Students sign declaration against animal cruelty

Nature Trust has appealed to the public to think twice before supporting businesses which cause animal cruelty either through the excuse of education, such as at dolphinariums, or for making profit from the sale of animals which are not suitable as pets. Animals caught in the wild often end up spending the rest of their lives in cages, or more often, die in cramped conditions before even arriving at their destination, the NGO said.

Nature Trust also asked the public to consider choosing the adoption of stray cats and dogs rather than opting for exotic animals as pets.

In one of its nature-related activities organised by the NGO this summer, over 300 Skolasajf students signed a declaration against animal cruelty and exploitation "as happens regularly in establishments importing exotic animals or capturing local wild species for use in the entertainment business or the booming pet trade".

The activities formed part of Nature Trust's education awareness programmes. In collaboration with the Education Department's Skolasajf office, it visited 19 centres and met hundreds of students for role-playing activities on animal awareness and wildlife issues.

Many students also visited Wied Ghollieqa nature reserve to take part in nature-related treasure hunts, outside games on the importance of habitats and the variety of species as well as activities held in the education centre on the problems of captive animals such as dolphins and the threats caused by loss of natural habitats.