Orang-utan ‘a caged tragedy’ – SPCA
OUTRAGE among animal lovers in KwaZulu-Natal is boiling over following a plea by the Kloof and Highway SPCA to release one of the orang-utans kept in captivity at the KZN Zoological Gardens just outside Pietermaritzburg. The zoo is owned by Brian Boswell. In a statement that went viral, SPCA inspector Cheri Cooke said she has been involved in assessing the wellbeing of the caged animals in this zoo for several years.
The statement identified the plight of Opal, a 36-year-old orang-utan, as a “caged tragedy”, that the SPCA alleges is being neglected and is suffering as a result.
The inspector explains that as a species, orang-utans rank among the most intelligent of all primates and adapt to an incredible variety of stimulating, challenging and changing elements in their treetop jungle homes.
“Above all, they have the gentle, constant companionship of a mother, friend, teacher and playmate.
“All of this – until they are old and experienced enough to go off into the world for an adult life of equal variety,” Cooke said. However, for Opal, nothing of this natural life exists.
According to Cooke, Opal’s response to this “heartlessly barren confinement”, is to fling her own dung at the people watching her degradation.
The inspector said her personal reactions to her visits to see Opal and the other caged animals in this establishment were frustration, outrage, heartache and anger.
Animal lovers from around the country and abroad, via various social media, aired their anger, shock and disgust at Opal’s plight.
Many called for a boycott of Boswell’s zoo and circus, and have launched various online petitions to shut Boswell down and to release Opal to a wildlife sanctuary in the UK.
However, Boswell has lashed out at his detractors, claiming that while their concern for Opal was well placed, they knew nothing about what it takes to care for a primate.
“Orang-utans are solitary animals who will only live with the female babies until the baby has matured and fallen pregnant.
“Opal was born at the Gardens. She has lived here all her life. This is her home. She is like one of my children, and for people to say that I am not treating her well is hurtful and just untrue,” Boswell said, adding that the UK climate would be too harsh for Opal.
“She would not be happy in the UK. She is being well cared for right here,” he said, adding that she had a clean, wide-open space enclosure, with shelter from inclement weather, and was well fed and had access to a generous supply of treats.
“I don’t understand why people are making these vicious claims.
“I love animals and I, by housing Opal here, am affording others the opportunity to meet her and learn about her,” Boswell said.