The fate of Thailand’s last gorilla in captivity, which has been on display in a shopping mall in Bangkok for thirty years, continues to cause controversy in the Asian kingdom, where animal welfare actions are at odds with the interests of tourism companies, AFP and Agerpres on Tuesday reported.

‘Free Bua Noi!’: Graffiti on the walls of the building that houses the Pata Zoo, on the 6th and 7th floors, in early March brought back unpleasant memories for bosses at the controversial reward mall. approximately 2,700 euros for information that leads to the author of the message.

Animal rights activists, including famous American singer Cher in 2020, have campaigned for years for the welfare of Bua Noi (“Little Lotus” in Thai), a gorilla who lives without the ability to see the light.

At over 30 years old – a gorilla can live up to 50 years in captivity – she is the last representative of her species in the Asian kingdom, where there is not a single specimen in the wild.

Opponents of the zoo have criticized its captive living conditions, symbolic of a country where animal welfare can be sacrificed to attract tourists.

The animal is “experiencing extreme psychological stress”, condemned the animal protection association Peta.

Gorillas “need to be with their family or at least in the fresh air, being able to see things, feel nature, see birds flying,” Edwin Wick, founder of the environmental association Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, told AFP.

The zoo rejects the accusations of animal rights activists

Thai authorities have passed new laws to protect native species, but they don’t necessarily apply to private structures like the Pata Zoo. The zoo has applied for an extension of its operating license, said Padei Laytong, director of the wildlife conservation authority.

But for this official, the concern is mainly related to fire safety standards, compliance with which is considered to be inadequate and is the cause of many tragedies that have occurred in recent years in Southeast Asia.

“All these details must be resolved before the license is extended, suspended or revoked,” he said.

On weekends, families continue to visit Pata Zoo, where Bua Noi is on public display alongside orangutans, parrots and goats.

The agency’s leadership, which did not respond to AFP’s request for comment on the matter, condemned the criticism coming from abroad in a statement.

“No citizen of any country has attacked their own country because of gorillas, with the exception of Thailand,” the institution said in response to the graffiti incident, asserting that gorillas are well-treated and that it creates higher costs compared to the revenue it brings.

In their response, the environmental activists argued that the cage was not suitable for the gorilla, a social animal that lives in groups in the wild. The Thai zoo in 2022 denied rumors about the possible sale of a gorilla.