Public urged not to release animals into the wild on Vesak Day

Zaki Amrullah, Channel NewsAsia 7 May 09;

SINGAPORE : The National Parks Board and national water agency PUB have appealed to the public not to release animals into nature reserves and reservoirs, as such acts may have adverse effects on the ecological balance of Singapore's nature reserves and parks.

They will also affect the water quality of Singapore's reservoirs. The joint statement comes as Vesak Day approaches.

It is a common practice in Singapore to release animals during Vesak Day, which falls on May 9.

The President of the Buddhist Fellowship, Angie Monksfield, said there is a difference between Buddhism and kindness towards animals.

"Being kind to animals is one of the core practices in Buddhism," she said. "However, freeing animals into the wild, especially those that have been bred in captivity, is not necessarily a kind act as these animals would be easy prey for predators."

The fellowship has taken efforts to remind the public against releasing the animals.

Its members, students and volunteers from all walks of life will be distributing brochures and putting up posters at various locations including MacRitchie Reservoir Park, and Lower and Upper Peirce reservoirs from May 9-10 and May 16-17. - CNA /ls

Don't free animals
Straits Times 8 May 09;

DO NOT free animals into nature reserves or reservoirs on Vesak Day, advises the National Parks Board and the PUB.

Customarily, Buddhists release birds, insects and other animals on this day. It is a symbolic act, representing the giving of freedom to those in captivity. But while being kind to animals is a core practice of Buddhism, freeing those bred in captivity is not necessarily a kind act as they would be easy prey for predators, said the president of Buddhist Fellowship, Ms Angie Monksfield. Instead, she urged Buddhists to refrain from eating meat and to adopt and care for animals from shelters, help injured animals and preserve their natural habitats.

More links

• Impact of releasing animals on the wildsingapore website
  
• Marine animal release, 7 simple questions you should ask on the Pulau Hantu blog.
• Vesak Day and "Animal Liberation" on our shores on the wild shores of singapore blog.
  
• Operation No Release on the Midnight Monkey Monitor blog with alternatives to consider.
• Vesak Day appeal: Don't abandon animals, adopt a pet or go vegetarian on Habitatnews 18 May 2005
• Animal Release Initiative 2005 email from Ashley, on wildsingapore
• Animal releases on Vesak Day 2004 on habitatnews
• Be kind to animals to mark Vesak Day. Remember what the Buddha teaches The Straits Times Forum Online 26 Apr 05