Say No to Animal Tourism: Protecting Wildlife and Promoting Ethical Travel

In a world where travel opportunities are unlimited, the allure of experiencing exotic animals up close can be enticing. (Trust me, I love animals so much, and love to experience them). From riding elephants in Thailand to swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean, animal tourism has become a popular activity for travelers seeking unique experiences. However, beneath the surface of these seemingly harmless adventures lies a dark reality that often goes unnoticed – the exploitation and mistreatment of animals for human entertainment. Please read this and learn from some of my unknown mistakes due to lack of awareness or deception.

Readers; See if you can spot which photos illustrate animal tourism and which illustrate healthy engagement with animals. Some can be tricky to decipher and that depends on the exact people with the animals and their true intent.

What exactly is animal tourism? It encompasses any activity that involves the use of wild or captive animals for the purpose of human entertainment or profit. While it may seem innocent at first glance, the truth is that many animals endure unimaginable suffering and abuse in order to fulfill the demands of this industry.

“Beneath the surface of these seemingly harmless adventures lies a dark reality that often goes unnoticed – the exploitation and mistreatment of animals for human entertainment”.

Countries across the globe participate in animal tourism, with some of the most notorious examples found in popular tourist destinations such as Thailand, Bali, Egypt, Dubai, Zanzibar and the Caribbean. Let’s delve into a few examples of how different animals are exploited in various countries:

1. Thailand: Elephant riding has long been a staple of tourism in Thailand. Tourists flock to elephant camps, eager to ride these majestic creatures through the jungle. However, what many visitors may not realize is that the elephants used for riding are often subjected to cruel training methods, such as beatings and starvation, to break their spirits and make them compliant. Additionally, the physical strain of carrying heavy loads on their backs can lead to long-term health issues for these gentle giants. I’ve seen these elephants in sanctuaries rescued after years of people riding and the damage and deformation of their backs is truly shocking and devastating.

1. Bali: Monkey Forests In Bali, monkey forests are a popular tourist attraction where visitors can interact with wild monkeys in their natural habitat. However, the reality is that these monkeys are often exploited for the amusement of tourists, with some being trained to perform tricks or pose for photos. The influx of tourists also disrupts the monkeys’ natural behaviors and can lead to aggression and conflicts among different groups. While this one isn’t as bad in my opinion, because at least they’re free roaming, it still creates anxiety and sometimes aggressive monkeys who will bite or steal for food.

1. Egypt/Morocco Camel rides are a common sight in Egypt and many countries in the Middle East, particularly around tourist sites such as the Pyramids of Giza, Petra, or desert safaris in Morroco and Dubai. While riding camels may seem like a quintessential Egyptian experience, many of these animals are overworked and poorly cared for. They are often forced to carry heavy loads in extreme heat without adequate food, water, or rest, leading to physical and psychological stress. They are often beaten with sticks to perform.

1. Caribbean: (Also different Marine Parks, Seaworld, Atlantis, etc) Swimming with dolphins has become a popular activity in many coastal destinations in the Caribbean. Tourists pay hefty fees to interact with these intelligent marine mammals, unaware of the stress and discomfort it causes them. Dolphins are highly social animals that roam vast distances in the wild, and confining them to small tanks for human entertainment can lead to a host of physical and psychological problems. They belong free in the ocean and also not chased. There are also dolphin tours in the ocean I’ve seen or heard of that are also very cruel and unethical.

During my travels in Egypt, I witnessed camels being subjected to cruel treatment. Whipped, smacked, and kicked, these gentle creatures bore the brunt of human exploitation. I did not ride them there as by then I knew the sad industry. The distressing scenes prompted me to document the abuse, with the intention of raising awareness by sharing the footage with organizations like Peta and the Tourism Board of Egypt. As tourists, we hold significant power through our spending choices, and it’s crucial to understand the implications of where our money goes.

“By supporting these activities, tourists inadvertently contribute to the demand for captive animals, incentivizing businesses to continue exploiting them for profit”.

Regrettably, I’ve participated in activities involving animals, before fully understanding the harm they perpetuated, whether it was interacting with tigers, monkeys, or elephants. Now, I make a conscious effort to ensure that any animal-related activity I engage in genuinely supports rehabilitation and ethical treatment.

So why is animal tourism bad? Aside from the obvious ethical concerns, it also perpetuates a cycle of exploitation and abuse. By supporting these activities, tourists inadvertently contribute to the demand for captive animals, incentivizing businesses to continue exploiting them for profit. Furthermore, many animals used in tourism are taken from their natural habitats or bred in captivity, disrupting fragile ecosystems and threatening wild populations and in some cases in the future can possibly lead to an extinction of some species.

“The emphasis was on the elephants’ well-being, with no coercion or enslavement involved. Witnessing the elephants roam freely across acres of land was truly magical and exemplified the positive impact ethical tourism can have”.

