It was in 2014 when I first saw a photo with a friend posing with a tiger. Curiously I asked how it was possible to take a photo with a live tiger and I was almost sure that it was a prop or Photoshop trick. My friend responded that it was a real tiger and surprisingly it seemed too sleepy to even notice any of the guests were there. At the time I just didn’t understand, but I knew I didn’t want to participate in something like that.
Since the first tiger photo, I’ve seen more photos with more animals; it isn’t uncommon to go to location and be able to photograph yourself with a live animal. The photo opportunities are usually in tourist locations and includes animals like tigers, lions, camels, elephants, their young offspring and more.
I’m here to share a bit of what I learned about these photo opportunities & why I won’t participate in them. I also include a few safe alternatives that promote the welfare of animals for those of you who are still interested.
Why I Don’t Pose with Animals on Vacation
The animals don’t like it.
I asked the animals and they told me they do not like it — I’m almost kidding. Even though there aren’t many big animals in the city of Chicago, Google allows me to see what the natural habitat of these animals are and what they like to do on a day-to-day basis. I have yet to learn of an animal that likes to sit in one spot and pose for photos every day until it passes.
It hurts the animals.
Some locations sedate the animals to ensure they don’t get excited when you visit. Sedating an animal stops them from being able to properly function and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re safe; it means that the animal is confused and can’t move. Not only is there a risk while sedating an animal for a legit medical procedure, imagine the risk of sedating an animal every single day for the sake of photos. Can we imagine the quality of life for an animal that has struggled for years? I just don’t think that the risk outweighs the reward; incapacitating an animal isn’t worth a photo.
It pays to keep the cycle going.
Participating in this photo opportunity puts money into the abuser’s hand and nothing changes. Even if you participate just once you are further instilling the idea that they can only make money from abusing animals. Their business isn’t dependent on locals, but on you. Your single photo adds another workday to a poor animals life. Not participating in this photo opportunity and not paying for the abuse of animals will require merchants to find other money making opportunities.
If you love animals, appreciate them in a more natural habitat
There are plenty of reasons why an animal may not be in its most natural habitat, but there are a few reasons as to why an animal needs to be drugged in a cage for the rest of his life. Seeing an animal within a zoo (that may not make it in the wild) still allows you to see some of its traits and attributes, but seeing an animal in a cage in a drugged state for the sake of a photo doesn’t give you anything but a picture of a sleepy animal. Unless one of your favorite traits about a lion what is the way that it sleeps, you can better appreciate it in a more humane way.
What You Can Do to Help Animals While Traveling
Donate Money, Food or Supplies to These Organizations
If you want to pay money to see some animals, instead donate to a sanctuary. Your financial donation keeps the organization running for another day & allows them to properly care for animals and their wellbeing. Any monetary amount will help, but if you don’t have any money to give a lot of open to food and supplies. Calling ahead will allow you to know everything they’re looking for and can make sure that your donation goes where it’s needed the most.
Volunteer at a Sanctuary
If you really want a hands-on approach, you can volunteer your time and energy to a sanctuary. Having extra man power can really help especially for the repetitive tasks that takes the professionals away from more important and tedious things to do.
The levels of your participation can vary depending on the sanctuary and organization. Some people may just be interested in dropping off supplies once, while other people would like to live on site and be a caretaker for a longer period of time. Your specific arrangements can be really unique and way more rewarding than taking a photo with a drugged animal.
What to do if You Participated Already?
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
Beating yourself up has never changed any outcome in human history. We don’t know everything, all of the time and it’s totally understandable not understanding the risk when you’re in a situation like this. You wouldn’t expect this to be a bad experience with how forward these photo opportunities are because it isn’t hidden; it’s unfortunate how tourists get funneled into experiences and you need to be prepared beforehand for sure. The only thing we can do is move forward and opt to not participate.
Don’t Boast About the Experience or Show the Photos
If you already have a photo of posing with a drugged animal, my next move would be to make sure it isn’t online. While we understand you had no malice intent with participating, keeping the photo online just inspires others to do the same. People seek inspiration through others’ travel photos and it wouldn’t be long until someone was inspired by you and participates as well. We all have photos that are printed within our home and we have photos that are safe online; this is the moment where we take it off-line and just have a copy at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ethical to photograph with exotic animals during vacations?
It can be ethical to photograph yourself with exotic animals through some organizations, but not all. It’s important to do research on the organization you plan on paying to make sure they’re running ethically and decide how you want to move forward.
What precautions should I take to ensure the well-being of exotic animals during a photography session?
I recommend doing your research before you plan on purchasing anything. Through research I would find out how the company acquires the animals, takes care of them and their plan on how to further help the animals; if a company doesn’t mention those things, they are more likely focused on profits instead of helping.
How can I find reputable wildlife sanctuaries or ethical animal encounter programs for photography opportunities?
You can find a reputable wildlife sanctuary by searching “[Location] Animal Sanctuary” and comparing the reviews of the search results you receive. Another great way to find reputable wildlife sanctuaries is by searching the same term on Facebook.
What should I do if I encounter a photography opportunity with exotic animals in a tourist destination, but it seems to involve unethical practices?
What should I do if I encounter a photography opportunity with exotic animals in a tourist destination, but it seems to involve unethical practices?
You can not participate in the further exploitation of the animal by not visiting the establishment that is unethically treating animals.
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