Ethical Animal Tourism
When you’re traveling to an exotic locale and want to see some animals and have an experience with them, it is easy to do a quick Google search and pick (usually) the cheapest one with the “greatest,” most up-close encounter with animals.
If done right, wildlife tourism can have a great impact in conservation and protection of animals, bringing much needed funds that can be used to restore wildlife population, increase efforts against poaching, protecting the animals’ habitat, help in maintaining the population and even in creating awareness.
Unfortunately, most animal encounters around the world are far from being ethical, and most tourists engage in activities that seem harmless, but end up having a terrible impact on the wellbeing of animals - which, most animals involved in animal tourism, have very high levels of emotionality (elephants, whales, dolphins, etc.).
While many of us think since the animals aren’t showing an overt signs of cruelty or abuse, that it’s ethical and fair. However, many encounters aren’t ethical. For example, when I was younger I engaged in a dolphin excursion at Discovery Cove, part of Seaworld. To this day, I feel horrible engaging in this practice and have since really tried to do my part to do proper research before participating in any excursions or activities that involve animals.
What is Ethical Animal Tourism?
The entire point of ethical animal tourism is to ensure that the animals involved in the encounter are treated humanely. This means that you, as a tourist and a visitor, can observe animals and even interact with them in ways that don’t impact their welfare. The other goal is to raise funds for the protection and conservation of said animals, as well as raising awareness on more common issues the animals may be facing; such as, poaching, pollution, deforestation, etc.
An animal sanctuary can only be deemed ethical if the animals there live in an environment that is as similar as it can be to their natural habitat - including presence and interaction with other animals, feeding patterns, climate, etc.
How to identify unethical animal tourism
All countries around the world are involved in unethical animal tourism to an extent. Usually, animal tourism will use the term “sanctuary” to trick tourists into thinking the animals are taken care of or being safeguarded. However, I implore you to really research if these companies are actual sanctuaries.
Mike Huxley, of Bemused Backpacker, says “A huge amount of greenwashing is employed to prey on the naivety of tourists and travelers alike who think it is okay to ride on an elephants back, get a selfie with a tiger, cuddle a baby orangutan or swim with a dolphin, despite all the evidence that states these actions cause irreparable harm to the animals involved.
Unfortunately too many people put their desire for a once in a lifetime experience with their favorite animal above any ethical concerns, and are either unaware of, or don’t care about the abuse and exploitation that occurs just so these wildlife tourism companies can turn a profit.”
Here are some activities you shouldn’t engage in:
Riding an elephant
Most animal encounters with elephants are not ethical - there is no way around it. Elephants are highly emotional and social creatures with deep bonds to those in their pack.
People who run the “sanctuaries” use a method called “the crush",” where they break the elephants’ spirit in order to more easily control them. They will use a metal hook to superficially stab the elephant (usually in their forehead) to make them break quicker and more easily. They are then confined in small cages or pits, so small that they can’t move around. Finally, they are tortured and beaten constantly for a long period of time with bull hooks, bamboo stick and even cattle prods. Elephants are starved, they are not allowed to sleep, they are tortured and abused both mentally and physically. Any elephant seen carrying a human has been through this process.
Elephants are also not built to carry humans. There is plenty of research to show it causes lasting damage to their spine - not to mention the saddles they wear cause problems with their skin and tissue.
Selfies with tigers, lions, etc.
If you see an opportunity to take a photo with a tiger - whether full-grown or a cub, it all involves some level of a drug being administered to the animal.
One of the most famous tiger “sanctuaries” in Thailand, supposedly run by monks in an effort to reintroduce tigers to the wild, had a post written by National Geographic. The journalist said that the tigers were “beaten, fed poorly, in need of veterinary care, and housed in small concrete cages with little opportunity for exercise or time outdoors,” and that they were likely drugged so that they wouldn’t be aggressive and the visitors would be able to pet or take the unmissable selfie without risking their life. She even mentioned the sale of tigers to the Chinese black market where they’d be used to extract a little bit of everything.
Swimming with sharks or whales in their natural environment:
While this seems like a better option, and while I personally would love to see a shark in their natural habitat, the practice of “chumming” the water, or dropping loads of fish and food into the water to attract them closer, is having a detrimental impact on these animals. It changes their migratory patterns, which may alter their breeding habits.
Safaris:
if done right, a safari can be a fantastic way of seeing animals in an ethical way! However, do your research (if you’re unsure, reach out to me and I can help!) on how many vehicles are allowed in the parks at any given time, and how you are engaging with the animals.
Although some may argue that trophy hunting can have a positive impact on local communities and on the maintenance of the delicate environmental balance of a place, as well as being a deterrent to poachers, I fail to see its purpose and to be it remains unethical animal tourism.
Turtle Hatch Watching:
The main thing with watching turtles hatching is to ensure the tourists observing the turtles get a proper introduction to ensure there is no flash photography and no light, no loud talking, and to keep your distance. This is so important to ensure there is minimal impact on the turtles hatching and making their way to the ocean.
Swimming with dolphins/whale encounters:
If you’re in America, this is probably the most likely animal encounter you’ve experienced. I’m guilty of participating in this.
Dolphins, like elephants, are highly social and emotional animals. Dolphins are trained to follow trainer instructions, and if they don’t comply, they are often starved or experience some kind of punishment.
A Few Tips for Ethical Tourism
A golden rule for ethical animal tourism is if an animal is involved in the attraction, it’s likely inhumane on the animals and thus something you shouldn’t engage in.
If you do want to see animals in the wild, the proper wild, do your research to ensure the tour is done in a wholly ethical, responsible, and safe manner. We all have access to the internet and the same information so there really is no excuse to be participating in these practices.
What to look for
Make sure to research before you travel; take the time to educate yourselves on the issues involved; don’t support organizations that profit from animal cruelty and abuse; and instead search out and support the truly responsible wildlife tourism activities.
Read online reviews
Observe photos - keep an eye out for chains or cages, try to see if the animals have clear access to food, water, and shade.
Read about the organization - Make yourself acquainted with the organization’s mission, their numbers, their funds. See what activities they offer. Check if they work with local authorities to protect wildlife and the environment. See if they give back to local communities; if they invest in raising awareness. Ask them questions, talk to them: are they transparent? Are they obviously working to protect animals? Are you still unsure? A plain Google search name of the organization + animal cruelty may bring out some surprising results.
At the end of the day, ask yourself if the animals behave like this in their natural environment, and who is gaining from the activity.
Some may argue that local communities still need to exploit animals to make a living – but it’s actually the other way around. Local communities can still earn a living and the tourism industry profit if attractions involving the use of animals are run in an ethical way, that emphasizes the need of caring for them and if they actually offer tourists the chance to interact in an actually constructive way.