Foreigner in Thailand locks himself in a cage for four days to raise awareness about mistreatment of animals

[webfact]

Foreigner in Thailand locks himself in a cage for four days to raise awareness about mistreatment of animals

 

Dutch national Edwin Wiek - the outspoken director and founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand who runs a sanctuary in Petchaburi - has told Thaivisa how he locked himself up in a cage for three nights and four days to raise awareness about caged animals mistreated in Thailand. 

In a Facebook post he described his ordeal as "tough" but it made him think about the plight of animals that have to endure horrible conditions and incarceration for years. He said that keeping in touch with his supporters via the internet kept him going.

He managed to raise $25,000 that will keep his sanctuary going for three weeks. He hopes to get more donations and Thaivisa readers can help.

 

Speaking after coming out of the cage Edwin told Thaivisa:

"We got the idea to do this awareness event after we rescued “Canoe the Chimp” a few months ago from Bangkok and took him back with his cage on the back of our truck. While having a few beers one evening we talked about the idea and came up with this result.

"After being in the cage for 4 days I don’t feel too bad, but my legs, knees and my back are in pain! I didn’t go crazy as I expected, but I started to understand the feelings of wild animals in cages a lot more during this lock up.

"To make my life easier or worse in the cage a few people made up their own options, like singing songs and dressing up in a dress. I got $900 for singing and $1200 for wearing a dress and wig.

 

"The Ministry of Natural Resources and environment has asked me to come and discuss some issues soon, so that is a good thing I guess.

"The first thing (I did when getting) out of the cage was to go and see Canoe (the chimp we recently rescued and who lived in this cage for 32 years) and apologize for what us people have done to him. 

"He was very happy to see me after I didn’t see him for 5 days on a row".   

Thaivisa notes that Mr Wiek has had many run-ins with the Thai authorities over the years but is committed to the welfare of animals. His sanctuary has a large collection of animals who have been abused and need care and includes excellent veterinary facilities. 

While many animals cannot quickly be returned to the wild as they have spent so much time in captivity, there have been success stories.

Readers can donate to the sanctuary to help keep it going:

Wildlife Friends Foundation
Siam Commercial Bank (Publ. Co. Ltd.)
Thayang Branch
Acc: 708-208086-6

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-07-15

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[2long]

Good on that man!

I hate to see any animal in a cage. They didn't commit a crime, so why are they in prison!?

[lee b]

4 minutes ago, 2long said:

Good on that man!

I hate to see any animal in a cage. They didn't commit a crime, so why are they in prison!?

I completly agree with you.

[Madgee]

I could imagine this guy apologising to Canoe the chimp like it could understand him.  I went and told my dog about it and we laughed and laughed ... 

[CNXexpat]

Every human who has animals in a cage or aquarium should make this experience.

[TantrikLvr]

High Respect to One of the real Good Guys actually taking action, helping Sentient Beings in Thailand (as clearly instructed by the Buddha) and doing something positive! These days, quite 'refreshing'. Happy to contribute and hope others will be impulsive, spontaneous and generous to do the needful and get the satisfaction of clicking some Baht his way. I did... 

[bodga]

If  by mistreatment of animals he  means people  feeding wild   dogs  roaming the streets  Ill agree  with him,  as  opposed to taking them in, walking them leashed regularly and frequent vet visits.........sorry I  know, dreaming again. Take  care means an idiot throwing some food  out for them then disowning them when they cause an  accident

[bodga]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Readers can donate to the sanctuary to help keep it going:

Ask Thai Ital for a donation!

[bodga]

15 minutes ago, TantrikLvr said:

High Respect to One of the real Good Guys actually taking action, helping Sentient Beings in Thailand (as clearly instructed by the Buddha) and doing something positive! These days, quite 'refreshing'. Happy to contribute and hope others will be impulsive, spontaneous and generous to do the needful and get the satisfaction of clicking some Baht his way. I did... 

Rural  Thais will eat anything that  moves and decimate it, taking the smallest fish etc.

[simon43]

He managed to raise $25,000 that will keep his sanctuary going for three weeks

 

Huh?  He has to spend more than $8,000 every week.  What is he running?  London Zoo and feeding caviar to his animals?  I'd like to hear more details about how many animals he cares for, how many staff etc.

