by Bogonko Bosirem, April 22, 2005
NAIROBI (AFP) - A group of visiting Thai MPs sought Thursday to quell vehement opposition here and abroad to a controversial plan to send hundreds of exotic animals from Kenya to a safari park in Thailand.
After meeting with Kenyan officials who back the proposal and animal welfare advocates whose vocal opposition has stalled the transfer, the four-member delegation urged all concerned to approach the issue in a considered fashion.
"Don't be in panic, take the matter calmly," team leader Senator Pensak Chagsuchinda told reporters, suggesting that opponents drop a well-publicized and often shrill international campaign to stop the deal.
"No memorandum of understanding at all (has been signed) and no money has been transferred," he said after a stormy meeting with conservationists who argue the deal would harm the wildlife by moving them from the wild to a non-native habitat in south-east Asia.
However Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials said Thursday the Thais were now offering the east African nation a million dollars (766,000 euros) to build an animal conservation centre in exchange for the animals.
The proposal to send more than 300 animals -- including elephants, hippos, lions and endangered rhinos -- from 30 species sparked howls of protest from conservationists and animal rights groups when news of it emerged in January.
Kenyan officials have said the deal has since been revised to include mainly zebras, giraffes and gazelles, and no rhinos or other endangered species.
Still, the groups have not relented in their opposition causing a delay in the transfer and forcing the postponement of the opening of the Chiang Mai Night Safari park in northern Thailand.
Another member of the Thai delegation, Senator Niboon Shamshoum, said some endangered species were, in fact, on Thailand's wish list.
"Some might be on the red list, some might be just non-CITES animals," he said, referring to the 1989 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species that regulates the wildlife trade.
Shamshoum said the Thais were asking for about 318 animals from "20-plus species," adding that the plan was aimed simply at satisfying the animal curiosity of the Thai people, most of whom cannot afford a safari to Kenya.
In addition to hurting the animals, local and international conservation groups say the deal would call Kenya's commitment to wildlife preservation into question.
They have warned of a possible backlash if it goes ahead, saying potential visitors to Kenya might stay away from the country which depends heavily on tourism revenue.
Several conservationists have written protest letters to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, urging a halt to the deal but no final decision on the matter has yet been made.
NAIROBI (AFP) - A group of visiting Thai MPs sought Thursday to quell vehement opposition here and abroad to a controversial plan to send hundreds of exotic animals from Kenya to a safari park in Thailand.
After meeting with Kenyan officials who back the proposal and animal welfare advocates whose vocal opposition has stalled the transfer, the four-member delegation urged all concerned to approach the issue in a considered fashion.
"Don't be in panic, take the matter calmly," team leader Senator Pensak Chagsuchinda told reporters, suggesting that opponents drop a well-publicized and often shrill international campaign to stop the deal.
"No memorandum of understanding at all (has been signed) and no money has been transferred," he said after a stormy meeting with conservationists who argue the deal would harm the wildlife by moving them from the wild to a non-native habitat in south-east Asia.
However Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials said Thursday the Thais were now offering the east African nation a million dollars (766,000 euros) to build an animal conservation centre in exchange for the animals.
The proposal to send more than 300 animals -- including elephants, hippos, lions and endangered rhinos -- from 30 species sparked howls of protest from conservationists and animal rights groups when news of it emerged in January.
Kenyan officials have said the deal has since been revised to include mainly zebras, giraffes and gazelles, and no rhinos or other endangered species.
Still, the groups have not relented in their opposition causing a delay in the transfer and forcing the postponement of the opening of the Chiang Mai Night Safari park in northern Thailand.
Another member of the Thai delegation, Senator Niboon Shamshoum, said some endangered species were, in fact, on Thailand's wish list.
"Some might be on the red list, some might be just non-CITES animals," he said, referring to the 1989 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species that regulates the wildlife trade.
Shamshoum said the Thais were asking for about 318 animals from "20-plus species," adding that the plan was aimed simply at satisfying the animal curiosity of the Thai people, most of whom cannot afford a safari to Kenya.
In addition to hurting the animals, local and international conservation groups say the deal would call Kenya's commitment to wildlife preservation into question.
They have warned of a possible backlash if it goes ahead, saying potential visitors to Kenya might stay away from the country which depends heavily on tourism revenue.
Several conservationists have written protest letters to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, urging a halt to the deal but no final decision on the matter has yet been made.