ACRES Speech At The MOU Signing Ceremony Between Lao Zoo And ACRES

Speech by Mr. Louis Ng, Executive Director, ACRES

MOU Signing Ceremony

ACRES and Lao Zoo Establish First Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre in Vientiane, Lao PDR

28 March 2012

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vientiane, Lao PDR

�

Sabai dee. His Excellency Dr. Tongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao.

�

Mr. K Shanmugam, Singapore�s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law.

�

Mr. Dileep Nair, Singapore Ambassador to Lao.

�

Mr. Khanchai Kiasrithanakorn, President of Lao Zoo and New Chip Xeng Group, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman.

�

A very good morning and thank you for joining us at this MOU signing ceremony.

�

29 months ago, I came to Lao for the first time in my life. I was greeted by the warmth of the Laotian people, by how closely knit this community is and I truly enjoyed the experience. In Singapore terms, it was like experiencing the kampong spirit which is truly alive in Lao.

�

I have felt the warmth of the animals in Lao as well, who are as friendly as the Laotian people. But I also saw a side of Lao which left me concerned. I met bears in bear farms. I saw animals being sold in restaurants and markets.

�

And, 29 months ago, I met this bear in a bear farm. This bear who had lived 3 years in this cage, where she could hardly move and her bile was extracted from her daily which was a painful procedure. When I met her, she had not eaten for about 10 days.

�

This bear, who despite all the torture we humans have inflicted on her, wanted nothing but compassion and affection. All she wanted was to hold my hand. This bear humbled me and showed me what forgiveness truly meant.

�

But ACRES is not here today to criticise. Rather and most importantly, we are here today to work together with the Lao community, the Lao government and the Lao Zoo towards finding concrete, long term and win-win solutions.

�

As the ex-Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Sitaheng Rasaphon, said �The Lao government has paid close attention to preventing the illegal trade of wildlife and punishing wrongdoers, but that is not enough.�

�

ACRES is here to help do more. The wildlife trade exist here in Lao, similar to Singapore, and this is not a problem endemic to our region. But we are here as fellow members of the ASEAN community to work together, to partner, collaborate and focus on solutions rather than problems.

�

The reality is that Lao's biodiversity is under threat and Lao has now emerged as a source country in Asia�s illicit wildlife trade, and this trade is taking a heavy toll on its wildlife. If left unchecked, current trends in the illegal trade will result in biodiversity and economic loss.

�

We are delighted today to sign an MOU with the Lao Zoo, to begin our efforts in Lao in making a difference for the animals and the community. We are grateful for the collaboration with Lao Zoo, grateful for the land they have provided us to build the first Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre in Vientiane.

�

The ACRES Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre will provide sanctuary to animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The 5-hectare centre will focus primarily on rescuing bears but it will also house other species of wild animals. This is how the bears will be housed at the centre, in large open-air enclosures.�

�

Most importantly, the centre will serve as a landmark educational facility in Lao, to create much-needed awareness on the wildlife trade, environmental protection and a host of animal protection issues. The onsite Education Centre will consist of exhibits on a variety of animal protection issues and educational talks, skits and performances will be held at the Auditorium.

�

Through education programmes at the centre, ACRES will reach out to the hearts and minds of people of all ages, creating awareness and also inspiring people to make a difference for animals and for the community at large.

�

As part of the MOU, ACRES will also be providing technical assistance for the operation and management of the Lao Zoo. ACRES will help to improve the welfare of animals in the Lao Zoo, while our partners, Love Wildlife Foundation will focus on increasing its education outreach potential.

�

A new Wildlife Crime and Rescue Hotline will also be set up to help combat the illegal wildlife trade, similar to the hotline we have established in Singapore. This hotline provides an avenue for those who know of anyone who buys, owns or trades in protected species, to blow the whistle on these wildlife traders and buyers.

�

It has taken us 29 months to get to where we are today, to sign on the dotted line. As Winston Churchill once said �Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.�

�

The ACRES team remains enthusiastic and optimistic. The future will undoubtedly be filled with more challenges and setbacks but the ACRES team remain strong and passionate about this mission we are in.

�

We live on a very simple saying which is that nothing is impossible, miracles take time.

�

I am confident that our partnership with the Lao Zoo and the Lao government will strengthen the bilateral ties between Singapore and Lao and help curb the illegal wildlife trade. We will be hiring at least 24 Laotian members of staff to work with our Singapore team.

�

This partnership will undoubtedly benefit not just the animals, but more importantly the Lao community.

�

Once again, I thank the Lao Zoo and Lao government for their partnership and collaboration in this important project and we look forward to our close cooperation.

�

Thank you.

