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your efforts?
me why the work I do is so important.
Edwin Wiek: The good moments are
the moments you rescue an animal in
need of help and you realize you can
help them (in some cases we are too late).
The best moments are the moments you
can rehabilitate and release some of those
animals back to the wild, giving them a
new chance of life. Whenever I sit on my
balcony at home, I am surrounded by the
sounds, sights and smells of the animals
rescued by WFFT, bears, elephants or
gibbons among many others are around
me having fun, this constantly reminds
HOT Magazine: What is it that you
like the least about your job? How do
you attempt to cope with these aspects?
October 15 - November 15 , 2015
Edwin Wiek: Politics. Unfortunately
numerous government officials and
politicians make lots of money out of
elephant camps and other unethical
wildlife tourist attractions, and from
the illegal wildlife trade. We as an NGO
with the objectives of animal welfare and
wildlife conservation, of course directly
oppose such people and their practices.
Working with the government is a must,
but unfortunately due to the involvement
of some officials with the exploitation
or trade of wildlife makes it difficult at
some times.
HOT Magazine: Describe the Wildlife
Friends Foundation in one word. Why
do you chose that word?
Edwin Wiek: Dream. It started as a
dream for me, as I was fantasizing about
starting this foundation 15 years ago.
We worked hard to make it happen, let
it grow sustainably and make it one of
the best in Asia. With currently a wildlife
rescue center and an elephant refuge