brown eyes that spoke a thousand words.
Just me hunting for shots with my camera while the whole family walked ahead of me. I paused for every movement made by the macaques.