Taronga and Melbourne Legal Challenge
IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare), RSPCA Australia and Humane
Society International (HSI), represented by the Environmental Defender’s Office,
appealed the decision made by the Minister for the Environment, Senator Ian
Campbell, to allow the import of eight Asian elephants from Thailand to Taronga
and Melbourne zoos.
The NGOs asked the Administrative Appeals
Tribunal to review the Minister’s decision and prevent the animals being
transported from Thailand until the appeal is heard.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled that the elephants can come to Australia, but only if a number of important welfare conditions are improved.
The coalition appealed the Minister's decision because it did not meet the
animal welfare and conservation requirements of the Environmental
Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on the
grounds that:
1. The import will be detrimental to
the survival and
recovery of the species.
2. Zoos
can not meet the animal
welfare needs of
elephants.
3. Zoos can not meet the goals
and
objectives of conservation breeding.
Documents of the Taronga and Melbourne Elephant Appeal
The following documents were filed with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal:
1. Application
2. Outline of Grounds for the Application
3. Applicants' Submissions
4. Applicants' Opening Remarks
5. Affidavit of Dr. Cheeran
6. Affidavit of Alan Roocroft
7. Affidavit of Joyce Poole
