Maneka Gandhi opened the Asia for Animals 2007 Conference with the keynote address. (Photo courtesy of The Hindu)

The Asia for Animals 2007 Conference in Chennai, India, attracted more than 300 delegates from around the world to participate in discussions of how to protect Asia’s wildlife and promote animal welfare for pets in Asian countries. The conference, which was held Jan. 10 to 12, began with a keynote address by Maneka Gandhi, who heads India’s largest animal welfare organization, People
for Animals.

In her speech, Gandhi addressed the topics of illegal wildlife trade, initiatives for animals and precision in representing the welfare of animals. She emphasized that animal welfare groups must work together to help pets and wildlife. “We make ourselves weak by destroying each other,” she said.

Other speakers at the conference included Joyce D’Silva, the ambassador for Compassion in World Farming; Chinny Krishna, chairman of the Blue Cross of India; and John Wedderburn of the Asian Animal Protection Network.

Asia for Animals is a biennial conference dedicated to openly discussing issues about Asia’s wildlife and companion animals. For more information about the conference, visit the organization’s website.