Letter from Mariann Maes, Today Online 30 Aug 08;
I REFER to the report “Plea to set them free” (Aug 29).
The upcoming Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) has decided to include whale sharks as one of the attractions for its Marine Life Park.
It is very disturbing to see RWS ignoring expert advice from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, the Singapore Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Nature Society of Singapore.
The first two groups are usually incorrectly dismissed as activist groups, but surely the mention of the Nature Society should provide substantial credibility, given that it has given expert advice on wildlife several times to government bodies about their projects.
I do applaud RWS’ initial move to remove sharks’ fins off their menu, but I’m afraid that this act of corporate responsibility will be tainted by the mixed signals it sends to the public with live whale sharks in its possession.
RWS’ act of denial also tarnishes the image of Singapore as a city-state that cares for the environment.
There is no point in Singapore being advocated as a green global hub if it chooses to ignore the plight of flora and fauna in its care.
