Caged birds in homes different from those in zoos, parks

It is flawed for Mr Samuel Lim Hak Tik to compare the emotional state of caged birds in homes with that of the birds and animals in Jurong Bird Park and the Singapore Zoo (Being caged doesn't mean ill treatment; Jan 24).

Unlike in the past, where animals in the zoo and similar parks were often kept in tight confined spaces, the sentient beings in these tourist attractions are no longer caged.

As we have become more aware of their emotional well-being, the animals are now provided with much bigger physical spaces to wander around in, with boundaries marked by obstacles like fences and rivers.

But the situation of caged birds kept in some homes is different.

Try opening the doors of one of these cages. The birds will escape, even while being fed. This clearly reflects the birds' strong desire to be free.

Community cohesion is good, but there are many other and better ways to do it than to keep birds caged and take them tobird-singing competitions.

Lim Chee Khiam

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 27, 2018, with the headline Caged birds in homes different from those in zoos, parks. Subscribe