But fear not, there are plenty of alternative activities that allow you to experience wildlife in a responsible and sustainable way. Instead of riding elephants, why not visit a reputable sanctuary where these animals are given the care and respect they deserve? Many sanctuaries offer opportunities to observe elephants in their natural habitat, without subjecting them to harmful practices. Likewise, there are numerous eco-friendly tours and wildlife safaris that prioritize animal welfare and conservation. Whether it’s observing lions on a safari in Africa or snorkeling alongside sea turtles in the Galapagos Islands, there are plenty of ways to experience the beauty of nature without causing harm to its inhabitants. In South America, you can meet farmers that own llamas, goats etc that take very good care of them, love them, and treat them like their proper pets and if you ask nicely you can take pics for free! 🙂 I also am okay with horseback riding and handling people’s personal pets.

Another alternative can be found in Laos, where I had the privilege of visiting an elephant rescue sanctuary called Mandalao Elephant Conservation. These magnificent creatures, rescued from places that exploit them for rides, are given a new lease on life. Visitors like myself had the opportunity to interact with the elephants in a respectful manner – feeding them, walking alongside them, and even bathing them, but only if they wished to go in the water that day. The emphasis was on the elephants’ well-being, with no coercion or enslavement involved. Witnessing the elephants roam freely across acres of land was truly magical and exemplified the positive impact ethical tourism can have. Mandalao Elephant Conservation’s goal is to help visitors connect with elephants in the most natural way possible in elephant tourism today. It is their hope that this knowledge will spread, promoting increasingly humane and ethical treatment of elephants across Laos and beyond its borders.

“Awareness is key. If more people comprehend the consequences of their actions and the industries they support, change becomes possible”.

Similarly, in Honduras, I encountered a Free roaming bird sanctuary and animal Park called Gumbalimba Park dedicated to saving and rehabilitating birds, and other small animals including various species of parrots and monkeys. These birds were given the freedom to roam in a vast wildlife forest, where they thrived under humane care. I also had the joy of holding injured sloths, which had been rescued, treated, and released back into the wild after rehabilitation. These experiences highlighted the importance of supporting genuine rehabilitation efforts and ensuring that animals are treated with dignity and respect.

However, not all animal-related tourist attractions that pretend to care about the animals uphold such ethical standards. In Zanzibar, I observed a so-called turtle “sanctuary” that allowed tourists to swim with dozens of turtles confined to a small, dirty pond. This was not rehabilitation; it was exploitation for profit. The contrast between true sanctuaries and tourist traps underscores the importance of thorough research and discernment when choosing animal-related activities. I also sadly went to a Tiger “sanctuary” where I don’t know for sure, but I feel some of the tigers were maybe drugged to keep them calm and docile. Sometimes it’s truly hard to know whether a place is good or not. That is why hefty research is vital.

“I am committed to ensuring that any engagement with animals revolves around genuine rehabilitation efforts, rather than mere exploitation for financial gain”.

Awareness is key. If more people comprehend the consequences of their actions and the industries they support, change becomes possible. By refusing to participate in activities that harm, abuse, or exploit animals, we send a clear message to countries reliant on tourism. When destinations witness a decline in demand for harmful practices, they are incentivized to seek better alternatives for both animals and visitors.

Once more, I find myself reflecting on the few regrettable instances where I’ve unwittingly contributed to the exploitation of animals. Whether it involved tigers, monkeys, cats, or elephants etc, I now realize the gravity of my actions. Prior to understanding the harm inflicted upon these creatures, I partook in activities that perpetuated their exploitation for profit. However, with newfound awareness, I am committed to ensuring that any engagement with animals revolves around genuine rehabilitation efforts, rather than mere exploitation for financial gain.

“Animal tourism may seem like a fun and exciting way to connect with nature, but it often comes at a steep cost to the animals involved”.

Let’s prioritize ethical considerations. For instance, when contemplating a donkey ride up to the monastery in Petra, consider the implications of exploiting these animals for the sake of convenience. Unless you have a genuine need due to a disability, it’s imperative to refrain from subjecting animals to sevitude merely to fulfill our own desires. Let’s strive to make conscientious choices that uphold the dignity and well-being of all creatures.

In closing, I urge you all to educate yourselves and scrutinize animal-related tourist attractions. Read reviews, inquire with locals, and prioritize ethical alternatives. Together, we can foster a culture of responsible tourism that respects the dignity and welfare of all living creatures. Whether it’s refraining from exploiting animals for rides or supporting genuine rehabilitation efforts, let’s make compassionate choices that leave a positive impact on both animals and the environment. Animal tourism may seem like a fun and exciting way to connect with nature, but it often comes at a steep cost to the animals involved. By choosing to support ethical and sustainable alternatives, we can help protect wildlife and ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at the wonders of the natural world. So let’s pledge to be responsible travelers and say no to animal exploitation – after all, the true beauty of wildlife lies in seeing it thrive in its natural habitat.