Latest news with #KalaivananRavichandran
The Sun
28-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Pop-up zoos condemned for exploitative practices
PETALING JAYA: Leashed to a chair and pacing beside a donation box, a meerkat at a Kuala Lumpur mall has become the face of growing public outrage over animal exploitation in Malaysia's booming pop-up zoo industry. The TikTok video that exposed the scene lasted less than a minute but the backlash was swift. Viewers flooded the comments, calling the display 'cruel', 'heartbreaking' and 'a disgrace'. In the background, shoppers walked by, seemingly unfazed by the small, visibly distressed animal tethered in place for public amusement. Animal welfare groups say what the public saw is just the surface of a much darker problem. 'These animals are not suited for confined spaces or constant human interaction,' said Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia president Kalaivanan Ravichandran, condemning the use of exotic species in temporary public exhibits. 'Using them for entertainment disrupts their natural behaviour, and causes physical and psychological stress.' He said the conditions in many of these pop-up exhibits amount to prolonged suffering for the animals. Often operating in legal grey areas, these setups use exotic species as photo props with little oversight or enforcement. 'Most of these setups prioritise profit over proper animal care. We often see signs of stress in the animals, inadequate enclosures and a lack of veterinary oversight,' he said, adding that their use is often unethical and lacks genuine educational or conservation value. He questioned whether operators comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which outlines minimum standards for housing, handling and exhibiting animals. Under the law, organisers must obtain permits from the Veterinary Services Department and Wildlife and National Parks Department, with regular inspections. 'All parties involved, such as event organisers, zoo operators and venue providers, must be held accountable. Organisers must uphold ethical standards, operators must ensure the animals' welfare and venues must enforce compliance with the law.' Kalaivanan also called for stronger enforcement by authorities. 'Laws are only effective when properly enforced. We urge both departments to adopt a firmer stance.' He appealed to the public to report suspected abuse and stop supporting entertainment that exploits animals. 'Animals deserve to be treated with dignity. If you witness mistreatment, do not stay silent. Speak up and report it. Together, we can create a society that protects and respects all living beings.' Veterinarian Dr Salehatul Khuzaimah Mohamad Ali said exotic animals, such as meerkats, are especially vulnerable to stress in captive environments. 'Meerkats are highly sensitive and could develop chronic stress when subjected to unfamiliar environments and constant human interaction. This stress weakens their immune system, making them more susceptible to illness.' She added that such animals may exhibit stereotypic behaviours (repetitive, unnatural actions, such as pacing or head bobbing), which are signs of mental distress. Without appropriate shelter or hiding places, they could become aggressive or withdrawn. Long-term confinement could even erase natural behaviours, such as burrowing, climbing or basking. Salehatul warned that cramped conditions and improper flooring could cause musculoskeletal issues while poor diets and irregular feeding may lead to obesity or malnutrition. 'Temporary setups often fail to maintain species-appropriate temperature and humidity. This increases the risk of dehydration, respiratory distress and even organ failure.' Inadequate hygiene and close public contact also raise the risk of parasitic infections, skin diseases and the transmission of zoonotic illnesses. 'A high standard of veterinary care is essential when displaying exotic animals in public settings.' She added that this includes health screenings, regular checkups, behavioural monitoring and proper documentation. 'A veterinarian must assess whether an animal is fit for public display. No animal should be forced to interact or perform under stress or poor health conditions.' She noted that event operators are required to have a qualified veterinarian either on-site or on-call throughout the exhibition period. She urged the public to reconsider the ethics of these exhibits. 'We need to move away from wildlife encounters that prioritise entertainment over welfare. It is time to shift public perception and stop supporting such practices.'
Malaysiakini
20-05-2025
- Malaysiakini
Activists file report over calls to poison dogs in Seremban
Outraged animal rights activists lodged a police report last night over 'disturbing' online comments advocating for the harming of stray dogs in Bandar Sri Sendayan, Seremban. Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said the report was filed against 'graphic and alarming' comments on a post in the Facebook group 'Sendayan macam-macam ada', which has upwards of 114,000 followers.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
Penang govt urged to resolve land crisis of animal shelter
PETALING JAYA: The Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) has urged the state government to step in and resolve the land crisis threatening the future of the Penang Animal Welfare Society (4PAWS) shelter in Teluk Bahang. The non-profit shelter recently revealed via Facebook that the landowner intends to sell the property and has given the organisation until the end of next month to decide whether it can buy the land for RM2.2 million. SAFM president Kalaivanan Ravichandran warned that with over 700 dogs in 4PAWS's care, the looming eviction poses a critical risk, potentially forcing the animals back onto the streets. It has issued an urgent appeal, calling on Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to immediately allocate permanent land to secure the shelter's future. 'Without government intervention, the fate of the rescued animals remains uncertain. These dogs are not just numbers – they are lives that have been saved from the streets and deserve safe, permanent homes. 'The state government must act now to prevent further harm to these animals,' said Kalaivanan. He expressed concern that the shelter's closure would disrupt the lives of the dogs that rely on 4PAWS for daily care and protection. 'The issue of land insecurity is not unique to 4PAWS. As urbanisation accelerates, many animal shelters across Malaysia are being displaced to make way for development.' He stressed that the lack of long-term land security is a growing challenge for animal welfare NGOs, many of which are struggling to provide care for the country's rising stray population. SAFM is calling for a dedicated support framework for such organisations, and urging state and federal governments to offer sustainable, long-term land or shelter solutions. 'Without stable premises, shelters face constant threats of eviction, which limit their ability to continue rescuing and caring for animals,' said Kalaivanan. SAFM has extended a call to other NGOs, the public and corporate players to unite in a collective appeal to the state government. Kalaivanan said immediate action is essential to avoid forcing hundreds of animals back onto the streets. 'A swift and decisive intervention from the Penang government is critical to ensure a permanent solution for 4PAWS. 'It is not only about the welfare of the animals; it is about reducing public nuisance and managing stray populations more effectively.' SAFM highlighted the key role that corporate support could play. Companies are encouraged to integrate animal welfare into their corporate social responsibility strategies, helping shelters sustain operations and rescue efforts. SAFM is also urging Malaysians to step forward, whether through donations, volunteering or advocacy, to support shelters in continuing their essential mission. 'The role of the community is crucial in ensuring these animals get the protection and care they deserve,' said Kalaivanan. 4PAWS founder Barbara Janssen voiced concern over the shelter's uncertain future. 'There are few locations that could accommodate the number of dogs we house. The heartbreaking reality is that we may be forced to release some or even all of them back onto the streets.' Despite fundraising efforts, the shelter has only managed to raise RM60,000 through public donations. 'This has been our home for 15 years. Relocating would be extremely difficult. Our fate lies in the hands of the community.'
