Written by Zeldi Smulders

The choices we make as travellers impact not only people and the environment but also the world's wildlife. Wildlife experiences can be highly gratifying but even more so when done ethically. Fortunately, there are many possibilities for having nature-based experiences without harming animals, and that's what it's all about when you are on a mission to become a sustainable traveller. Read on to learn about ethical animal activities you can partake in while travelling — and those to avoid — to inspire your future wildlife experiences.

Unethical vs. Ethical Wildlife Tourist Activities

The Problem

You are on holiday and having the time of your life, so it can be hard to see a problem with animal tourism activities when all you perceive is cute tricks and photo ops. What tourists often miss is what happens behind the scenes. 

World Animal Protection estimates that about 110 million people visit inhumane wildlife tourist attractions each year without being aware of the animal abuse going on. The error often lies in what is done to make animals submissive or prepare them for our entertainment. Thus, ethical issues arise from animals not having their basic needs met while tourists pay for the experiences. That being the case, corrupt industries or those who exploit animals for financial benefit will have no incentive to cease the services they offer if tourists participate willingly.

The Types

That begs the question: how do you know? Is the distinction between ethical and unethical wildlife tourism discernible or even quantifiable? In the first major study of global wildlife tourism, researchers at the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit placed wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs) into five groups: 

1. Interactions with captive animals

2. Sanctuaries

3. Wildlife farms 

4. Street performances

5. Wild attractions

The different types of WTAs received both animal welfare and conservation scores based on factors ranging from the comfort and physical well-being of the animals to whether money obtained from the activity aided in the preservation of the species. By looking at the different scores, a conscious traveller can analyse whether a particular animal activity is appropriate or not based on the ethicality of their treatment today and the steps that are taken to safeguard them for tomorrow.

The Solutions

UNWTO evaluates that 7% of the world’s tourism is associated with wildlife tourism, with an approximate 3% growth in this division annually. Travellers have an essential role in breaking the cycle of cruelty in the animal tourism industry. The best place to start is by learning more about the matter from professionals who have dedicated their lives to animal welfare, especially threatened species. Apart from finding out more about the dos and don’ts, you can research to fish out con conservation projects and animal cruelty practices on sites like World Animal Protection and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). 

Educate others as you go and ask questions when visiting sites that offer animal activities. The fight against animal cruelty should not be taken on alone. With the help of reputable organisations, everyone can do their part to root out inhumane practices. It’s not about shaming people for practices that were once thought of as harmless, but rather enlightening them for a better future for all where animals are not used for sport but rather appreciated for their unique contributions to the world.

The Guidelines

The ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines of basic welfare requirements and unacceptable practices were put together with the help of a wide array of experts across NGOs, academia and industry, including animal welfare experts, with a blend of existing guidance and animal welfare science. Not supporting unethical animal activities goes hand-in-hand with steering clear from deceitful service providers that knowingly promote unethical animal activities. Accordingly, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released essential guidelines that also urge tour operators, travel agents, and accommodation providers to follow the principles of the ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines. 

How to identify unethical animal tourism attractions

If you have trouble discerning what an establishment stands for, ask the following questions to get closer to the truth:

• Are they associated with any trusted organisations or charities, e.g. Born Free, National Geographic, World Animal Protection, and Care for the Wild?

• Do they promise sightings of specific wild animals? Nature lovers know wildlife is unpredictable, and while some wildlife places have a higher chance of spotting a particular type of animal, it is never fully guaranteed.

• Are they able to answer questions about where and why they have obtained the wildlife, their motives, and their future plans for the animals? It is usually a red flag if they refuse to provide information on this.

As a rule of thumb, attractions and activities that allow the following are not ethical in nature:

• Holding

• Feeding

• Touching

• Swimming with

• Riding

• Selfies with

• Baiting

The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) sets high standards for the tourism industry, aspiring to help others assess and select ethical animal interaction activities, particularly regarding the distinctive circumstances of the Southern African tourism industry. A comprehensive animal interaction research initiative produced a guide and tool with a user-friendly ‘decision tree’ that allows tourism bodies, tour operators and tourists to evaluate animal interaction operations. Suppose you want to make an informed decision and only support sound practices. In that case, you can use this decision tree and follow a process of elimination through 6 questions to quickly determine which attractions to support and which to avoid.

