Down with the wilderness

HOW ARE THE ANIMALS TREATED? Travelers are advised to do their research before hiring a wildlife operator and ensure they are transparent in their financing, conservation and conservation activities.

The popularity of wildlife tourism has skyrocketed in recent years as this fascinating industry allows travelers to experience the wonders of the animal kingdom. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), it can make a significant contribution to the conservation and conservation of the incredible animals that live on this planet. Visiting animals to observe them in their home country or region contributes to the local economy and conservation efforts, making it a win-win-win for wildlife, the local community and travelers.

WTTC states that wildlife tourism supports the protection of endangered species. When travelers choose to support reputable initiatives and responsible providers, they actually help generate the revenue needed for ongoing conservation work.

Governments are encouraged to invest in nature conservation as demand for conservation and responsible tourism increases.

In addition, storytelling (it can be as simple as posting on social media) can generate the necessary revenue for responsible wildlife tourism and help reprioritize wildlife tourism over illegal wildlife trade and crime, which has become the largest and most organized crime in the world. profitable crime sectors.

The International Criminal Police Organization announced in November 2023 that the black market for illegal wildlife products is now worth $20 billion a year and will continue to grow, even as it pushes many species to the brink of extinction.

Meanwhile, a World Bank report states that wildlife tourism is a powerful tool that countries can use to grow and diversify their economies, while protecting their biodiversity and meeting various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, engaging tourists in wildlife conservation can inject animals and money into local communities that live. closest to nature.

Stressing that collective efforts are essential to ensure long-term sustainability as the sector is in the midst of tremendous growth, the United Nations World Tourism Organization says sustainable tourism – including nature-based tourism – has the capacity to create support jobs and promote inclusive social inclusion, protect natural and cultural heritage, conserve biodiversity, generate sustainable livelihoods and improve human well-being if planned and managed responsibly.

We do not see cruelty

Wildlife tourism can bring significant benefits, but it also comes with risks.

There have been many examples of captive animals being exploited, starved, severely malnourished, kept in inadequate and squalid conditions, subjected to stressful, unnatural behavior, and more.

Does the Tiger Temple debacle in Thailand ring a bell? Time reported that more than 500 officers from Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) raided the Tiger Temple and discovered 40 dead tiger cubs frozen in a freezer at the now-closed attraction run by monks.

Another twenty carcasses of tiger cubs, kept in jars of formaldehyde, were uncovered. Two adult tiger skins were also found, along with the body of a bear and about 1,500 tiger skin amulets, plus other trinkets apparently made from tiger teeth.

The DNP has seized a total of 147 live tigers from the temple. According to the BBC, the tigers were then held at two breeding stations in a nearby province. It was reported that by 2019 only 86 of the original 147 had survived in captivity and even more had passed away since then.

The organization World Animal Protection (WAP) warns that travelers should be careful about greenwashing wildlife. Many well-meaning holidaymakers opt for ‘captive animal experiences’, unaware of the harm they cause to the animals involved and the potential harm to the local ecosystem and its communities.

Bathing elephants, swimming with dolphins or hand-feeding primates may seem harmless or even useful at first glance. Such interactive activities are often advertised as educational or conservationist. However, that is not the case, because wild animals must be kept in captivity and trained to behave in ways that are not natural to them, and which undoubtedly constitute exploitation.

Suffice to say, unregulated wildlife tourism can lead to exploitation, habitat degradation, wildlife disturbance and increasing pollution through improper waste management, which in turn harms Mother Nature’s fragile ecosystems, fragments habitats and disrupts the natural behavior of animals. Ultimately, these all lead to biodiversity loss.

Mindful thoughts, mindful actions

Responsible and sustainable travel requires people to travel consciously. Ecotourism is a way for people to preserve the natural world while learning about it. It provides a kinder, more thoughtful and sustainable way for people to experience wildlife tourism while engaging in conservation, conservation and protection.

It’s up to travelers embarking on an outdoor adventure to act consciously, starting with critical thinking and asking the right questions – starting with a simple “is this ethical?”

If the experience of nature has no or a positive effect on the individual animals involved, it can be considered ethical.

Travelers may not accept claims at face value. Instead, do extensive research on the nature attraction before considering a visit.

Although the most common thing to do on such occasions is to delve into the reviews of other travelers, Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) warns that travelers should approach them with a critical eye. WildCRU found that 80 percent of people leaving reviews, such as those on TripAdvisor, were unaware of cruelty as a problem within the pet tourism industry.

The WAP has repeatedly warned that if a traveler can drive, cuddle or take a selfie with a wild animal, there is a good chance the location is cruel.

Likewise, if an animal is expected to behave in a way that is not natural to it or causes it any kind of stress (even if too many people are observing it from a distance), this experience is not ethical is and should be avoided. .

In addition to choosing responsible operators who are transparent in their conservation programs, financing and operations as a whole, travelers can use travel agencies to check the attractions’ nature tourism policies and ethical behavior.

Other seemingly simple but conscious gestures travelers can make to make an impact include respecting each animal as an individual, not disrupting their peaceful time with flash photography, buying the right kind of souvenirs, and recording and reporting unethical nature attractions.

Ultimately, travelers – like voters in elections – have the power to make positive changes that can have lasting impacts.

Quoting Sir David Attenborough: “Never before have we been more aware of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about it.”

*This story and photo first appeared on February 28, 2024 in The Star, the Malaysian publication that is part of the Asia Sustainability Impact Consortium, which also includes the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Kompas Gramedia of Indonesia as founding members.