SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) had warned and anticipated news of the costly upkeep of the pandas in Zoo Negara. In fact, it is to be expected considering that pandas are the most expensive animals in the world to keep.
Since pandas are the superstars of endangered species, charming gentle and vulnerable, a single animal can mean millions of visitor ringgit, raising a dwindling zoo revenue.
The question is whether this one species is worth all that money that can be better spent on our mega fauna — large animals such as elephants, tigers and rhinos — all staring extinction in the face.
Instead of spending money on keeping pandas, perhaps the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry can protect more species and use the fund to upgrade equipment, staffing and strategies in the fight against smugglers, who employ the latest technology to deceive officers.
Pandas are not a commodity to be traded for human amusement.
Panda conservation should focus on habitat protection, including reducing human demands and impacts on the system of panda reserves and protected areas.
Any in situ captive breeding should aim to put pandas back into the wild.
If indeed conservation is the goal, it does not make any sense to be shipping viable breeding animals to zoos around the world. It is high time to educate the public about the giant panda as a wild animal in danger of becoming extinct.
China should relook its panda policy. Their superstar pandas should be allowed to thrive, live and breed freely in their natural environment.
Once again SAM urges the government to tackle the burgeoning wildlife cybercrime and corruption, and strengthen protection on the ground.
S. M. MOHD IDRIS,
President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Penang
