More than half a million wild animals are suffering for tourist entertainment worldwide. Some travel companies exploit animals for profit by selling tickets to captive wildlife attractions, such as dolphin shows or elephant rides. Animals deserve better.
As travelers, we have the power to decide how we book our vacations. Booking only through companies that have animal welfare policies and do not sell any harmful wildlife experiences will help end the wildlife entertainment industry. Forever.
Whether traveling near home or venturing abroad, if seeing wild animals is on your itinerary, make sure the venue does not allow visitors to interact directly with the animals (such as bathing, riding, feeding, touching, or posing with them). Look for one of these types of experiences:
You can also look for certifications or endorsements such as: World Animal Protection's Elephant Friendly Guidelines, Whale Sense, Wildlife Heritage Areas, World Cetacean Alliance, and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Home to the first US Whale Heritage Site, Dana Point, California is known as the whale and dolphin watching capital of the world. Here you can experience “superpods,” hundreds of dolphins swimming together at once!
At ChangChill, an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, elephants roam free and get to choose what they want to do at their own pace. There’s nothing better than seeing elephants just be elephants.
With Airbnb’s Animal Experiences, travelers can book exciting and memorable animal-friendly activities. Go on a penguin walk in South Africa, visit a farm sanctuary in upstate New York, or study foxes in Ireland. The list is endless!
A Wildlife Heritage Area is an outstanding wildlife watching destination where local people recognize their natural heritage with a deep sense of pride and play a central role in protecting wild animals and their habitats. In California, the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area is renowned for its rich biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystem. It’s long been a haven for over 25 different species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
World Animal Protection currently has a campaign urging Groupon to stop selling deals to captive wildlife attractions. This includes SeaWorld, roadside zoos, and illegitimate sanctuaries. You can help by not shopping for any Groupon deals (such as massages, dining, or nail salons!) until the company adopts an animal welfare policy and stops selling animal cruelty.
Right now, thousands of elephants around the world are suffering in the name of tourism. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
If you’re going on a trip, remember the Wildlife Selfie Code. Only take photos if you’re a safe distance from an animal, they can move freely, and they’re in their natural home.