The Kick-Boxing Orangutans

August 2004

Some of the Safari World orangutans have been used in ridiculous and degrading "kick-boxing" shows."

In case you’re not familiar with the Thai "sport" of kick-boxing, here’s how it is conducted. Thai boxing allows fighters to kick each other anywhere on their bodies and to use their fists, elbows, and feet. It is a bloody sport and, like Western boxing, sometimes causes severe brain damage or death.

The orangutan fights at Safari World feature orangutans dressed in gaudy boxing shorts, red for one "boxer" and blue for the other. The animals are trained to kick and punch each other. Chimpanzees wearing bikinis carry cards with the fight number.

On 29 July 2004 the Asia Pacific News Service reported on IPPL’s call for a ban on use of orangutans in kick-boxing shows.

Cyril Rosen of IPPL-UK commented,
It’s outrageous. There’s no question of it being justifiable in any way. They are doing no good to the animals, no good to the species, and making a mockery of the animals.

IPPL is delighted to learn that, in July 2004, the Thai police ordered an end to Safari World’s orangutan kick-boxing shows.

Please check Safari World’s web site www.safariworld.com to see whether orangutan kickboxing is still featured on the site-it was there as of mid-August. Safari World also features bird shows, sea lion and dolphin shows, and even a hippo show.

See related story - The Safari World Orangutan Scandal