 

[Jane Dough]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

Huh?  He has to spend more than $8,000 every week.  What is he running?  London Zoo and feeding caviar to his animals?  I'd like to hear more details about how many animals he cares for, how many staff etc.

 

His sanctuary is very extensive and has many animals like monkeys, bears...a few years ago even a tiger. Going there is akin to being in a jungle with all the animal noises. I took school trips there with secondary children for the best part of a decade. So much better than a zoo, it helped the children (most of them Thai) to understand the ignorance and cruelty of keeping wild animals in cages. Unfortunately many of abused animals could never go back in the wild but they are very well cared for by a dedicated staff. The care does not come cheap. 

 

I would encourage anyone who can to help Edwin who is an extraordinary character doing great work in Thailand sometimes at considerable risk to his personal safety and liberty. 

 

Rooster

[Orton Rd]

I wonder if he eats animals? a surprising number of these so called animal lovers scoff down dead ones on a regular basis ????

[bodga]

13 hours ago, CNXexpat said:

Every human who has animals in a cage or aquarium should make this experience.

We are  all in a cage  called Earth

[Mak25]

Should read: Foreigner in Thailand locks himself in a cage for four days to raise awareness about mistreatment of Foreigners

[Darksidedude]

The world is getting destroyed with this Covid-19, i really dont give a toss about what this guy is saying about caged animals.

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

In a Facebook post he described his ordeal as "tough" but it made him think about the plight of animals that have to endure horrible conditions and incarceration for years. He said that keeping in touch with his supporters via the internet kept him going

Should have put the cappuccino down before the photo I might have believed him!

[Grumpy John]

9 minutes ago, Darksidedude said:

The world is getting destroyed with this Covid-19, i really dont give a toss about what this guy is saying about caged animals.

Said straight from the heart...of stone.  I do find it interesting he needs US$8000 a week to run the sanctuary.  That's 240000 baht! 

[kwak250]

8 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

I do find it nteresting he needs US$8000 a week to run the sanctuary.  That's 240000 baht! 

Your forgetting his expenses,

You realise dresses , wigs and beer all add up.

[pineapple01]

Google its History, then comment.

[Rookiescot]

I wonder, if he is no longer using the cage, could I have it?

Would be handy for the ex wife and her family.

[MasterBaker]

Please give me the keys

[Grumpy one]

Back in 2009 I met a couple of Americans who paid this guy $6000 each for 2 weeks cleaning up after the animals.

He offered this great work with animals as a volunteer

He appeared to be a half decent guy, dropping the kids at the bar in his NEW 4x4

Mind you they had a LONG walk back to his property

I always thought how much do the animals get ????

Edited July 16, 2020 by Grumpy one

[simon43]

1 hour ago, pineapple01 said:

Google its History, then comment.

I just have.  Seems like the animals are treated much better than those who give up their time to volunteer at this centre.....

[Iron Tongue]

I just want to know to a TM 30 was promptly filed.

[scoupeo]

only 4 days ? so ridiculous..

 

 

[CNXexpat]

6 hours ago, bodga said:

We are  all in a cage  called Earth

The size of this cage is ok for me. I don't have enough time in my life to explore every part of it.

[scoupeo]

2 hours ago, Darksidedude said:

The world is getting destroyed with this Covid-19, i really dont give a toss about what this guy is saying about caged animals.

 

When i read your comment i hope that the whole population of the world dies and only animals stay...

 

 

 

[Bob A Kneale]

2 hours ago, Darksidedude said:

The world is getting destroyed with this Covid-19

Er, no, it isn't.

[Bob A Kneale]

4 hours ago, Mak25 said:

Should read: Foreigner in Thailand locks himself in a cage for four days to raise awareness about mistreatment of Foreigners

Should read,

Foreigner in Thailand locks himself in a cage for four days to raise money to pay his bills that he took on voluntarily.

[Kadilo]

Whenever someone tries to do some good there is always someone at the ready to shoot him down. 
 

Edited July 16, 2020 by Kadilo