From: Louis Ng (ACRES) Sent: Tuesday, 29 November, 2011 9:51 AM To: 'Krist BOO Chee Lan' krist.boo@gentingsingapore.com Cc: 'sharon.kok@rwsentosa.com'; 'Lynn LEE Li Jun'; 'john.hallenbeck@rwsentosa.com'; 'robin.goh@rwsentosa.com'; 'enquiries@rwsentosa.com'; 'reservations@rwsentosa.com' Subject: RE: Is RWS misleading the public? Dear Krist, Thank you for your response. 2. ACRES is glad that RWS has no plans for and will not be conducting any animal shows at the Marine Life Park. We hope that this also includes not having performances or shows during "exercise sessions". 3. We are grateful that you have also clarified that the job advertisement indicating that the Marine Mammal Specialist (Job ID 11912) responsibilities include “behavioral conditioning of the mammals for…show-type behaviors" was an error. 4. We understand the need to provide enrichment to the animals. As defined by Shepherdson (1999), “Environmental enrichment is a process for improving or enhancing zoo animal environments and care within the context of their inhabitant’s behavioural biology and natural history. It is a dynamic process in which changes to structures and husbandry practices are made with the goal of increasing behavioural choices available to animals and drawing out their species-appropriate behaviours and abilities, thus enhancing animal welfare.” Playing with balls and hoops is not a natural behaviour for dolphins and gives the public a wrong impression of these animals. Since wild dolphins do not play with anything resembling or close to balls and hoops, can RWS clarify which species-appropriate behaviours and abilities it is trying to stimulate? 5. You have stated that your "operations are totally transparent". Will RWS allow ACRES and our representatives to inspect the facility at Ocean Adventure where the RWS wild-caught dolphins are currently being housed and trained? 6. We thank you for replying to part of our letter but hope that RWS can also reply to the letter "ACRES to RWS: Set the record straight" published in TODAY 28 October 2011 (http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC111028-0000604/ACRES-to-RWS--Set-the-record-straight) and the letters we passed to Ms. Lynn Lee on 3 October 2011 which she agreed to forward on to your CEO. 7. Please let me know if you need any further information. I look forward to your favourable reply. 8. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Louis Ng (MSc) Executive Director ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) www.acres.org.sg 91 Jalan Lekar Singapore 698917 (O): +65 6892 9821 (F): +65 6892 9721 CC: Local and international media agencies Government agenccies Mr. Tan Hee Teck, CEO, RWS Mr. John Hallenbeck, VP Operations, RWS Mr. Robin Goh, Assistant Director, Communications, RWS From: Krist BOO Chee Lan [mailto:krist.boo@gentingsingapore.com] Sent: Monday, 28 November, 2011 12:01 PM To: louis@acres.org.sg Subject: Is RWS misleading the public? Dear Louis, We have always maintained that there are no plans to conduct animal shows. As part of caring for our marine mammals, the Marine Life Park team has introduced various enrichment devices that are water resistant, durable and safe for our animals. Dolphins in the wild are often in search of opportunities to interact and play. In zoological environments, balls and hoops encourage play activities among dolphins. These activities promote health and social interaction among the animals. Members of the Marine Life Park team are passionate animal lovers themselves. They would never consider putting the dolphins in their care under any undue stress. As a public-centric organization –we host thousands of visitors who come to our integrated resort every day to enjoy its facilities – our operations are totally transparent. We have said that there are no plans to have animal shows at our park and I trust that should put the matter to rest. We encourage visitors to come and see for themselves what will be in store when the world’s largest oceanarium opens next year. Thank you. Krist 
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