International wildlife charity Born Free is calling on the travel industry to back its campaign to end the practice of using wild animals for souvenir photos.
It is also urging holidaymakers to support its initiative by pledging not to take ‘Selfish Selfies’ this summer.
Born Free says captive creatures are being “abused and exploited for financial gain” at tourist hotspots, attractions and zoos around the world.
“Distressingly, the rise of social media and the aspiration for the perfect selfie, or timeline shot, is now perpetuating this brutal, money-making industry,” it said in a statement.
It details the problems in a new report called Selfish Selfies: The Exploitation of Captive Wild Animals for Souvenir Photos, released today (June 1).
The study highlights the serious animal welfare issues, threats to species in the wild, and the public health and safety risks associated with the use of captive wild animals as living props.
It says photo prop animals are often forcibly removed from their mothers and family groups as babies, and many have their teeth and claws removed to stop them biting or scratching.
Photo prop animals may be dressed up, chained, tethered or even sedated using drugs, often concealed in feeding bottles.
Furthermore, constant handling and exposure to sun, noise, camera flashes and crowds can be extremely stressful.
The report also underlines concerns about the spread of disease, as many animals are carriers of organisms that can spread from animals to people.
Born Free urges travellers to not visit or book excursions to facilities that include close contact or photo opportunities with captive wild animals – and to not like or share social media posts showing people posing with captive wild animals.
It also calls for “better regulation” of the global travel industry to prohibit the advertising and sale of activities that negatively impact animal welfare.
“Travel companies and tour operators need to ensure that they don’t promote or sell excursions that feature animal photo props and close contact activities with captive wild animals,” it said.
Will Travers, Born Free co-founder and executive president, said: “Selfish Selfies, the taking of selfie photos with captive live animals, has been one of the least understood forms of animal abuse, until now.
“I would urge everyone to read the report and to pledge never to have their photo taken with a captive wild animal, however tempting it may be.”
Sarah Jefferson, Born Free captivity campaigns information coordinator, added: “We encourage people to speak out when they witness such exploitation and to voice their concerns further with their tour operator or travel agent, to any zoo or facility involved, and to the relevant tourism authorities in the country they are visiting. We need people to take action to bring this cruel exploitation to an end.”
Picture: ©Aaron Gekoski/Born Free