As the person who forwarded this to me said:
This is forwarded from my friend Mark in Thailand. I've received countless bogus or ill-conceived petitions on email, but this one is one of the first I've seen that is both for a good and legitimate issue that I care about and structured in a way that it won't grow out of control. So sorry for the intrusion, this is the first email petition I've forwarded in perhaps ten years.
Forwarded email begins here:
Sorry to bother you with my issue- but here's the story: A friend I'm working with at the Animal Rescue Center out here found out that around 50 orangutans had been smuggled illegally from Indonesia into Thailand, to perform in boxing matches to entertain tourists at Safari World. When the Thai officials wouldn't crack down on the owner he alerted the Indonesian authorities, who want their apes back. Since then my friend's center has been raided and he's been taken to court by the Thai Forestry Department, who are out to punish him for making them look bad, while the Safari World owner who smuggled the orangutans into the country hasn't been prosecuted.
There are only about 30,000 orangutans left in the wild, and 1,000 per year are either poached or lose their habitat. Not sure if a petition is all it'll take to get these Orangutans back to their homes, but it's a good start. Here's the link if you'd like to sign it- won't take much time:
Thanks...
xxxxxxxxxxxx PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the petition: ""Bring me home..." Repatriation of orangutans from Bangkok Safari World"
We are trying to reach 100000 signatures, and we need YOUR HELP!
Please help by signing this petition. It takes 30 seconds and will really help. Please follow this link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/822035733
Once you have signed, help even more, by telling your friends and family to sign as well!
Thank you!
Mark Oftedal