I pledge to travel kindly
By signing this pledge you are saying “I pledge to travel kindly. ”
You are taking a stand against the exploitation and mistreatment of animals in the tourism industry, to create a more compassionate world for animals by supporting ethical and humane alternatives to animal-based entertainment.
Cuzco's Story
As witnessed by a whistleblower, Cuzco’s life consisted of endless repetition. Each day, before the sun even started to rise, Cuzco was tied to his friends, led out of the pen, and saddled up for a day of giving rides to tourists along the same dusty track. He was what the workers called a ‘heavy lifter,’ which means he is always forced to carry the largest loads.
When he was not trudging along that all-too-familiar path, Cuzco was left in a barren pen devoid of stimulation. In this stark enclosure, it appeared that his mind, which may have once been as expansive as the open landscapes he's forever barred from, was subjected to a mental stagnation that mirrored his physical constraints.
Cuzco's life seemed to be a tale of cyclical suffering with no end in sight. Based on what the whistleblower saw, it is likely that he will continue to give rides until his very last breath.
Cuzco's story is not unique but draws attention to the desperate need for change for these curious and magnificent animals.
It prompts us, as tourists, to view iconic animal tourist operations in a different light, one that sees the suffering of the sentient animals who are trapped, confined, and worked, often until the day they die.
Why should you pledge to not support the exploitation of animals in tourism
Millions of animals who are exploited for human entertainment are forced to live in confined conditions where they are denied their natural behaviours and subject to unnatural situations. Animals are sentient beings and these conditions leave them frustrated, bored, depressed, and stressed. As a result, many develop abnormal behaviours, such as swaying, teeth grinding, pacing, and bar-biting.
An Oxford University study into animal attractions found that three out of four animal attractions are problematic and that 80% of visitors did not recognise animal cruelty [1]. This is because the suffering and cruelty often happen out of sight of the visitors. In some cases, such as animal rides, horse racing, performances, and circus acts, animals have their spirits “broken”, are intensively trained and are forced to perform degrading acts. These acts convey the idea that animals exist for human entertainment. There are also concerns relating to the capture of wild animals, breeding, use of drugs, handling, overworking them, offering no retirement, and lack of transparency.
By taking the pledge, you are joining thousands of compassionate people in helping create a kinder world for animals.
“We have this fundamental responsibility to not take advantage of animals who have no control over whether or not they live with humans.”