Hello! The above picture was taken in Taman Safari, Bogor, Indonesia, June 2017 by Rebecca's team. This poor innocent tiger cub was tethered and on display, waiting to be exploited for photo-ops with ignorant humans. This is the miserable life this poor cub has to endure. His friends share the same miserable and cruel fate. It is unacceptable and wrong! As promised, I am sharing with you Rebecca’s vision and strategy to help the animals of Indonesia. Rebecca and I support each other campaigns and cross pollination of ideas for the animals. Their suffering have gone on for far too long. I know you agree that they deserve better, and more. Positive change will not take place overnight. The journey to make it make happen will not be easy either. We will face many obstacles like what we faced before and during Rebecca’s recent trip to Indonesia. We must forge ahead and find other ways to make it happen for the animals because we know in our hearts and minds that what we are fighting for, is righteous. I hope we will have your continue support to share my petition and Rebecca’s goFund effort. Trolls need not bother to make comments, you are part of the problem and will be ignored! Thanks again as always for caring about the animals and for your support. “Mother Nature is cruel by design, humans are cruel by choice” ~P Holmes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REBECCA'S VISION AND STRATEGY. A Lofty Undertaking… Below you will find an outline of my planned strategy to help the animals of Indonesia. It’s important to note that this problem has unfolded over a long period of time and it will not be solved overnight. But through persistence, dedication and creativity, we can change the stars for the animals of Indonesia. 1. Regarding the Bandung Zoo. Attached to this update is a photo of the letter that will be submitted to the Bandung Zoo management today. You’ll see that I am offering training and veterinary assistance, in exchange for an adjustment in animal exploitation and chaining practices. The initial concern with this zoo was the fact that the animals were not being fed consistently and they were not receiving veterinary attention as needed. In addition, the habitats are outdated and small. The animals are now being fed, due to government intervention, but it is still unclear if there is a plan in place to ensure consistent nutrition and veterinary care in the future. I am not of the mindset to spend time and resources to help an animal exploitation establishment (e.g. a zoo), exploit animals better or in a better environment. Ideally, this zoo would close, along with several other animal establishments in Indonesia. While we can still work to this end, in the meantime, we can offer solutions to improve the quality of life for the animals currently there. As for the habitats, the zoo is receiving help from another non-profit to update enclosures. We hope that they are taking all the animals into consideration as they make these modifications. Displacing animals from their familiar habitats can be very stressful and must be done with the utmost consideration. I am uncertain how my offer will be received and the Bandung Zoo’s response will determine my next move. They have been given until July 15, 2017 to respond. 2. There is a zoo in Sumatra that needs assistance building an enclosure for “Micheal”, an orphaned orangutan. He is living in a tiny cage and desperately needs a more enriching environment. Aside from this very important need, there is an opportunity to assist a zoo that has made a commitment to compassion. We need to help them become an example and hopefully a leader in humane practices and conservation. If they are successful, other zoos may be inspired to follow suit. This project will be executed / supervised by two Indonesia based non-profit animal groups. 3. As mentioned in a previous update, I have committed to building an “Animal Reading House” in Northern Sumatra where poaching of endangered and compromised species is RAMPANT. They are also facing a decimation of habitat due to illegal logging. The local government has asked for assistance with raising local awareness in hopes of protecting and preserving the animals and the environment for generations to come. Working in coordination with the local government and Scorpion Wildlife Trade Monitoring Group (SWTMG), we will contribute resources to build a "reading house" that will serve as a library of sorts, where local citizens of all ages, can learn about the animals and plants that live in their own backyard. We will gather books, coloring pages and materials that will inspire compassion and awareness for animals and the environment. The design and construction will be at the discretion of the local community. There is also a need for tree seedlings / saplings for the reforestation efforts. The project will be supervised by the Indonesia based non-profit organization, Scorpion Wildlife Trade Monitoring Group. Sumatra Elephants, Sumatra Rhinos, Sumatra Tigers, Orangutans and Sun Bears are just a few of the animals that will benefit from living near a more enlightened and compassionate community. This is a CRUCIAL PROJECT that could have an immeasurable impact for years to come. 4. I would like to provide operational resources and equipment to some of the smaller, yet crucial organizations operating in Indonesia. The groups we encountered play a very specific role in the fight for the rights of animals and they absolutely MUST be able continue their work. Some of these groups need help with rescued animal enclosures, support staff, veterinary services, day to day supplies, etc… 5. I plan to assist an Indonesia-based filmmaker in developing / producing a family-friendly, television series dedicated to raising awareness about animals. This educational tool has the ability to elevate the status of animals and inspire compassion across the country. This will be produced in Indonesia, for that market. 6. I intend to develop multiple “awareness” campaigns (public service announcements, social media advertising, etc…) to inspire people around the world, to spend their tourist dollars wisely. I will also engage corporations doing business in Indonesia, to gain their commitment to improving the quality of life for the animals. 7. I will provide support for my team to advance their advocacy work which will hopefully result in more humane practices in Indonesia. They will focus on animals in captivity, the tragic animal performance shows, transportation of companion animals, the dog meat trade, etc… 8. I am currently examining the need for a new or expanded sanctuary for the heavily exploited Sun Bears and am also considering the value of a full-blown documentary to raise international awareness. Why this is so important… Information from Profauna, Protection for Forest and Fauna sums it up. • Indonesia is estimated to have more than 300,000 wildlife species or 17% of the world wildlife living within their borders, even though Indonesia's land is only 1.3% of the world's land. • Indonesia has the most mammals in the world (515 species) and is inhabited by 1,539 bird species. • 45% of the world fish live in Indonesia waters. • There are 259 endemic mammals, 382 endemic birds, and 172 endemic amphibians. The existence of the endemic species, meaning they can only be found in Indonesia, is important because if those endemic animals go extinct, they will be extinct in the world. • Indonesia is notorious as a country which has long list of the threatened wildlife. • The threatened wildlife in Indonesia include 184 mammals, 119 birds, 32 reptiles, 32 amphibians, and 140 fish. • There are 68 species which are critically endangered and 69 endangered species, and 517 vulnerable species. As I said in an earlier post, the problem is HUGE and while the odds may not be in my favor, I cannot turn away. My soul has been permanently altered by the anguish that I witnessed in the animals in Indonesia. For them, no matter what, I will not quit. We are here because we love animals and because we care about this world. I need your help to not only reach but to exceed the goal of this campaign, so I can achieve the objectives above. Please tell your family and friends that even $1 can make a difference. If there is one project above, that resonates with you, that you may like to become more involved with, please reach out to me and I will happily share more information. One of my favorite quotes is by Ryunosuke Satoro. It goes… “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Let’s be the ocean. For the Animals, Rebecca ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SINCEREST APOLOGIES EVERYONE. I JUST NOTICED THAT REBECCA'S LETTER TO BANDUNG ZOO WAS NOT COPIED AND PASTED HERE. I tried but it won't let me. So, PLEASE GO TO HER GOFUND LINK UPDATE #33, SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO READ. THX https://www.gofundme.com/sunbearsindonesia?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-149504448203-27fe8aefc4b94604&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta_button&utm_campaign=upd_n