PREN NETWORK SUPPORTS THE ASIA FOR ANIMALS COLLATION’S APPEAL TO CEASE THE USE OF ELEPHANTS IN THE DAM SEN CIRCUS, VIETNAM

The Asia for Animals Coalition in collaboration with Animals Asia have appealed against the cruel use of animals in Vietnam’s circuses for years.  Investigators have recently discovered that Dam Sen Circus has gone back on their word almost a year ago to stop using macaques in performances and again are using them and a host of other animals in their shows.  Therefore, we are writing to them again to ask them to cease these cruel activities.

A COPY OF THE LETTER, ADDRESSED TO: 

Mr Nguyen Quoc Anh

General Director
Phu Tho Tourist Service Joint Stock Company Number 15 Road 2
Lu Gia Plaza Building
Ward 15, District 11,
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Re: The continued use of wild animals in Dam Sen circus

Dear Mr Nguyen Quoc Anh,

25th March, 2020

We are writing on behalf of the ​Asia for Animals Coalition​, representing international animal welfare and conservation organizations. We express our deep concern with regards to the continued use of wild animals within the animal circus at the Dam Sen Tourist Park in Ho Chi Minh City.

Our investigations have revealed that Dam Sen Tourist Park is again using macaques and pythons, together with some other animals, after nearly one year of not using wild animals in their circus performances.

This decision goes against the global trend of a dismissal of animal circuses, where over 57 countries and regions have issued a complete or partial ban of all animals for circus performances.1 Within Vietnamese communities, there are more and more people speaking up for animals and expressing their opposition to animal performances.

We believe that continuing the animal circus performances will have negative impacts on Dam Sen Tourist Park’s reputation. In addition, Dam Sen is registering to become a member of the South

According to data from Animal Defenders International updated to January 2020 East Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association, whose policy does not accept the use of wild animals in circuses.

Scientists warn that wildlife can transmit diseases to humans. In light of the increasing spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), I am sure you will agree that your performing wild animals currently pose a threat of disease transmission to the trainers, performers and audiences of the shows.

On behalf of the undersigned organisations around the globe and the many millions of members they represent, we urge that Dam Sen stop the use of all animals for circus performances with immediate effect.

Sent on behalf of the following organisations:

  1. Anima-Society for the Protection of Animals (Macau)
  2. Animal Concerns Research & Education Society
  3. Animal Guardians
  4. Animal People Forum
  5. Animals Asia Foundation
  6. Big Cat Rescue
  7. Blue Cross of India
  8. Born Free Foundation
  9. Change for Animals Foundation
  10. Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations
  11. FOUR PAWS
  12. Humane Society International
  13. International Animal Rescue
  14. International Fund for Animal Welfare
  15. RSPCA UK
  16. Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  17. The Jane Goodall Institute – Nepal
  18. The Philippines Animal Welfare Society
  19. VShine Animal Protection Association
  20. World Animal Protection

Please respond to David Neale, Animal Welfare Director, Animals Asia Foundation, Room 1501, Tung Hip Commercial Building, 244-252 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong dneale@animalsasia.or​g​ or​ ​afacoalition@gmail.com

Copied to;

Lam Tung Que

Deputy Director
Ho Chi Minh City’s Forest Protection Department Number 01 Do Ngoc Thanh
Ward 14, District 5
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Email: ​cckl.snn@tphcm.gov.vn

Tran Viet Anh

Chairman
Phu Tho Tourist Service Joint Stock Company Number 15 Road 2
Lu Gia Plaza Building
Ward 15, District 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Phm Diep Ngan
Secretary
Vietnam Zoo Association Floor 20A, Vincom Dong Khoi 72 Le Thanh Ton

District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Email: ​diepnganpham@gmail.com

Vo Ngoc Tuan

General Director
Dam Sen Water Park Corporation 3 Hoa Binh Road,
Ward 3, District 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Image: Dam Sen Cultural Park and Zoo in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietname – Tripwolf

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