The Altruistic Traveller
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About Me
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
    • Submit a Guest Blog Post
    • Book a Podcast Interview
  • Support
  • Contact Me

The Altruistic Traveller

Banner
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About Me
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
    • Submit a Guest Blog Post
    • Book a Podcast Interview
  • Support
  • Contact Me

Ethical Animal Encounters

by Bianca Caruana October 7, 2018April 22, 2019
Ethical Animal Encounters

It always surprises me how long it’s taken for the world to realise that most of the animal tourism activities we have participated in for many years involves the harm and exploitation of animals. Only recently have animal activists begun to break through the social media feeds to shed light on the harmful effects of animal tourism.

Below is a list of some animal encounters that are far from ethical and involve exploitation of animals:

Elephant riding & performance – Elephants are taken from their parents as a baby and tortured to break their spirits so they are able to interact with humans. The process is called Phajaan, or “the crush”. As adults, these Elephants are chained away from there natural environments and forced to carry tourists on their back all day long, as well as perform tricks to audiences of tourists.

 

Read Rough Guide’s “The truth about Elephant tourism in Asia“

 

Circus performances – Animals are taken out of their natural environment, left in cages and only brought out once they have to do a performance. They are beaten and starved in order for them to perform tricks correctly.

Tiger temples – You may have seen the horrifying finds in the media about tiger cubs being killed, frozen and sold on the black market. Tourists were visiting the infamous Tiger Temple before it was closed down, taking photos with drugged tigers who are kept in confined cages.

 

Read Backpacker Bible’s “The Trouble with Tiger Temples”

 

Dancing bears – Young bears are captured in the wild, separated from their mothers, and taught by a trainer to become dancing bears in conditions of unimaginable cruelty.

Photos with Slow Loris or Gibbons – Endangered animals like the Slow Loris and the Gibbon suffer because of their cuteness. These creatures are captured from the wild and are subjected to having their teeth cut off or pulled out so they cannot bite tourists.

 

Read my article about protecting Gibbons in Thailand. 

 

 

Now you have an understanding as to why I have spent a lot of time creating content for this blog that educates travellers about animal tourism and suggests alternative ways that we can see and appreciate these beautiful creatures in the wild. Here are some of the ethical examples I have provided:

  • Visit conservation centres
  • Participate in safaris or nature walks
  • See animals in the wild
  • Visit ethical elephant sanctuaries
  • Do your research before you participate in any animal encounter
  • Support animal activist groups & organisations

 

 

Below are some useful links for finding information about animal tourism:

Backpacker Bible – Animal Friendly Travel

Animals Asia

International Animal Rescue

 

Articles related to Ethical Animal Encounters

  • Trusted-Housesitters-Loki How to budget travel with Trusted Housesitters - Since 2019 I’ve been exploring Australia using the TrustedHousesitters app, caring for pets and homes along the East coast and exploring new destinations. It’s undoubtedly filled my travel cup in the midst… Continue Reading
  • elephants-biosphere-thailand Citizen Science & Elephant Conservation in Thailand with Biosphere Expeditions - With little research about the plight of the endangered Asian elephant in Thailand, conservation organisation Biosphere Expeditions brings travellers on a journey to bridge that research gap. Working alongside the Kindred Spirit… Continue Reading
  • lions-earth-day Responsible Wildlife Tours Helping to Protect Our Species This Earth Day - On April 22nd we will come around to another Earth Day; a day to honour the worldwide environmental movements that are helping to, literally, save our planet. This year’s theme “Protect Our… Continue Reading
  • Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Maldives | Ethical or Unethical? - My travels took me to Dhigurah, an island that is part of the Alif Dhaal Atoll located in the southern region of the Maldives. Like any other local island, tourists come here… Continue Reading
  • Discussing the importance of Cambodia’s Elephants– An interview with the lead guide of the Mondulkiri Project - An interview with Mr Tree, the lead guide at the Mondulkiri Project, protecting and caring for Cambodia's Elephants in Mondulkiri. Continue Reading
  • 10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife Spotting – Part 3 - From Africa to the Pacific here is some inspiration to visit some of this world’s most marvellous creatures in their natural habitat. Continue Reading
  • 10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife Spotting – Part 2 - Travel bloggers from around the world bring you the insider information on the world's best places for wildlife spotting. Continue Reading
  • 10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife Spotting – Part 1 - Travel bloggers from around the world bring you the insider information on the world's best places for wildlife spotting. Continue Reading
  • Community Based Tourism Gives New Hope to Irrawaddy Dolphin and Burmese Fishermen - How community based tourism is helping to protect the last of the Irrawaddy dolphin in Myanmar. Continue Reading
  • Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol Philippines (The ethical way) - Swim ethically with whale sharks in the sleepy town of Donsol, Philippines. Your experience contributes to conservation and community-based tourism. Continue Reading
Share
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditStumbleuponEmail

About Bianca

About Bianca

The Altruistic Traveller

I am a freelance journalist, blogger & podcast host specialising in stories that ignite thoughts surrounding compassion, ethics and the happiness of all beings. I travel the world as a digital nomad with the aim to promote ethical values and give a voice to those who are making the world a better place.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Spotify

This Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19

incurance-that-covers-covid-19

House Sit & Travel The World

trusted-housesitters

The best undies for zero-waste travel

Responsible Travel (Virtually) with I Like Local

I-like-local

JOIN THE IMPACT TRAVEL ALLIANCE MEDIA NETWORK

Are you a travel blogger / photographer / creative specialising in sustainable travel? Join the ITA media network.

Volunteer Remotely with the nomads giving back! volunteer matching program

volunteer-matching

Find Ethical Food Venues

fair-food-forager

The Wanderluster’s Mind Podcast

Listen to my latest podcast interview with Abby Lewtas, speaking about responsible tourism and accessing inner wisdom.
TWM - Social Bianca TAT

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

FOLLOW ME

Tweets

My latest for @WorldFootprints: #Bali battles a plastic ocean while eagerly awaiting economic respite https://t.co/U58sE849me #WarOnWaste

08-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
I am micro-investing with Raiz. If you join using this link, we will both get $5 when you use my invite code: https://t.co/mTmv1jg3zt

08-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
#ShareTheMeal is the world's first app against hunger. ShareTheMeal now: https://t.co/NzAr8tq5gd

07-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
Could you be the co-founder of a sustainable fashion social enterprise supporting women in rural regions of Uganda?… https://t.co/4eNUAT965D

07-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
Travel Without Leaving Your City: Learning Refugees' Stories through Food https://t.co/wbdVPEWkqh @impacttravelall… https://t.co/Ohtgj4IlrU

04-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Soundcloud
  • Spotify
  • RSS

@2021 - The Altruistic Traveller. Developed by Cybernite Technologies.
The Altruistic Traveller uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows us to keep the content free for readers like you.
This website uses cookies. To learn more or opt-out please visit our Privacy Policy.


Back To Top