Photos with captive wild animals
Seeing wildlife on vacation is a real highlight, but in many places across the world wild animals are offered as photo props for travelers to pose with. To some, this may seem like a harmless way for locals to make money from tourists, but the impact on the animals can be more than meets the eye.
Often these animals will have been taken from the wild at a very young age, and in some cases their parents will have been killed in front of them. With some species such as orangutans, there are so few left in the wild that poaching is a genuine threat to their continued existence. Not all captive animals are caught in the wild though. Sadly, many are bred for tourism, and will never know anything other than captivity. They will usually be separated from their mothers at a young age so that they can be put to work.
And when they are no longer charismatic and cute, or easy to handle, these animals often end up in slum zoos or circuses, or even being killed. Some may be sold on to canned hunting reserves – or to have their body parts used in traditional Chinese medicine.
And we can be reasonably certain that animals don’t enjoy being picked up, passed around, and cuddled by complete strangers, many times a day – it’s likely very stressful for them. Especially because the animals could suffer from pain or injury if held incorrectly by untrained members of the public. Responsible Travel refuses to promote any elephant sanctuary where the animals are used as photographic props. It’s also completely unsafe for tourists to be up close with these powerful creatures.
Wildlife charity Born Free campaigns against ‘selfish selfies’ in tourism, highlighting the stress caused to the animals by being constantly manhandled by humans, and the risk of diseases being spread. If you’d like to report animals suffering and neglect to Born Free please go directly to their Raise The Red Flag platform here.
Why having your photo taken with wildlife is wrong
Having your photo taken with a wild animal makes for a popular souvenir in many resorts around the world. That might be having a boa constrictor draped across your shoulders in a zoo, posing with a parrot on your arm, or cuddling a cute baby chimpanzee. But the fun of the experience conceals a darker truth – that the use of wildlife for tourists’ photos has a serious impact on the welfare of the animals concerned, and can potentially even threaten their species as a whole.Often these animals will have been taken from the wild at a very young age, and in some cases their parents will have been killed in front of them. With some species such as orangutans, there are so few left in the wild that poaching is a genuine threat to their continued existence. Not all captive animals are caught in the wild though. Sadly, many are bred for tourism, and will never know anything other than captivity. They will usually be separated from their mothers at a young age so that they can be put to work.
And when they are no longer charismatic and cute, or easy to handle, these animals often end up in slum zoos or circuses, or even being killed. Some may be sold on to canned hunting reserves – or to have their body parts used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Cruel conditions
When we’re posing for a photo, we only see the animal for a few moments. We don’t see the cramped cages they are forced to sleep in, the lack of proper sustenance and healthcare, the chains and tethers that are employed to keep the animal secure when there are no tourists around.
We also don’t witness the cruel treatment the animals are subjected to in order to keep them placid, and the way their teeth and claws are often removed to prevent injury (to people). Potentially dangerous animals such as lion cubs are routinely drugged, and some animals can even have their mouths wired shut and be chained so tightly they can barely move. Despite these precautions, there are considerable risks to anyone getting too close to a wild animal. It’s not just fleas that can jump across. Parasites and infectious disease can be spread through saliva and scratches, and even young chimpanzees and orangutans can be strong enough to hurt you. And we can be reasonably certain that animals don’t enjoy being picked up, passed around, and cuddled by complete strangers, many times a day – it’s likely very stressful for them. Especially because the animals could suffer from pain or injury if held incorrectly by untrained members of the public. Responsible Travel refuses to promote any elephant sanctuary where the animals are used as photographic props. It’s also completely unsafe for tourists to be up close with these powerful creatures.
Tourist posing for photos at the Tiger temple, Thailand. Photo by S B
What you can do
If you observe animals in poor conditions in a zoo, or abused in a circus or dolphinarium, make a fuss on social media. Draw attention to these places because public shaming can have an effect. The same goes if you experience bad practice during a wildlife safari or any other activity where you feel the interests of tourists and profit are being put ahead of animal welfare.
Remember that unethical behaviour around wildlife doesn’t always take place in controlled environments. Animals are frequently approached inappropriately in natural settings. It’s known to be a particular problem in the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon, but in 2022 in Norway a wandering walrus became an unwitting celebrity and had to be euthanised after crowds of people got too close to her for a photograph. This despite repeated warnings from authorities that were ignored. If you see a wild animal in an unfamiliar place, alert the authorities and ask anyone else nearby to keep their distance, as it may be lost or distressed. The last thing it wants is to have its photo taken with someone.
Wildlife charity Born Free campaigns against ‘selfish selfies’ in tourism, highlighting the stress caused to the animals by being constantly manhandled by humans, and the risk of diseases being spread. If you’d like to report animals suffering and neglect to Born Free please go directly to their Raise The Red Flag platform here.
