World Animal Day (Oct. 3, 2010) Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) march a success

[Nicholas Snow]

On World Animal Day, 3 October 2010, a march and rally was held in which activists from all of Indonesia gathered to take a stand for animal rights, calling for an end to animal trade and smuggling in Indonesia. As organizers explained, a primary ongoing goal is "to alert people to the suffering of animals sold in the animal markets daily, and those that are suffering at the hands of cruel entertainment."

Punctuating the need for the group's efforts is a story published in the Jakarta Post (8 October 2010) headlined, "Internal row, poor enclosure blamed for deaths of animals."

The story reports, "Internal bickering has been blamed for a flurry of deaths at East Java’s Surabaya zoo, with 20 animals, including a rare Sumatran tiger and 13 young Komodo dragons, dying between June and August this year. The latest casualty was only the tip of the iceberg. Last year, 327 animals died, and 362 more died in 2008 at the zoo, which has been praised for having the most complete collection in Southeast Asia. It is home to 4,200 animals from 315 species.

Most of the deaths were said to result from different illnesses such as pneumonia, enteritis and malnutrition, as well as poor conditions inside the zoo. The zoo’s acting head Tony Sumampouw said the zoo was established on Aug. 31 in 1916 by a group of animal-loving Dutch residents in Surabaya. It was named Soerabaiasche Planten-en Dierentuin, or Surabaya Zoo and Botanical Garden."

As explained on their official Facebook page, "Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in January 2008 to help protect Indonesian wildlife and to improve the welfare of Jakarta’s domestic animals. JAAN serves as an information center and a central meeting point for volunteers interested in animal welfare issues. JAAN enlists the help of individuals and Indonesian authorities to rescue animals from exploitation and to decrease the trade in endangered wildlife."

The page continues, "We aim to raise awareness of animal welfare issues by providing educational materials and presentations in and around Jakarta. JAAN supports the Brahminy Kite Rescue and Re-introduction Program. This program was established in November 2004 within the Thousand Islands in collaboration with the Thousand Islands National Marine Park, Tirta Satwa, Alam Kotok Resort and Forestry Departement. The program is aimed at saving the Brahminy Kite (Elang Bondol)which once was the proud symbol of Jakarta but is now critically endangered due to the illegal pet trade."

World Animal Day (as explained at WorldAnimalDay.org.uk) is "a special opportunity for anyone who love animals." Their mission is to 1) celebrate animal life in all its forms; 2) celebrate humankind's relationship with the animal kingdom; 3) acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives - from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives; and 4) to acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives."

The web site further explains that "World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries throughout the world. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

It is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology.

Launched in the UK on 4 October 2003, organizations, groups, animal shelters, places of worship, schools, clubs and individuals participated in what was to become an annual event and, quite simply, helped make history!

Since the official World Animal Day website was launched in 2003, the number of World Animal Day events taking place throughout the world has increased year upon year and with your help we can ensure the trend continues."

JAAN, with their mission statement, "believes that no wild animal should have to live in captivity and works to help stop the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia. JAAN fully supports Indonesia’s commitment to enforcing National Law No. 5 (1990) that prohibits the trade in protected wildlife and encourages Indonesia to enact laws that would protect all wild animals.JAAN is committed to improving the lives of stray cats and dogs in Jakarta through promoting sterilization programs and through educating people on ethical treatment of companion animals. JAAN encourages active community support and involvement in improving animal welfare in Indonesia."

JAAN Official Web Site:

JakartaAnimalAid.com

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