If you’ve ever seen photos or videos on social media of people riding elephants and thought you might want to do try it someday, you should know the conditions the animals are living in. Elephants are exploited and abused to be used for the tourism industry. They are captured from the wild and often separated […]
Tag: tourism
POLL: Should the use of elephants for tourist entertainment be banned?
During the episode of “The Amazing Race” that aired on CBS April 24, contestants had to ride Asian elephants across a river in Laos to reach their next destination. “The Elephant Conservation Centre is funded by ecotourism, providing a safe haven and breeding program to ensure the quality of life and survival of these gentle […]
How ethical is the elephant ‘sanctuary’ you’re visiting?
“Many parks advertise themselves as sanctuaries but they are not,” says Maria Mossman, founder of non-profit group Action for Elephants UK. “Never go to a park that advertises shows, unnatural behaviour, tricks or painting – and please, never ride an elephant.” Mossman, who has been involved in elephant activism since 2013, and also organises global […]
Why responsible tourism is the key to saving the mountain gorilla
The sunlight poured through the canopy, casting dappled shade over Makara, a large silverback mountain gorilla, as he cast his eyes around the forest clearing, checking on the members of his harem. A female gorilla reclined on a bank of dense vegetation of the most brilliant green, clutching her three day old infant close to […]
Proposed coal plant threatens Critically Endangered Philippine cockatoo
One kilometer off the Philippine island of Palawan lays the Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary; here forest grows unimpeded from a coral island surrounded by mangroves and coral reefs. Although tiny, over a hundred bird species have been recorded on the island along with a major population of large flying foxes, while in the waters below […]