Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has taken note of the response by the general manager of Underwater World and would like to comment on the following:

The consequence of zoo demands for Rockhopper penguins have led to the deaths of at least four of the birds during their transport to South Africa from the remote British-controlled isle of Tristan da Cunha located in the South Atlantic, or shortly after arrival at the notorious South African wildlife dealer's aquarium.

If Underwater World is committed into conserving species it should leave wildlife in their original habitat instead of accelerating extinction.

It is a typical zoo and aquarium response that as a result of habitat loss, they are the only repositories of so-called 'museum species' and to save them from extinction is through captive breeding for which there is no hope of return to the wild since no suitable habitat for them remains.

Therefore we conclude that even the best zoos and aquaria are not doing an adequate job of nature conservation. Breeding animal species in captivity is animal preservation, not conservation. Conservation has to take place in the animals natural habitat. It costs far more to keep and breed species in captivity than protect their habitat which benefit many species, not just one.

The often repeated justifications for zoos have never really stood up to detailed analysis. Education of the public is a weak argument for this institutions. Species are clearly in an unnatural habitat. In the age of the film and wildlife documentary, there can be little value in keeping animals in captivity.

Furthermore, the absence of realistic awareness on these matters is not to be stimulated in such facilities. Other claims to the effect that zoos research against disease and seek to pursue real conservation are usually without adequate foundation. Even breeding in captivity which may be useful as a last resort has its problems with many animal behaviour patterns being genetically inherited.

While SAM admits that people in Malaysia may not have the chance to visit the sub-antarctic to see the wide range of wildlife, at the same time we have no right to snatch away wildlife from their very home only to end up as "living trophies" in some foreign land. And zoos, aquaria and aviaries will continue to source for exotics just as soon as interest in the old ones fade.