Beautiful gorilla in Rwanda |  <i>Ian Williams</i> Wildlife viewing in Chobe River |  <i>Peter Walton</i> Polar Bears in Spitsbergen |  <i>Elaine Clueit</i> A Blue and Yellow Macaw |  <i>David Dominguez</i> The majestic Asiatic Rhino |  <i>Zac Kostos</i> Beautiful lioness enjoying the cool grass in Chobe National Park |  <i>Ashley Hewson</i>

Animal Welfare & Travel

Be an animal-friendly traveller

Under the guidance of World Animal Protection, we have developed our Animal Welfare in Tourism Code of Conduct, advocating for cruelty free animal encounters and encouraging travellers to follow the 10 steps outlined below.

10 Steps to Being an Animal-Friendly Traveller

  1. The best animal encounter is a wild one. View animals in their natural habitat exhibiting natural behaviours and do not initiate contact with them.

  2. Do not ride on the back of an elephant. To ‘train’ an elephant to accept riders, they are taken from their mothers at an early age and physically and psychologically abused.

  3. Avoid aquariums or marine parks where large mammals like dolphins or whales are kept in captivity. These environments are very unnatural and cause stress to these intelligent and far-ranging animals.

  4. Do not purchase souvenirs made from wild animals such as fur, ivory, shells, seahorses, teeth, rhino horns and turtle shells.

  5. Never participate in lion cub petting and lion walking experiences, many of them breed the lions for the ‘Canned Lion Hunting’ industry, to be shot in captivity.

  6. Do not attend festivals or attractions that subject animals to cruelty for entertainment such as animal circuses, dancing bears, dog or cockerel fights, running of the bulls and any festival that causes suffering to animals.

  7. Don't take a wildlife selfie if ... the animal is being held, hugged, or restrained, if you are baiting the animal with food or if the animal could harm you.

  8. Before riding on the back of a horse, mule or donkey, match your size to that of the animal and ensure that your weight is evenly balanced when riding.

  9. Only visit and support animal sanctuaries and shelters involving wild animals in captivity if the objectives of the organization are in the animals’ best interests (e.g. re-homing, rehabilitation or release into the wild).

  10. Speak up! If you see an animal in distress, please tell your World Expeditions guide. Make a note of the date, time and location as well as the type and number of animals involved. Take photos and/or videos as proof. Alternatively, if you see an animal that is well looked after offer praise to the owner and tell him/her why you have chosen to give them your business.

World Expeditions has also taken World Animal Protection's Elephant Friendly Tourism Pledge.

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