Ethical wildlife tourism: how to enjoy animals responsibly

There are many ways to enjoy wildlife that don’t impact negatively on animals and cause them stress, pain or suffering.

 

We’ve covered the many unethical wildlife attractions that are cruel and harmful to animals. It’s up to you to choose an encounter that prioritizes animal welfare and safeguards the health and wellbeing of the animals in question.

 

Ethical wildlife tourism

 

How can you identify an ethical animal encounter?

Ethical animal encounters are relatively easy to identify once you know what to look for, and what questions to ask.

 

Importantly, these activities always place the animals’ welfare first. This usually means no hands-on interaction; the animals have appropriate enclosures, and animals do not appear uncomfortably confined, anxious, or stressed. Visitors are kept at a distance from the animals, and animals are allowed ample time to rest between encounters. The animals should also have enough space to retreat to, other animals to interact with (where appropriate), and their environments should be as similar as possible to what they would have in the wild.

 

Out in the wild, animals are not chased, cornered or pursued for the “perfect Insta pic.” Habitats are respected, and animals are observed from a safe distance. Most ethical safaris and outdoor treks will not guarantee specific animal sightings. This is a good sign, as it means the animals are not kept caged.

 

Never be shy to ask questions. Ask sanctuary staff where the animals came from, what their rehabilitation program looks like, and what the outlook is for rescued animals. Will they ultimately be released back into the wild? If they cannot be released, what does their long-term care and shelter look like?

 

Sadly, just because people work with animals does not mean they are conservationists, or that they put the animals’ best interests first. Lots of exploitation happens under the guise of “conservation.” Ask questions, do your research, and visit well-vetted establishments.

 

Here are some of the most ethical ways to enjoy wildlife safely.

 

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Visiting ethical animal sanctuaries

There are wildlife sanctuaries around the world that offer a safe, healing and appropriate environment for rescued wild animals. Often, these animals have been rescued from poachers, private ownership, circuses, zoos and other unethical places. 

 

The animals will receive expert rehabilitation and care. They will be kept in appropriately sized enclosures, given the right veterinary care and diets, receive enrichment, and not be handled except by expert carers when necessary. Those that can be released will usually be rewilded in safe, protected areas. Those that cannot be released will be kept in appropriate enclosures as close to their natural habitats as possible.

 

We work with many ethical animal sanctuaries around the world, including Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, where you can see rescued elephants, big cats, primates and others; Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa; Elephant Havens in Botswana which specializes in the care of orphaned elephants; Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary in South Africa; and Laos Conservation Trust for Wildlife, where you can see rescued primates, bears, and many other species.

 

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Guided professional tours

From walking safaris to cruises, snorkeling, dune tours and overland drives, there are many authentic and exciting wildlife experiences that don’t impinge on animals’ welfare. During these tours – provided by accredited operators – you will be able to observe animals in their natural habitats, from a safe and relatively close range, giving you wonderful opportunities to view and photograph them while they live and interact in their natural habitats.

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Ethical wildlife safaris

Humans’ intrusion on animals’ habitats can be destructive, stressful and downright dangerous, which is why you must choose ethical options. Ethical safaris encourage tourists to keep their distance from animals; do not chase down or corner wildlife for better viewing opportunities, and take all reasonable steps not to disturb or scare wildlife – for example, keeping their voices low, avoiding the use of flash photography, and limiting the amount of time spent in the animals’ habitat.


Of critical importance is that there is no human interaction and animals do not become habituated. Sustainable safaris will also be involved in conservation initiatives that support both the animals and the local community. Is your money going back into charity initiatives, conservation projects and community support? If so, you’ve likely found an ethical operator.

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Responsible whale watching

There are few things more majestic than whales in their natural habitat. Whale watching is growing in popularity – but with it comes a lot of bad behavior. When boats chase after whales, hoping for that elusive “perfect” shot, they cause great distress to whales, who may abandon crucial feeding areas and get separated from their babies.

 

Responsible whale-watching tours keep a safe and respectful distance from the animals, allowing them to choose how close (or not) they wish to get to viewers. They never aggressively pursue animals and spend limited time out in the water. Of course, you can always pick a whale-watching destination and view these magnificent animals from the shore.

 

 

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Visiting national parks and wildlife reserves

Many countries around the world pride themselves on their pristine parks and nature reserves. Enjoy hikes, picnics, bird-watching and nature walks while surrounded by the country’s native species of plants, flowers, birds and animals. Some parks and reserves offer accommodation options, including eco-friendly options, and some will offer guided walks and tours so you can fully immerse yourself in beautiful nature. Often, entrance fees go towards conservation projects and local communities who help to maintain natural spaces.

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Eco-conscious snorkeling

Responsible snorkeling is a fantastic way to discover creatures you may otherwise never see. The rule of thumb is easy: don’t feed or interact with any sea creatures, don’t litter, don’t chase or harass sea creatures, and don’t step on or break coral reef structures and seagrass meadows. It’s also ill-advised to touch coral at all – these are extremely fragile living organisms that grow only a few millimeters to a few centimeters per year.

 

Take nothing natural from the environment, but while you’re snorkeling, be sure to grab any bits of plastic or other rubbish you see floating about.

 

If you choose to take a tour, pick operators that adhere to good environmental conventions and responsible activities, and avoid those that offer shark feeding, shark-cage diving, or chasing dolphins by boat.

 

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Responsible birdwatching

Beware in the pursuit of the best birding photos – your presence could be harmful. By moving branches, using flash photography, creating noise or getting too close to nests, you could stress birds out and scare them from their nests, causing them to abandon their eggs or young.

 

If you are not a highly experienced and knowledgeable twitcher, it’s best to go with an accredited guide who knows how to give you the very best birding experience without jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of the animals. When choosing a guide, select a responsible operator that prioritizes the welfare of birds. Regular traffic to bird nesting sites can disrupt and stress the birds, and also attract poachers to the area, especially where rare birds are concerned.

 

 

 

Ethical wildlife tourism


Volunteering at a domestic animal shelter

If you really want to touch an animal, consider domestic ones! Cats, dogs and some farmyard animals can be safely interacted with and petted, and many animal shelters are in dire need of volunteers. Contact a local animal shelter in your area and find out if they need help walking dogs, cleaning cages, or simply giving the animals some love.  

 

If you spend a little time doing the research, you will find plenty of ethical animal activities that will give you your nature fix without harming animals. Read reviews, ask for recommendations, and always avoid unethical wildlife attractions.