There’s no denying the appeal of a holiday snap featuring a playful monkey sitting on your shoulder or a gorgeous tiger cub falling asleep in your lap. Tourists taking a “once-in-a-lifetime” selfie to commemorate unique experiences often flood our social media feeds. But the reality is that the cost of these interactions goes far beyond the few dollars that change hands, and there are usually consequences that most consumers would not want to be part of.
The negative aspects of animal tourism are revealed in a recent National Geographic article “Instagram Fights Animal Abuse With New Alert System”. The animal tourism trade is responsible for an enormous amount of fundamentally abusive and cruel practices involving animals, imagine endemic Amazonian animals held in tiny cages, and whipped out for a quick photo whenever the boatful of tourists arrive.
If we knew this was the case we’d likely never support in this way, but most people couldn’t imagine the reality. In response to a wide variety of wildlife-related hashtags that could be searched, for example, #elephantselfie, Instagram now automatically delivers a message which begins with ‘You are searching for a hashtag that may be associated with posts that encourage harmful behaviour to animals or the environment.’ Thankfully they are doing their part to inhibit this harmful online behaviour!
Profit is often put ahead of the welfare of the animals in many so-called sanctuaries that offer photo ops with wild and exotic creatures. Some of these facilities use brutal methods to train cubs or young animals, often they’ve taken them from their mothers at an early age and with considerable violence. Once captured, the animals go through rigorous handling to make them tame enough for contact with tourists. In most cases, these wild animals would never tolerate such proximity with humans naturally.
Beyond the selfie: How to spot an unethical sanctuary
The holiday photo op is not the end of the misery for these animals. When they outgrow their ‘cuteness’ factor and become less of the cash cow that they’ve been, they are often forced into small, sterile cages where they are deprived of the room and stimulation they require to live out good lives.
Insufficient veterinary care could also lead to medical and psychological issues for the animals as a result of their strange surroundings and ongoing interactions with people, all unnatural and inappropriate. So how can you distinguish between an ethical sanctuary and one that puts the needs of tourists above all else? The following are warning signs to be aware of:
- Direct physical contact – Human-animal interaction is kept to a minimum at reputable sanctuaries. It is never appropriate to give handling or photo opportunities to wild animals.
- Claims of guaranteed interactions – Unpredictable behaviour is a trait of wild animals. Interactions with certain animals cannot be guaranteed by ethical sanctuaries.
- Inadequate enclosure conditions – Tiny, empty cages, limited access to food and water, and obvious symptoms of distress in animals should all raise red flags.
- Emphasis on breeding – Sanctuaries that are largely concerned with raising cubs or other young animals for interactions with tourists probably put money before animal welfare.
Conscientious travel and creating memories
Travel experiences that put animal welfare first are significantly more fulfilling. Think about these choices for your upcoming vacation:
- Wildlife watching – When game viewing, choose escorted excursions led by reliable guides that put the welfare of the animals first and cause the least amount of disturbance to their natural environments.
- Volunteer programmes – A number of reputable wildlife sanctuaries have volunteer opportunities where you can learn about conservation efforts while helping with the care and rehabilitation of animals.
- Research and education centres – Respectable institutions provide chances to learn about the preservation of animals and the problems they confront. Look for animal caregiving centres that offer educational talks.
Next time you see a wild animal anywhere aside from it’s natural environment, ask yourself how it might have gotten there. Think about what it’s life is like. And speak out your questions to the person you see with them. Raising awareness starts with a gentle conversation.
A conscientious traveller would never jeopardise an animal’s welfare in order to get a good picture. Choose experiences that put animal welfare first and lend your support to groups that promote ethical treatment and conservation.
Our mission at the Captive Animal Enrichment Project (CAEP) is to improve the lives of all animals kept in captivity, especially those in sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres. We collaborate with these establishments to improve animal enrichment initiatives, push for improved shelter, and inform the public about ethical animal tourism.
We can make sure that our travel experiences are based on compassion for animals rather than their exploitation by making educated decisions. Together, let’s build a future where wildlife tourism promotes animal wellbeing. Please contact us today if you’d like to donate or get involved.
