Please don't release animals on Vesak Day

Creatures may find freeing process stressful; many can't survive on their own
Shuli Sudderuddin, Straits Times 9 May 10;

Freeing animals may do more harm than good.

That's why nature lovers are gearing up to address the issue of animals being released on Vesak Day.

Turtles, fish and birds are usually freed at temples, reservoirs, ponds, parks and beaches as a symbolic gesture of compassion.

Vesak Day, which falls on May 28 this year, celebrates Buddha's birth and his enlightenment.

It is illegal to release animals into Singapore's parks.

The National Parks Board (NParks) estimated in 2007 that nine out of 10 released animals died within the day.

Ms Ria Tan, who runs nature website WildSingapore, said the process of release could be stressful to the animals.

Many may be weak or dead upon release, and the exhausted animals may eventually perish.

On working as a volunteer with NParks this year, Ms Tan said: 'It's my first time in a long time. We'll be staking out regular points where people release animals and will speak with them to try to discourage them not to do it.'

Over at nature group Nature Trekker Singapore, its founder Ben Lee said he has been roping in volunteers for the past six years.

This year, 40 to 60 people will be mobilised.

Ten groups will be stationed at various hot spots like ponds and reservoirs to discourage folks from releasing, for example, the exotic red-eared slider, a terrapin, or the giant snakehead, a fish.

'Exotic wild animals may not be able to survive on their own, and even if they do, they will become a threat to our native wild animals due to competition for food,' he said.

Mr Lee added, however, that over the years he has seen fewer people releasing animals.

Pet shops noted that there has been a decline in the number of people buying animals for release on Vesak Day.

Mr Allan Tan, 51, owner of Kaki Bukit Bird Shop, attributed the lower demand to rising cost.

Ten years ago, a sparrow cost about $1.60. Today, the bill can be up to $7.

Mr Lee Seng Shun, 30, who works at Due Feng Birds & Pets Trading Enterprises in Serangoon North, said that five years ago, about 30 people would buy sparrows before Vesak Day.

Now, only about 20 do so.

'If they tell me they're buying to release them, I won't sell and will tell the customers it's not right to do so,' he said.

Similarly, Ms Angie Chew, a spokesman for the Buddhist Fellowship, said devotees are not encouraged to release animals into parks as it may harm the ecosystem.

'Instead, we will spend Vesak Day cultivating love and peace within ourselves and in the community,' she added.

An NParks spokesman said it is working with volunteers and nature groups on programmes to discourage the release of animals.

shulis@sph.com.sg

Keen to volunteer with NParks? Contact it at nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg

See also Help stop cruel "Animal Liberation" - volunteers needed
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