View:A cruel act of kindness to animals

Wednesday May 20, 2009

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) echoes the call by the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia, Venerable Reverend K. Sri Dhammaratana, against the cruel practice of releasing birds during Wesak. SAM shares the concern that such an act of "kindness" is actually perpetuating the trade and capture of these birds.

Despite an appeal of a similar nature in the past, the Buddhist fraternity remain oblivious to it as they continue with the traditional practice of releasing animals as a gesture of compassion and a repentance for one's sins.

Little do they know that their compassionate intentions are often lost in the act, resulting in unintentional cruelty to the animals because most of the birds brought from pet shops are caught days earlier and kept in cages for sale on Wesak day.

It is an illusion that by releasing these birds, they are returning them to their original habitat. When these released birds and animals are hungry, frightened and fatigued, they are unable to find shelter and food, resulting in their death. When released at crowded temples, they become absolutely disorientated and are unable to fly and fall prey to predators.

On the other hand, by buying animals from pet shops, people are actually encouraging the catching of more of these birds and animals. Birds from the wild often die when caught or during the journey to the shops. Since these are cheap birds, they are treated like dirt. There is no proper care, food or even water, and they are kept in overcrowded dirty cages, standing in their own excrement.

Similarly, non-native animals released into reservoirs will cause an ecological imbalance as in the case of the luohan or the red-eared slider, which prey on native species. Either they cannot survive in their new environment or they may affect the well-being of the original inhabitants.

The traditional practice needs to be reviewed, because it can result in suffering of the released animals due to ecological incompatibility. There is also the danger of introducing virus and bacteria from animal releases.

Compassion needs to be balanced with wisdom. One can "liberate" animals by adopting rescued pets from animal shelters instead of from pet shops, support animal welfare activities, advocating humane methods of animal control, caring for an injured bird or fishes trapped in ponds and so forth.

SAM reiterates its stand that the practice should be stopped. NGOs and religious institutions should play a part in educating the public to help animals by not releasing them into reservoirs, nature reserves and during religious festivities.

S.M. MOHD IDRIS,

President, SAM.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinion 20 May 2009