In August 2008, I had sent the following "open letter" to several newspapers, Ngo's and Foundations.
The Illegal Trade of (Exotic) Animals
Dear Sir, Madam,
I read and was intrigued by three articles in three separate issues of the Philippine Star subject the Philippine Eagle.
I was on my way back to Manila after joining a marathon through some beautiful scenery in Tagaytay last Sunday, July 27th, when on the road around 12:45, we witnessed an individual selling a bird that looked like an eagle (see picture) on the right hand side of the highway, approximately 50 meters passing Garden Hills, when coming from Tagaytay.
We stopped to take some pictures, and when the man realized he was being approached with the intention of being photographed, the individual made a quick retreat, to the left hand side of the highway into a compound in the same vicinity.
This is not the first time I witnessed this trade, we find the same all through the Philippines, Tarsiers being sold in Bohol, Turtles in the Visayas, the list is too long to name.
I can understand that individuals undertake must find ways and means to survive due to poverty and joblessness. There is however no excuse to part-take in this damaging and illegal industry of the trading of exotic animals.
I am appalled that Filipinos tolerate and participate in the trade of these beautiful native, and sometimes protected species, just on the side of the street. It is just another example of us Filipinos disrespecting the beauty of this country.
I hope that my letter will motivate you to not merely find this individual and put him to justice, but for you to scrutinize this illegal trade in exotic animals all through the country, and to hold the benefactors and organizers accountable.
Absence or lack of scrutiny is in fact a direct manner of supporting this illegal trade.
Yours Truly,
Anthony Jake Huiskamp Atienza
I read and was intrigued by three articles in three separate issues of the Philippine Star subject the Philippine Eagle.
I was on my way back to Manila after joining a marathon through some beautiful scenery in Tagaytay last Sunday, July 27th, when on the road around 12:45, we witnessed an individual selling a bird that looked like an eagle (see picture) on the right hand side of the highway, approximately 50 meters passing Garden Hills, when coming from Tagaytay.
We stopped to take some pictures, and when the man realized he was being approached with the intention of being photographed, the individual made a quick retreat, to the left hand side of the highway into a compound in the same vicinity.
This is not the first time I witnessed this trade, we find the same all through the Philippines, Tarsiers being sold in Bohol, Turtles in the Visayas, the list is too long to name.
I can understand that individuals undertake must find ways and means to survive due to poverty and joblessness. There is however no excuse to part-take in this damaging and illegal industry of the trading of exotic animals.
I am appalled that Filipinos tolerate and participate in the trade of these beautiful native, and sometimes protected species, just on the side of the street. It is just another example of us Filipinos disrespecting the beauty of this country.
I hope that my letter will motivate you to not merely find this individual and put him to justice, but for you to scrutinize this illegal trade in exotic animals all through the country, and to hold the benefactors and organizers accountable.
Absence or lack of scrutiny is in fact a direct manner of supporting this illegal trade.
Yours Truly,
Anthony Jake Huiskamp Atienza
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(C) Anthony Jake Huiskamp Atienza
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2 comments:
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As much as I love animals I have to say the difficulty of getting this concept of "Endangered" species is not a matter of mere neglect or turning a blind eye but rather a different form of values. Values which as we can clearly see from the institutions - and lack thereof - I don't believe we've particularly adopted so to speak the norms of protecting animals, e.g. there are no animal abuse laws here says a lot.
I say adopt because as I see it we are still heavily more of a lip service towards the protection of species. We may have taken these laws and standards regarding their protection from the international community but do realize that institutions are not plug and play. Meaning just because we do have such laws that prohibit the trade of certain exotic species and push to protect them practice speaks far more differently because people do not see the values of such since it was never inherently something promulgated by communities.
After all how can it be promulgated by communities when people already risk losing their place in such communities. Not that poverty should be an excuse but justice does become increasingly difficult to enforce. As we do have to consider as well mercy and proportionality in this case hypothetically he gets caught and is imprisoned, he probably can't pay the fines, but given the conditions of jail he is treated even less than an animal.
Between an animal and a human I would say I place more value towards the human. Still this doesn't mean much as in the end its still a defeat for both sides whichever one you pick.
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