Gone are the days when Kings would hunt down majestic animals in the wild and possess them as trophies. Animals in general, and wild animals in particular receive much protection from all quarters. However, we are nowhere near the desired norms of animal welfare for the society as a whole. Undoubtedly, animals contribute immensely to our environment, economy and happiness. But do we care enough? Let’s take the case of animals in tourism industry. At many tourist destinations, natural sites or otherwise, animals give joy to the tourists while providing their managers/ owners economic opportunities. But unfortunately, for all their contributions, they receive only undesirable working conditions and most of the times, physical harassment!
Abuse of animals in tourism industry is quite rampant across the globe raising the concerns on ethical treatment of animals. The spectrum encompasses complete ban of use of animals in tourism to making legal provisions for standards of ethical treatment.
At the same time, there’s a large population that depends on the animals in tourism for their livelihoods. So, the real question is how do we balance ethics with economics. How do we treat the animals in tourism ethically without compromising the livelihoods of the poor. How do we incorporate animal welfare as an integral part of responsible travel practices. This is what we are going to discuss in this article.
The irony:
People love animals, but eat them also! Such an irony! But human beings are this way only. Our society and our lives are full of dichotomies and ironies. This is as much true in the case of use of animals in tourism as in any other sphere of life. When we are travelling, we all love to engage with animals to certain extent. However, without realizing many a times, we are harming them and promoting their exploitation.
My observations, reflections and realization
Recently, I visited the Corbett National Park, also a popular tiger reserve in India. Since I love staying in villages, I chose a little homestay in the core area of Corbett. While having a conversation with the villagers in the evening, they showed me several grueling encounters of people and tigers. They told me the horrific stories of how tigers are attacking humans around the villages now. This got me thinking. I thought to myself, am I anyway contributing to this human-animal conflict? Unfortunately, the answer was sort of yes, just by being a tourist seeking to see a tiger deep inside the jungle.
However, this is not the first time this kind of thought has bothered me. A few years ago, I took a picture with a tiger inside its enclosure in Pattaya, Thailand. How could a predator like tiger was so benign, I thought. Taking elephant rides across the national parks in India is absolutely common. To be honest, I have done it many times. And then of course, the omnipresent camels and horses! While these are fun for the tourists, I realize, it’s not always fun for the animals.
Why do I talk about it?
Though I would not categorize myself as an ‘animal lover’, I certainly care for them. As I said above, in the past, I have been guilty of irresponsible behaviour towards animals. But as I travel more and more, I realize and understand the welfare issues of animals in tourism industry. Especially because I have started observing and imbibing responsible tourism practices myself.
For me, first came the observations, then the reflections and then, the realization. Hence, I have decided to be more thoughtful in my actions while engaging with animal- based tourism and also create awareness around the subject among fellow travellers.
(To read on more of my thoughts on wildlife, check out: Rhinos of Kaziranga}
Animals in Tourism: General scene across the globe
In a narrow sense, animals in tourism include direct interactions (like riding, feeding, etc) with domesticated animals like camels, horses, cows, dogs, cats, birds, etc. Tourists riding camels, horses and elephants is quite a common sight across Asia. Shows involving cats, dogs and birds are also prevalent across tourist destinations. {If you are fond of cats, here’s an interesting reference: The Cat Movie Archive}.
But this is only a fraction of the total use of animals in tourism industry. In a broad sense, animals in tourism include wildlife tourism involving tigers, lions, elephants, monkeys, deer, zebras, giraffes, etc. Though no accurate data is available on its exact extent, estimates suggest that between 20- 40% of all international tourism involves wildlife tourism. And its on the rise. Across the globe, from Asia to Africa and South America National Parks are under tremendous pressure to cater to the growing needs of/ opportunities coming from the tourism industry.
The entire continent of Africa sells its tourism on the basis of its wildlife (lions, zebras, giraffes, etc) and National Parks. From Kruger (South Africa) to Serengeti (Tanzania) and Masai Mara (Kenya), wildlife tourism is a big draw. Similarly, Asia is big on its elephants, rhinos, tigers and pandas.
Issues with animals in tourism, especially wildlife:
Let me draw the point through some examples. A decade ago, I used to visit the buffer zone of Gir National Park (a sanctuary for Asiatic Lions) in Gujarat. I would often hear locals talking about use of buffaloes as live baits for commercial tourism purposes. Though it was banned by the Gujarat High Court in year 2000, the practice was quite prevalent in the surrounding villages. As late as 2021, a case of a buffalo tied to a tree eaten live by a lion and seen by tourists got viral on social media and led to a huge public outcry. Since then, though the practice is being strictly monitored, you never know!
When we visited Chiang Mai (Thailand), we wanted to visit some elephant sanctuaries. But soon, we realized that most of the sanctuaries treat their elephants harshly for training purpose.
Other issues of wildlife tourism include poor living conditions, disruption of natural processes, familiarity with human beings leading to animals entering villages without fear, etc.
The good part:
Notwithstanding all the adverse impact, wildlife tourism has one interesting positive impact as well. Since the demand for wildlife tourism has increased manifold, the total revenues coming from it has outweighed the revenues coming from illegal trading of animal/ their body-parts. This has encouraged local communities to take care of the wildlife and not engage in illegal hunting. {To know more, read: Benefits of wildlife tourism}
Animals in Tourism: Ethics Vs. Economics
The issues of animals in tourism is multi-layered and nuanced. Much like the issue of child labour, it’s often of ‘how’ and not of ‘whether’. It’s a fact that animals are often misused and illtreated in the tourism industry. Over the years, animals rights (to life and liberty) movement has gained momentum. More than the ethics movement, a consensus has been built around animal welfare movement. Therefore, the ethics in animal-based tourism is not a question anymore.
