Today is #WorldWildlifeDay
PHOTO Tourists on an ‘elephant walk’ at ChangChill, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Most of us love animals. Most of us also love seeing or connecting with animals on holiday.
Much like humans, most animals thrive when free. They form relationships, connect with members of their family and take care of their young.
If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that ‘lockdown’ in any form is hard. Imagine how captive animals feel — they are on permanent lockdown. Given this past year, I think it’s fair to say most of us humans wouldn’t last long under an indefinite lockdown.
To mark #WorldWildlifeDay and help animals, there are a few simple things you can do once we all start traveling again.
“Sanctuaries” — Only see animals in the wild or at a genuine sanctuary. Why is genuine underlined? Because a lot of folks, including celebrities, say they, “Do their research and only go to sanctuaries” — à la Kim Kardashian but a true sanctuary puts animals first, and doesn’t breed, offer shows or give rides.
An elephant doesn’t need you to give it a bath — There is no such thing as a ‘domesticated’ elephant. These are wild animals who as babies have been ripped from their mothers and beaten into submission so that they will follow human commands. “The Crush” is a horrific process that every single elephant who gives rides, performs in shows or allows you to give it a bath, undergoes. Just Google ‘Elephant crush’ — fair warning, it’s awful. Bypass all that nastiness and see elephants in the wild, where they belong. There are more and more best practice venues taking shape throughout Asia and my favorite is ChangChill in Thailand.
See ‘Flipper’ in the ocean — Dolphins can live in a tank for decades, swimming in endless circles or forced into chlorinated pools with tourists, fed frozen fish and often given anti-depressants to deal with stress. That smile on their face? It’s actually not a smile — it’s just the configuration of their jaws. Would you smile if you had to kiss tourists, walk backwards on your tail or jump through endless hoops? The best option is a responsible wild-watching tour like Captain Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari or Dana Warf Sportfishing & Whale Watching.
When you start to travel again, when we all start traveling again here’s a good reminder: If you can hug, ride, touch or take a selfie with a wild animal there’s cruelty involved. Choose another experience.
Full disclosure, I work on behalf of animals in my day job. On this #WorldWidlifeDay, please think some good thoughts for the world’s wildlife, and when you start booking your trips to see wildlife on holiday — just please do it responsibly.
