[Greens-Media] Death of one-horned rhino: Greens MP calls for public probe

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - 6 June 2007

Death of one-horned rhino: Greens MP calls for public probe

Greens MP and animal welfare spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has renewed her
calls for the NSW Minister for the Environment to conduct an independent
inquiry into animal welfare standards and the Endangered Species
Breeding Programs at Taronga Zoo, following the death of a pregnant
one-horned rhino on Monday.

"Zoo Director Guy Cooper can no longer keep sweeping allegations of
deaths and injuries of animals at Taronga Zoo under the carpet. It is
time Minister Koperburg stepped in," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Mr Cooper has no background in zoology and it appears he puts the
zoo's commercial interests before animal welfare.

"I have heard disturbing allegations that inadequate care led to the
death of Kua, the pregnant rhino, who was destined for Dubbo's Western
Plains Zoo for breeding. 

"I have received information that the rhino was underfed because the
zoo overlooked its pregnancy and mistakenly thought she was overweight.


"The rhino's fatal gut blockage was caused by eating flooring material
that contained dolerite in its enclosure. A zebra is reported to have
died from the same cause in recent times.

"An investigation is needed to uncover whether these allegations are
true.

"The alarm bells have been rung loud and long about the botched
management of rare and endangered species at Taronga and Western Plains
zoos.

"In November last year the ABC's 7.30 Report detailed various incidents
of concern with animal management at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos,
none of which have been addressed.

"With his new office and portfolio, Mr Koperburg could make his mark by
launching an inquiry into animal welfare standards at Taronga and
Western Plains zoos” Ms Rhiannon said.

Contact: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au