Sometimes the places we wish to visit most can conflict with our ethical values. I want to cuddle a sloth so bad. I’m sure many of you do too. Unfortunately, the amount of immense stress it causes the animal isn’t worth our moment of pure bliss. When they are held, their heart rates increase and they are visibly more alert, indicating that being held by people can be very distressing and disorienting. How do you balance your love for adventure with your commitment to animal welfare? Well, never fear! With a little research, it is possible to find amazing animal attractions and interactions which are both informative and ethically sound. So before you book your next trip, take a look at these tips on how to find the best animal attractions around the world.
Do your research on the animal welfare policies of the country or region you’re visiting
If the destination in your sights features animals, don’t forget to do some research first. It’s important to look into animal welfare policies before you go, so that you can ensure that any furry friends you meet are being treated with respect and compassion. If possible, read up on local regulations about pet ownership as well as laws on animal exploitation or poaching. Taking the time to investigate these policies in advance of your trip is essential so that you know what companies or zoos are dedicated to ethical practices. Get informed now to guarantee a wonderful journey for both yourself and the animals of your destination!
Make sure the animals you’re interacting with are well-cared for and not being mistreated
Every animal deserves to be treated with respect and kindness, so when looking for an animal-related experience, you need to make sure the critters in question are being properly cared for. From taking time to research the organization and read reviews online – if something doesn’t feel right, don’t move forward. My advice is to check out the animal attractions on TripAdvisor. Staff and locals can often be biased toward a location, especially if they grew up with it. Out-of-town visitors have a fresh perspective that allows for impartial opinions. After all, if we want animals around us for years to come, we need to ensure they’re in a safe and healthy environment right now.
Avoid places that allow visitors to ride on or otherwise use animals for entertainment
These animals are naturally wild – from wherever that may be, whether it’s on a savannah, deep sea or mountain. It’s one thing to appreciate the beauty of animals from afar, but handling them for entertainment? An example of a place to avoid would be Myrtle Beach Safari in Florida. It operates under the guise of being a sanctuary, yet dresses its apes in human clothing, allows inappropriate interactions with a lot of its animals (ie: bottle-feeding lions and hugging elephants), and photo ops with wildlife. On the opposite side of the coin, a positive example is San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, known worldwide for its incredible husbandry, fieldwork, and breeding programs. Places that allow you to swim with dolphins or force animals to perform are a no-go.
It’s also important to remember that taking photos with cute animals can take cute animals out of their natural habitat. Yep. That’s right. Particularly with primates, Felidae (cats), and Canidae (dogs, foxes), people view these photos with chimpanzees and decide they want one for themselves. This feeds into the exotic pet trade, kidnapping babies from their mothers in the wild, and more often than not, ending up being left at sanctuaries when people realize how difficult they are to care for.
Is the food given to the animals appropriate for their diet, and sourced sustainably?
Just like humans, animals need to eat the right food in order to be healthy and active. The question of what constitutes appropriate, sustainable food for these creatures – whether they belong to us as domestic pets or reside in a zoo – is an important one. Thankfully, there are now hardworking professionals out there dedicated to making sure the food given to animals meets the necessary nutritional requirements without having a negative impact on our planet. Animals living in zoos and other captivity-based homes will no longer have to eat anything and everything just to survive.