Terri Irwin

This email is my reply to one received from the Australia Zoo regarding Terri Irwin's endorsement of the Indonesian government's rainforest protection programme - which as far as I am concerned, particularly on Borneo, exists largely on paper.


Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your reply. A good PR letter. If I did not know any different I'd find it quite convincing.

Please can you confirm Terri is happy to have her name used by the government of Indonesia in defence of their appalling record of forest destruction? Your letter tends to suggest this, but some clarity would be appreciated.

As you read this email, the same government (apparently with Terri's endorsement) is busy selling rainforests inhabited by orangutans, amongst other many other species. Is Terri not aware that her celebrity status is being exploited by the Indonesian government?

To the best of my knowledge no other 'celebrity' has endorsed the government of Indonesia. You say, "we are confident the Indonesian Government will make sure that landholdings will have all of the appropriate protection mechanisms in place to ensure their future viability as a safe habitat." What exactly gives you this confidence? As far as I know, Terri Irwin is in a minority of one holding this belief. Even UNEP would not agree with Terri. So, please tell us what gives Terri such confidence?

Does the zoo have any desire or plans to import any animals from Indonesia?

Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Sean Whyte
Chief Executive
Nature Alert


From: Wildlife Warriors [mailto:info@wildlifewarriors.org.au] Sent: 01 September 2008 04:54To: sw@naturealert.org Subject: Orangutan Conservation - Indonesia

Good afternoon

Thank you for your email and expressing your concerns for the Orangutans of Indonesia. Terri Irwin attended the Climate Change Conference in Bali where President Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's initiatives to save their forests and agreed that now is the time to act. We are aware of Indonesia's history however they are changing their ways and have pledged to conserve their forests. Australia Zoo is forging a path to conserve Sumatra’s wildlife.

We are aware loss of habitat, human/orangutan conflict and poaching are threatening the survival of orangutan populations in Bukkit Tigapuluh National Park (BTNP) located in Sumatra. Australia Zoo has commenced a long term relationship with the Frankfurt Zoological Society, which runs the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program. Protection of Bukit Tigapuluh National Park is primarily funded by the Australian Orangutan Project, driven by Director Leif Cox. One of these teams is now funded by Australia Zoo and we will be funding another one this year (2008). Our goal here at Australia Zoo is to conduct patrols to ensure the safety of released orangutans.

Conservation will always be on Australia Zoo's agenda hence Terri Irwin's invitation as a guest speaker to the Launch of Indonesia's Orangutan Conservation Strategy and Action Plan therefore it was without hesitation that Terri Irwin offer encouraging words of support where necessary.

The process of land/property acquisition is a strategy that requires an enormous amount of applications, surveying and are subject to funding availability and we are confident the Indonesian Government will make sure that landholdings will have all of the appropriate protection mechanisms in place to ensure their future viability as a safe habitat.

Thank you once again for informing us on this matter.
Yours in conservation,
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide1638 Steve Irwin Way PO Box 29 Beerwah Qld 4519T +61 (7) 5436 2026 F +61 (7) 5436 2141 E info@wildlifewarriors.org.au W http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/