The reporter learned from the Kunming Zoo on May 18 that the Asian elephant "Molly" was accompanied by her mother "Mo Po" at close range, in accordance with the relevant regulations of animal quarantine, for isolation and observation. At present, "Molly" is isolated and observed waiting for various laboratory test results.
On March 20, 2016, a baby female elephant was born at Kunming Zoo, whose parents were Asian elephants "Mopo" and "Zhongbo". Through the public name, this baby elephant has a name - "Molly", the same as "Jasmine", hoping that it can be like jasmine, pure and charming, healthy growth. In order to adjust the kinship of Asian elephants in the park and let the Asian elephant population continue to develop, in 2018, the 2-year-old "Molly" was exchanged to Qinyang Swan Lake Park.
After scientific assessment, comprehensive research and multi-party coordination, on May 16, "Molly" left the Swan Lake Ecological Park in Qinyang, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, and was sent to Kunming Zoo. At 23:53 on May 16, "Molly" arrived at the Kunming Zoo. After that, Kunming Zoo arranged for special personnel to take care of "Molly" and conducted a comprehensive examination of "Molly's" physical condition and comprehensive assessment of her health status. At present, "Molly" is in a stable situation.
Xu Xinjie, a Henan expert escorting the baby elephant:
"Molly" is now fine, with a comprehensive assessment by third-party experts
Xu Xinjie, vice president of the Henan Zoological Society, as an expert appointed by the Henan Forestry Bureau, provided technical guidance on the preparation of baby elephants before transportation, precautions during transportation, etc., which lasted about 33 hours and escorted "Molly" back to Kunming Zoo. During this period, veterinarians, experimenters and technicians will check the situation of "Molly" every 3 to 4 hours and feed and feed water.
After arriving in Kunming, Xu Xinjie went to the field every day to monitor the condition of the baby elephant. He said that "Molly" is in good condition at present, but there is an inevitable stress response after long-distance transportation. Kunming is different from The Henan feed varieties, and the "Molly" appetite has not yet fully recovered, requiring a process of transition and adaptation.
Xu Xinjie pointed out that the most important thing to do is for the public not to disturb "Molly" too much. Regarding the future, he said: "The breeders of the technical team of Kunming Zoo are very experienced and believe that they can raise 'Molly' better. ”
Zhang Li, member of the National Science Committee on Endangered Species:
Animal welfare legislation needs to be gradually improved
The "Save The Little Elephant Molly" operation not only aims to promote the resolution of this case, but also pays attention to animal welfare issues such as more captive animals being abused and trained to perform, and many animal lovers have proposed to promote mainland animal welfare legislation.
Zhang Li, a member of the National Endangered Species Science Committee and a professor of ecology at Beijing Normal University, pointed out that it is regrettable that the mainland has not yet formed legislation on animal welfare, and there are only some sporadic industry regulations. Due to the multi-party coordination and various animal welfare differences, animal welfare legislation cannot be achieved overnight, and a long-term process of gradual improvement is required.
In addition, Zhang Li explained from the professional perspective of ecology why the baby elephant "Molly" was exchanged to Henan in the name of "adjusting ethnic kinship": because it is difficult to provide the zoo with a source of Asian elephants through import and wild capture, zoos with a relatively small number of Asian elephants in captivity can only meet the requirements of population breeding by exchanging seed source individuals with other zoos.
Animal protection expert Zheng Yu:
Captive-bred Asian elephants are also wild animals and are protected by law
The baby elephant Molly is the first third-generation Asian elephant bred and born in a zoo on the mainland, and there is controversy about whether it is a wild animal or not. Zheng Yu, an animal protection expert and wildlife project manager of the World Animal Conservation Association, pointed out that according to the newly adjusted List of Wild Animals under National Key Protection, even artificially bred Asian elephants, regardless of the first generation, are wild animals, which are also protected by the Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China and cannot be abused.
However, Zheng Yu added: "Although the current mainland wildlife protection lists abuse as a prohibited act, it does not specify what kind of situation and which activity belongs to the abuse of wild animals, nor does it stipulate the corresponding legal responsibility." This may also need to be continued to be promoted in subsequent judicial practice. ”
Comprehensive: CCTV News, Spring City Evening News, Kunming Zoo
Source: Yunnan Daily