However, it’s equally true that animals in tourism provide livelihoods to a large number of people, especially in poor/ developing countries of Asia and Africa. If at desert destinations, local communities use camels, zoos provide jobs, safaris provide variety of earning opportunities and domesticated horses are seen everywhere. Economically, animals in tourism enrich individuals, communities, organizations and governments. Looking at their usefulness, I cannot imagine if animals are going away from tourism industry anytime soon. In short, till the time people can consume animals as food, they can also use them to earn their livelihoods.
Hence, the real question is how do we ensure there’s a balance between ‘ethics’ and ‘economics’.
The balancing act:
In my view, the balance between ethics and economics in use of animals in tourism industry can come through two basic ways: awareness and regulation. The key is to create sustained awareness among all the stakeholders without undermining local livelihoods.
Economics is important and it drives people to do or not do things. Hence, economic opportunities must not suffer. At the same time, not everything can be done through awareness campaigns. Again because of economic reasons. There would always be rogue elements and vested interests. In such matters, appropriate regulation must be put in place by the government as part of its efforts towards sustainable tourism.
Ethical treatment of animals for sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism aims at making tourism beneficial for all stakeholders without compromising the needs of future generations. Quite obviously, animals in tourism are a major stakeholder here. Therefore, animal welfare is an integral part of any effort to make tourism sustainable. However, achieving that balance between ethics and economics is nevertheless, easier said than done. Let’s discuss some of the measures that can lead to better conditions for the animals in tourism.
Promoting welfare of animals through Responsible Tourism:
The part of sustainable tourism that seeks to educate and put the onus on the travellers/ tourists, is called Responsible Tourism. Among other things, it encompasses initiatives to improve the natural ecosystem that includes welfare of animals in tourism as well.
- Avoid visiting captive sanctuaries and zoos for wildlife. Because animals are often kept in poor conditions and are trained through cruel methods.
- Whether in zoos or outside, one must resist the temptation of feeding the animals. Because, without realizing, we are passing on our own diseases and bad food to them for which their body isn’t ready. Though it’s written everywhere, people hardly pay heed.
- It’s better to observe wildlife in their own natural habitat from a non-intrusive distance rather than interacting with them. Even if there’s a chance, one should avoid touching or riding them.
- However, some responsible travellers have started avoiding camel rides and horse rides as well. However, I have my reservations here. These rides generally benefit poor local unemployed people. They take care of their animals whatever way they can. So, I would not avoid these rides for the sake of animal welfare. As long as humans consume animals for food and keep domestic animals for pleasure, they can also use animals for pleasure rides.
Educating local communities:
In meaningful ways, organizations and governments should educate and spread awareness among local communities at tourist destinations about the need for animal welfare. I have not seen many such initiatives anywhere. Though there are awareness campaigns for wild animals, somehow, people forget the welfare of domesticated animals in tourism such as camels and horses.
However, awareness will work only if the authorities also share the benefits of tourism with them or facilitate their earnings.
Regulatory Measures by the Government:
- In spite of policies and measures, sanctuaries and zoos often are careless about welfare of animals in tourism. On a recent visit to a National Park, I saw the tourist guide allowing tourists to take mobile- pictures inside the sanctuary, in spite of a ban by the Supreme Court. So, the authorities must be more vigilant.
- Rationing number of visitors/ vehicles per day inside sanctuaries/ National Parks. In fact, it’s already happening. Now-a-days, I’m happy to see this happening across major national parks across India.
- Government must ban all direct interactions with wild animals like touching, feeding, cuddling, shows/ performances, taking selfie with animals, etc.
- {For further reading on government’s role in sustainable tourism, see: Sustainable Tourism and Government}.
Case studies on responsible use of animals in tourism
In spite of all the concerns around the state of animals in tourism, the good news is that there are many great initiatives taking shape showing way to others. So, let’s discuss a few of them from different parts of the globe.
1. Elephant Nature Park, Chinag Mai:
When we visited Chiang Mai a few years ago, we heard about elephant sanctuaries, more than 20 of them. But due to paucity of time, we couldn’t visit one. Among the most renowned ones is Elephant Nature Park, established in the 1990s by a conservationist- Lek Chailert.
It focuses on rescuing old and injured elephants from circuses, other unethical sanctuaries or from the jungle and give them caring in a safe space. They give them no training whatsoever, nor do they engage them in any shows/ performances. As a visitor one can observe the elephants in their natural environnment from a safe distance.
2. South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA):
With three sanctuaries in its fold, SAASA is leading efforts to promote responsible tourism, especially involving the animals. They educate the tourists on why petting, and direct interaction with wild animals as if they are domestic animals, is irresponsible behaviour.
They have modelled their activities on the concept of “Eden Syndrome”- the practice of re-wilding animals in semi-wild spaces in their natural environment and free from artificial workload.
3. Nam Nern Night Safari, Laos:
This is a very interesting and unique sustainable tourism practice in Laos. In order to protect the tigers and their prey, they devised an economic method. When the locals in the peripheral villages sight some wildlife, they can report it to the guides. In turn, they can win some rewards. This incentivization has resulted in people caring for conservation rather than hunting wildlife. Since the populace includes potential poachers as well, the initiative has paid rich dividend.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s high time, we cared for our animals in tourism who help us earn money and give us immense joy as well. From awareness to regulations, everything can help. But most importantly, we must do our bit, however small it maybe.
Business speaks louder than education. So, demand generation is important. More demand coming from tourists for experiences that involve respect towards animals in tourism, more the providers will be interested in these things.
Last, but not the least, do report to the authorities if you see someone treating the animals cruelly. Awareness and action can go a long way. If you agree, do share your thoughts and ideas with me in the comments section.
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