Nature and animal welfare groups in Singapore have banded together again to oppose the move by the integrated resort on Sentosa to bring in whale sharks for its oceanarium.
The Singapore Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Nature Society of Singapore and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) had objected publicly to the plan when Resorts World at Sentosa unveiled it in 2006.
With International Whale Shark Day being observed tomorrow, the groups said it was timely to again raise awareness of the issue.
SPCA executive officer Deirdre Moss said the society was concerned about the welfare of the whale shark as some have died in captivity overseas.
She said: “When we’re talking about the biggest fish in the ocean, one has to ask the question, ‘Who is benefiting? Is it the animal or is it the human?’ The animal’s welfare will definitely be compromised.”
Whale sharks can grow to 12m long and possibly up to 20m.
Acres executive director Louis Ng said: “They shouldn’t gamble on the lives of whale sharks.”
The spokesman for Resorts World at Sentosa, Ms Krist Boo, said the whale sharks in the Marine Life Park “will be loved and will receive top-class care”.
She added that the park’s mission was to “inspire guests of all ages to appreciate the world’s aquatic biodiversity and promote conservation action”.
However, Nature Society of Singapore president Shawn Lum said there was no wide consensus that keeping these whale sharks in captivity was good conservation strategy.
There has been no sign of official disapproval of Resorts World’s move.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), noting that these gentle giants are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Flora and Fauna, said this meant their import and export had to be controlled.
AVA spokesman Goh Shih Yong said Singapore would abide by the convention and require Resorts World to provide good care.
Resorts World launched a marine life fund this year and said shark’s fin would not be available on its menu, except to high-rollers.
ayiying@sph.com.sg
This article was first published in The Straits Times on August 29, 2008.
