The hidden costs of animal tourism
Tourism activities, in essence, promise the allure of new experiences and adventure. As part of this allure, many tourists seek opportunities to engage with animals in ways they wouldn’t normally be able to. From marvelling at tigers and chimpanzees in zoos to riding animals, posing for photos with koalas, and swimming with dolphins or seals – these experiences may seem innocent, but behind the scenes is a lifetime of suffering for the animals. Let’s explore the hidden costs of animal tourism and discover steps you can take to make a difference today.
A life in captivity is no life at all.
Animals are taken from the wild and kept in confined conditions.
Animals at popular tourist destinations were mostly captured in the wild and forced into small enclosures. The process of capturing animals is incredibly stressful, as the animals are not familiar with human interactions, are separated from their families, and are transported across vast distances. These industries can also be supporting the cruel wildlife trade overseas.
Captivity can never fully meet an animal's unique needs. Such environments also require manipulation. For example, captivity brings with it issues of creating and maintaining the perfect temperature for the animal’s enclosure, feeding animals unnatural or inefficient diets, altering their feeding patterns, and removing their freedom to express natural behaviours and form strong family social bonds. Each of these factors can have significant adverse impacts on animal well-being and welfare.
Polar bear in the wild versus the unnatural enclosure.
Animals are bred in captivity to draw in tourists with young animals.
Some operations breed animals incessantly to ensure a constant supply of adorable baby animals for tourists to admire, increasing their profits. Breeding in captivity is problematic because it reduces the gene pool, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. Such manipulation lowers their ability to adapt to environmental changes or pressures and makes the animals more susceptible to diseases. Captive breeding programs can produce diseases that circulate in vulnerable wild populations. The animals who are no longer seen as profitable, or as a “surplus”, are sold or traded to other zoos or attractions. This separation of animals damages any bonds between them they may have made with one another.
The animals suffer both physically and psychologically.
Animals used at tourist attractions can suffer both psychologically and physically. Animals in captivity develop depression, known as ‘zoochosis’, and 'stereotypies', which are repetitive or abnormal behaviours. Captive animals frequently display stereotypies due to stress, boredom, loneliness, frustration and the inability to carry out their natural behaviour. Just as we get bored being stuck in the same environment, so do other animals. In this instance, our “fun” activity of visiting the zoo or interacting with animals contributes to their suffering. Animal encounter experiences repeatedly expose animals to unfamiliar people, noises, and other unpleasant or unnatural stimuli. In these settings, the animals are often given no ability to find refuge, which can cause severe stress and have a negative effect on their welfare and well-being.
On a physical level, animals may experience physical abuse, deteriorated health due to captivity, exhaustion from labour-intensive activities, veterinary neglect, mutilation procedures, and health issues from stress. This can lead to shorter lifespans.
Why you shouldn’t…
visit zoos or aquariums
Despite zoos and aquariums trying to mimic an animal’s natural habitat, the enclosures still remain artificial environments and provide significantly less room than the animal would have in the wild. The animals are often denied the ability to seek refuge away from the visitors.
While some zoos may contribute a small portion of their time and effort to conservation projects, the animals who are rehabilitated will likely never be released into their natural habitat. Additionally, the vast majority of animals trapped are not on the endangered list. Ex-zoo director, David Hancocks, estimates that less than 3% of profits go towards conservation.
pose for photos with animals
Posing for photos with animals may seem completely harmless, but studies have found that animals are stressed by the experience. For example, various zoos and ‘sanctuaries’ in Australia offer photo opportunities with koalas. The koalas are typically kept in a tiny fenced area with some eucalyptus branches, which do not allow them to hide from tourists. Being wild animals, koalas become stressed when in close proximity to humans. A study by the University of Melbourne found that the interactions with people and the noise created by the people increases vigilance in koalas. As koalas are mostly nocturnal and spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping, these experiences disrupt their natural sleep cycle. This increases their energy expenditure, impacting their overall health. In koalas, stress can trigger other physical and sometimes life-threatening conditions, like chlamydia, and weaken their immune system.
Image credit: World Animal Protection
ride horses, ponies, donkeys, and camels
Horses, ponies, donkeys, camels, and elephants are all victims of animal rides. These sensitive animals undergo an often brutal "breaking in” process to make them submissive to humans. They're often deprived of food, shackled or tied up, and beaten to make them “rideable”. In addition, animals are often forced to work during high temperatures which places them at risk of heat stress. For horses and ponies, Equestrian Australia states that activities should be suspended in temperatures exceeding 32ºC (PDF).
swim with captive animals
Seals and dolphins become bored and frustrated with their life in captivity. The unnatural tanks restrict their movements and deprive them of their natural feeding and socialising behaviours. In some cases, the dolphins and seals are kept hungry so that they appear to want to interact with people, as they receive food rewards. For example, dolphins swim over 100km a day in the wild where they can explore for food and interact with others. In captivity, they are kept in cramped tanks, where they are forced to swim in circles, fed an altered diet on a set feeding schedule and given little to no mental stimulation.
watch animals perform in circuses
Animals used in circuses are forced to perform degrading acts for human entertainment. To learn these acts they often go through extreme and abusive training. The animals are forced to live between transport wagons and small cages or ‘display’ areas – all of which are much smaller than the space they would naturally need. Additionally, circuses are almost always located near main roads, which means the animals must constantly cope with the sound of traffic. During their ‘performance’, the animals are surrounded by loud noises and bright lights. In NSW, standards relating to circus animals state that they can be given just one month of rest in any 12-month period.
Horses performing unnatural tricks.
Credit: Stardust Circus
How to be an animal-friendly traveller
In 2006, approximately 2.2 million of Australia’s inbound tourists visited wildlife tourist attractions, accounting for 43% of all international tourists. As a tourist, you have the power to create a kinder world for animals who are exploited by the tourism industry. It's crucial for us to ensure that our search for adventure doesn’t come at the expense of the animals we seek to admire.
Here are some key tips on how to be an animal-friendly tourist:
Engage in natural experiences: Opt for experiences that allow you to view animals in their natural habitats, like whale watching or birdwatching tours, where the animals are not interfered with.
Avoid wild animal interactions: Avoid activities where wild animals have been taken out of their natural environment and placed in unnatural situations.
Support ethical sanctuaries: Choose to visit sanctuaries and rescue centres that prioritise the well-being of animals, ensuring they live in conditions as close to the wild as possible, and don’t allow direct human-animal interactions that can be stressful for the animals.
Do your research: Before participating in any animal-related attraction, research the organisation or company and look for certifications from respected and independent wildlife or animal welfare organisations.
Educate others: Share your knowledge and experiences with friends and family. Encourage them to make ethical choices when they travel.
Updated: 17 April 2024