Travel companies are at risk of being connected to wildlife cruelty as World Animal Protection urges the importance of implementing an animal welfare policy in their businesses.
Around the world, the World Animal Protection charity is demonstrating the reputational damage travel companies face by aligning with exploitative wildlife experiences with recent demonstrations targeted TUI in Germany and GetYourGuide in the US.
Polling data commissioned by World Animal Protection in late 2024 found that 1 in 5 Aussies believe all direct animal encounters and wildlife shows are unacceptable.
Unfortunately most wildlife tourism takes place in captivity and, as a result, up to half a million wild animals suffer to entertain tourists around the world.
Activities and attractions that are considered wildlife entertainment are those that allow tourists to have close contact with wild animals or see the animal(s) perform. In addition to the entertainment being demeaning, the suffering starts from the moment the animals are captured from the wild or bred in captivity.
In most cases young animals are prematurely separated from their mothers and exposed to harsh training, causing physical and psychological damage.
“Globally, we’re seeing a growing number of travel companies move away from captive wildlife entertainment, not only because of the brand risk of continuing to sell cruel offerings but because they see they brand value in leading the way to truly responsible travel,” World Animal Protection Australia, Head of Campaigns, Suzanne Milthorpe, said. “As a company, you don’t want to be caught out as the last people selling tickets to the circus. Travel companies need to respond to the changing landscape and modernise their offerings now.”
:The travel industry plays a key role in steering demand away from cruel wildlife experiences, improving conditions for existing captive wild animals and asking suppliers to end commercial breeding to ensure this is the last generation of captive wildlife used for entertainment.
“People love to see animals on their holiday, but wild animals don’t need to suffer in cruel venues for our entertainment. In Australia recently we’ve seen Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary end koala cuddles, and Dreamworld end direct tiger interactions,” Milthorpe said.
“We want to see more travel companies taking responsibility for promoting wildlife-friendly travel.”
When done responsibly these encounters can play a major role in protecting wildlife and their natural habitats, World Animal Protection said.
In response to the mounting evidence of the negative animal welfare impacts on wildlife used for entertainment, a growing number of travel companies have been moved to end their wildlife entertainment experiences and adopt wildlife-friendly policies.
This includes major Australia and New Zealand based travel companies such as Intrepid and World Expeditions, and global companies such as The Travel Corporation, all of which have implemented animal welfare policies.
Becoming a wildlife-friendly travel company involves phasing out wildlife entertainment from the supply chain and offering responsible tourist experiences instead.
World Animal Protection recommends that travel companies develop an animal welfare policy based on clear guidelines that set out acceptable and unacceptable activities.
Clear guidelines
World Animal Protection recommends not selling or promoting venues and/or activities that offer tourists experiences such as;
- Close interaction with wild animals, such as touching or riding, e.g. elephant riding and bathing, swimming with dolphins or walking with lions;
- Watching wild animal performances, e.g. dolphin shows, circuses, orangutan boxing;
- Photo opportunities with wild animals ,e.g. tiger selfies, dolphin kissing, selfies with orangutans, or koala cuddles;
World Animal Protection is calling for all travel companies to adopt a comprehensive, publicly available animal welfare policy that protects animals. Travel companies who wish to get in touch with the animal welfare organisation can email info@worldanimalprotection.org.au
