| | KINSHIP CIRCLE LETTER CAMPAIGN http://www.kinshipcircle.org
SOURCE OF INFORMATION Born Free, http://www.bornfree.org.uk/chiangmai/kenyalatest.shtml The Nation (Thailand) http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/17/national/index.php?news=national_19180026.html NEWSDAY http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-thailand-safari-menu,0,5806785.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines
PETITION: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/237795365
======================================== EMAIL BLOCK & SAMPLE LETTER Full contact information follows sample letter ========================================
info@tourism.go.ke, minister@tourism.go.ke, mdzoro@tourism.go.ke, president@statehousekenya.go.ke, contact@statehousekenya.go.ke, info@e-government.go.ke, jodhoch@treasury.go.ke, info@kenyaembassy.com, information@kenyaembassy.com, thaksin@thaigov.go.th, info@thaiembdc.org, thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
web email: http://www.communication.go.ke/comments.asp
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION ========================================
KENYA OFFICIALS Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife, Headquarters Utalii House, Off Uhuru Highway P. O. Box 30027 NAIROBI ph: 333555, 313010; fax: 318045; telegram: "UTALII" email: info@tourism.go.ke
The Hon. Morris Dzoro, MP, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife ph: 020 313010; email: minister@tourism.go.ke, mdzoro@tourism.go.ke
His Excellency The Hon. Mwai Kibaki C.G.H., M.P. The Office of the President of Kenya Harambee House, Harambee Avenue P.O. Box 30510, Nairobi ph: (254-020) 227411; telegrams: "RAIS" email: president@statehousekenya.go.ke, contact@statehousekenya.go.ke, info@e-government.go.ke, jodhoch@treasury.go.ke
Mr. Cyrus T Gituai, Private Secretary to the President of Kenya fax: +254 20 313600
Office of Public Communications (Office of Government Spokesperson, Kenya) KICC Building, 3rd Floor, 8 Harambee Avenue P.O. Box 62345-00200; Nairobi, Kenya ph: +254-020-240488, +254-020-223521; fax: +254-020-240600 email: comms@comms.go.ke web email: http://www.communication.go.ke/comments.asp SMS (Celtel/Safaricom): 2888
Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, E.G.H., M.P. Maji House, Ngong Road P.O. Box 49720, Nairobi - Kenya ph: (254-020) 716103/229261; telegrams: "MAJI"
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in the United Sates 2249 R. Street, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20008 ph: 202-387-6101; fax: 202-462-3829 email: info@kenyaembassy.com, information@kenyaembassy.com URL: http://www.kenyaembassy.com/
**If you do not live in the USA, look up the Kenya Embassy in your country at: http://www.embassyworld.com/
THAI OFFICIALS The Hon. Thaksin Shinawatra, Office of the Prime Minister Government House Thanon Pissanulok Dusit, Bangkok 10300 ph: 0-2280-3000; fax: +66 2 282 8587; email: thaksin@thaigov.go.th
Royal Thai Embassy in the United States 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 401; Washington DC 20007 ph: 202-944-3600; fax: 202-944-3611 email: info@thaiembdc.org, thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org URL: http://www.thaiembdc.org/
**If you do not live in the USA, look up the Thai Embassy in your country at: http://www.embassyworld.com/
SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR CONTACTS: http://www.kenya.go.ke/ http://www.tourism.go.ke/ http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/government/op.htm http://www.officeofthepresident.go.ke http://www.communication.go.ke/ http://www.thaigov.go.th/
Letter:
Honorable Officials of Thailand and Kenya:
I read with dismay about the fate of wild animals exported from Kenya to a Thai zoo. When the Chiang Mai Night Safari opens on New Years Day, the park's Vareekunchorn restaurant plans to serve lion, tiger, elephant, giraffe, crocodile and zebra at an "Exotic Buffet." Meanwhile, the very same species will be on display for visitors.
Certainly, Thai authorities will not use "conservation" or "education" as justification for the import of 175 animals from Kenya. Thailand and Kenya's arrangement does not promote conservation or enlightenment. There is nothing to learn from confining wild animals in the Chiang Mai Night Safari park alongside shopping zones, musical fountains and restaurants.
Captivity and slaughter do not lead to the renewal of depleted wild populations. Yet Kenya has willingly handed over its rare and protected animals for exhibition and consumption.
In press reports, Night Safari project director Plodprasop Suraswadi described the daily import of animals "offering visitors the chance to experience exotic foods such as horse, kangaroo, giraffe, snake, elephant, tiger and lion meat. We will also provide domestic crocodile and dog meat from Sakon Nakhon province."
While ingesting wildlife may not violate CITES [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species], it is an ethical travesty that further degrades Thailand's reputation regarding wildlife-trade issues. The area is already reputed to be an international marketplace and hunting ground for rare animals such as elephants and orangutans. Thailand is known for smuggling tiger parts, bear claws and imperiled species for use as Chinese cuisine, traditional remedies, and "pets."
Kenya should not have awarded 175 wild animals to a country with a reckless history of wildlife management and conservation. The animal buffet is a bad idea. Please cancel it and ensure safe, long-term sanctuary for these animals.
Sincerely,
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