Dolphin shows, souvenir photos with wild animals, and rides on elephants and camels are part of the tourist offerings at many vacation destinations. What may seem like a special experience for travelers is often associated with suffering for the animals involved. The German Animal Welfare Association is drawing attention to this issue and calling on vacationers to avoid animal-related attractions.
“While on vacation, travelers should take a closer look and critically question seemingly harmless attractions. When in doubt, it’s better to opt for activities that don’t involve animals,” explains Nina Brakebusch, specialist for interdisciplinary issues at the German Animal Welfare Association. Many animals suffer from poor living conditions, stress, and exploitation—often hidden from the eyes of vacationers. “Anyone who takes advantage of such offers accepts animal suffering and, consciously or unconsciously, contributes to the continuation of these practices,” says Brakebusch.
POPULAR VACATION PHOTOS OFTEN COME AT A HIGH PRICE
For many vacationers, photos with exotic animals are considered special souvenirs. But what seems harmless often causes significant stress for monkeys, parrots, and other animals due to daily, hours-long, close contact with strangers. The animals often come from the wild or were taken from their family groups as juveniles. In the case of monkeys, the mothers are usually killed. Lion and tiger cubs are also frequently separated from their mothers at an early age to serve as photo subjects or petting attractions for tourists. As the animals grow up, many end up in so-called “canned hunting” facilities, where they are released for shooting by paying hunting tourists. Adult tigers are drugged for supposedly impressive photos with tourists.
ANIMAL SUFFERING CAUSED BY TOURIST ACTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
Horseback riding and carriage rides with horses, donkeys, or camels are also frequently associated with suffering. Many of the animals are forced to transport tourists for hours in high temperatures without being provided with sufficient breaks, water, or food. Medical care is also usually unavailable. Unsuitable saddles and harnesses can cause painful pressure sores and chafing. Elephant riding is particularly cruel, as these wild animals can only be made docile through cruel training methods so that they tolerate people on their backs.
Traditional animal fights also cause great suffering for the animals and often end in death. In bullfights in France, Portugal, Mexico, or Brazil, the bulls sustain severe injuries in the arena and are ultimately killed. Even bloodless fights are associated with significant stress.
