International
collaboration improves zoo standards: Hanoi zoo closes its circus
The Hanoi zoo circus has long operated as a separate commercial
enterprise, within the zoo grounds, but under independent management, meaning
that its regulation through zoo authorities is a challenge. However after a
two-year collaboration between the zoo and charities Wild Welfare and Animals
Asia, the circus has finally closed.
Animals Asia Animal Welfare Officer Nguyen Tam Thanh said:
“There has been no major announcement just a quiet closure and we
are hugely grateful for this huge step. We rightly continue to expose cruelty
so we are duty bound to recognise progress and this is certainly that. While we
have been going about our work to improve the conditions for animals at Hanoi
Zoo we have been consistently advocating to close the circus."
Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE has visited the zoo a number of
times, most recently in October 2015 to deliver veterinary CPD to the
veterinary team, and collaborate in the teaching of a bear husbandry workshop
held there. Heather said:
“This is a hugely positive move
for the animals at the zoo. It is incredibly easy to criticise practices like
animal performances but much more difficult to engage with stakeholders and
work towards raising standards of welfare and eliminating bad practices. This
is a great example of international cooperation achieving positive results.”
Animals
Asia has also developed a National Working Group of zoo directors and
government officials and have since produced the very first draft guidelines
for the welfare of wild animals in captivity in Vietnam. Once ratified by the
working group, these guidelines will be presented to the national government for
incorporation into a national standard.
Heather delivering clinical CPD at the Hanoi zoo, with the
Animals Asia team
