UK-based Wild Welfare audits Lok Kawi Park, proposes improvements

KOTA KINABALU: Animal welfare at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park near here is set to improve following the visit by UK-based animal welfare charity - Wild Welfare - to share their expertise.

The charity organisation came for a three-day audit on the park recently and found several areas of concern after they received an invite from the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park management.

“We discovered a number of areas where there are concerns, in particular the current controlling methods used to to manage their elephants,” said Wildlife Welfare field director Dave Morgan.

“Changes need to be made to improve condition for the animals, but the park and its staff are committed to working with us and moving forward in a productive and positive way,” he said.

During his visit from Oct 8 here, Morgan observed the park’s facilities and all its animals and held meetings with key people from the park and Sabah Wildlife Department.

“We don’t just come in and audit a facility, point out all that is wrong and expect changes to happen overnight,” he said.

“Our charity will work with the park to help solve the problems and issues that are giving cause for concern, ensuring the staff can create a place where all the animals receive a high standard of care,” Morgan said.

Wild Welfare is now generating a full report for the park, which will lay out the changes that need to be made. 

It has also made a commitment to return next year.

Most of the animals at the park are rescued after injuries or from illegal trades.