The Ethics of Animal Tourism: How to Travel Responsibly
The Ethics of Animal Tourism: How to Travel Responsibly
Blog Article
When we travel, we get the chance to get to know other cultures, explore different natural wonders, and check species that we have never seen before. On the other hand, it is our duty to be respectful, and that our actions will not cause any harm to the creatures we adore. Wildlife tourism, like safaris, sanctuaries, and wildlife encounters, is a significant sector that provides activities both for human beings and animals. Airlines like Wandering Trail Adventures are playing the leading role in launching a protest of ethical travel, which is to ensure that animal encounters would be more sustainable and cruelty-free. However, the question is how can tourists tell whether they are taking part in a righteous animal experience or are only being used to earn money?
The Dark Side of Animal Tourism
Many tourist attractions all over the world that involve animals have been established in ways that put the entertainment of humans first and the welfare of animals very far behind. The most contentious activities are as such:
Elephant Riding – In most cases, elephants are tortured through the process of teaching and they are compelled to carry tourists most of the time.
Selfie Tourism with Wild Animals – Many animals are made tranquilizers, held in cages or shackled so that they can be handled with ease for taking pictures.
Dolphin and Marine Animal Shows – Sea animals under the captive usually go through stress, have no free space and live a life that is not natural at all.
Tiger and Lion Encounters – Cubs usually are separated from their mothers at a very tender age then used for paid interactions after which they are either abandoned or sold off when their sizes become huge.
These activities are being promoted as entertainment or excitement, but there is no denying that these actions are a source of distress for wild animals and often they are a driving factor behind the illegal wildlife trade. We need as responsible people to track down and avoid these exploitation-oriented get-togethers.
How Animal Travel Should Be Done Properly
Animal-friendly tourism can be practiced if you evaluate your travel and conduct it with care. These are some suggested protocols to use so that your experiences are in line with good traveling practices:
Look For Ethical Sanctuaries – Seek for conservation centers that are focused on rehabilitation and conservation and that rely on hands-on activities.
Do Not Directly Interact with Wild Animals – A place where you are pressured to touch, hold, or ride the animals, is probably not ethical.
Observe Animals in Their Natural Habitat – Iconic wildlife safaris, like those provided by Wandering Trail Adventures, grant people the chance to view wildlife in a responsible manner while minimizing environmental disturbances that may lead to inconveniencies.
Do Charity Programs – Go for the tours organized by the operators who in turn will use part of the proceeds for giving back to the animal conservation funds.
Economical Green Stays – The greater part of the travel agencies that mark themselves as the responsible bunch, like Everest Yoga Retreat, include the eco-tourism concept as part of their many practices thus, reasonably registering the capacity of the tourists to receive a natural and wildlife happy hour.
Play with Animals the Ethical Way.
It is not true that all animal tourism is bad. On the contrary, some ethical wildlife encounters can be quite beneficial for the conservation of the environment, fundraising for the protection of endangered species, and for the travelers to learn about environmental ethics. Here are some suggestions for responsible animal interactions when you travel:
Whale Watching through Certified Operators – Instead of the marine parks, avoid causing them to suffer by going on protective whale-watching expeditions to see the magnificent creatures in their natural rights.
Volunteer with Conservation Projects – Many organizations provide volunteer opportunities for visitors to take part in wildlife conservation efforts.
Visit Legitimate Rescue Centers – Genuine animal rescue centers are mainly engaged in bringing sick and/or injured animals to the wild and this is the priority rather than using the animals for tourist attraction purposes.