Why is ethical animal tourism important?

First and foremost, well-managed wildlife tourism is necessary for your safety, so choosing activity service providers that underline visitor safety is paramount. Large and dangerous animals could potentially cause harm to you, especially if they are threatened or put in bewildering situations by you or others.

Tourism can benefit wildlife by providing financial support to conservation efforts when done right. For instance, Africa’s SANParks is a self-funding public entity responsible for managing South Africa’s national parks, receiving about 80% of its operating funding from ecotourism. 

UNWTO highlights multiple benefits of wildlife protection and conservation, including supporting biodiversity, boosting economies within Africa, and enjoying psychological benefits from gratifying wildlife encounters. With that, the world can also be educated on wildlife, and their integral role in the ecosystem so that the importance of their continuity is clearly emphasised.

Examples of Animal-friendly Wildlife Activities 

On Land: Go on a Safari

Going on an African safari can lead you to different forms of approved animal tourism activities. You could go on a bush walk, which will allow you to see some of the more minor unnoticed details, or embark on a game drive in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a guide, ranger and tracker team to seek out the Big 5 and other rare species. Spotlight-lit night drives will allow you to seek out nocturnal animals. At the same time, many safari lodges offer relaxation with a view from verandas overlooking waterholes where animals congregate. Many national parks and reserves also present self-drive options with predetermined routes for wildlife viewing at your own pace.

Seeing animals in their wild habitats is a truly unique experience. If you are looking for such an experience, you can set off to track black rhinos on foot in Namibia’s rugged Damaraland. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Namibia has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos in Africa, and this is only one of many Namibian conservation success stories.

How about a visit to a conservation centre? In South Africa, Shamwari Big Cat Rescue Centres, managed by Born Free and Shamwari Game Reserve, have two sanctuaries providing lifelong care for rescued lions and leopards from captive environments. An education centre also allows children and visitors to learn more about conservation.

At Sea: Marine Wildlife Experiences

Marine environments open up a whole other world of adventures! Learn what it means to protect our oceans and discover the underwater world with snorkelling, scuba diving, freediving, or other sustainable activities. 

For an awe-inspiring marine experience that is non-consumptive or doesn’t remove resources from the ocean or coast, you can go whale watching along South Africa’s Whale Route. While there, you can then have the opportunity to see a wondrous sight involving a pod of southern right whales breaching the water. South Africa has a network of 41 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along its coastline, protecting 87% of its marine environment. When out and about, travellers should avoid handling sealife like starfish, corals, and sea cucumbers, as they can be very delicate and get damaged easily.

Visit the Boulders Beach penguins near Cape Town to get close to African penguins while they’re in their natural habitat. One of only a few endangered African penguin colonies in the world calls Boulders Beach their home. This site has boardwalks that allow you to look at the penguins as you stroll along (while keeping them safe), as well as 1 designated penguin viewing area.

When taking part in wildlife encounters, remember to:

• Keep your distance from wildlife, and don’t try to touch them.

• Refrain from throwing things at or feeding the animals you encounter.

• Turn your flash off when taking pictures.

• Avoid making loud noises that could be disturbing to them.

• Join smaller group tours for intimate experiences, resulting in less stressful encounters for the animals.

Are you ready to travel more sustainably by supporting ethical animal activities? Part of Viatu’s Responsible Traveller Pledge is to minimise the impact on the environment by, amongst other things, avoiding unethical animal tourism. When you go on one of our trips, the focus is not on being overly restrictive but more on allowing you to enjoy sustainable activities that will be thrilling while being safe for the animals you encounter. 

At Viatu, we believe in authentic experiences that are both memorable and ethical. Book an animal-friendly trip with Viatu today.