Animals are magnificent creatures with impeccable aura and fascinating characteristics. It is natural for us to be drawn towards them and find ways to interact with them out of curiosity or love. We often want these moments of affection to be saved forever. And there comes the concept of a photograph into the scene. Memory is saved forever with a single click. Sounds so convenient, right?
But have you ever sat down and wondered what goes behind the scenes of every photograph you take with these beautiful animals? You might look the happiest but all they experience is grief. You may get all the likes and comments on your social media handles and be the talk of discussion in your friend circle. But, this temporary thrill is not at all worth more than the life of an innocent animal.
Wildlife tourism has become a great source of revenue in present times. People pay anything to be in the presence of the rare, glorious creatures. From the tigers in Thailand to elephants in Sri Lanka, the so-called wildlife selfies are prevalent all over the world. The mere idea of ‘domesticating’ the wild animals to satisfy human greed is immensely heartbreaking. This practice is now reaching even the most remote areas from Africa to Amazon.
Animals are captured from their natural habitats to pose for pictures. Crocodiles with taped mouths, snakes in dark barrels. These cruel ways of housing leave them physically and mentally distressed. They are devoid of primary natural resources like sunlight. A wild animal thrives the best in its natural habitat. But, instead, they are thrown away in cages to suffer. Improper housing often leads to injuries, diseases, and mental distress. An animal’s mental health is of immense importance for its proper growth.
A distressed animal might not feed itself properly, which can affect its physical health too. But, as a matter of fact, these animals aren’t fed by their handlers well. They often use brutal techniques to train animals. Many tigers in Thailand in drugged to pose for pictures. These drugs deteriorate their health in every possible way. Handlers often opt for violence and subject animals to pain for their selfish needs. Some animals are sensitive to light and get temporarily vision impaired due to flashy camera lights.
Every animal has its own unique set of characteristics and habits. Many animals like sloths have social anxiety. They get stressed when they come in direct contact with human beings. This paints a picture of the gut-wrenching behind the scene reality. Most tourists don’t even have any bad intentions.
They have no idea about the malpractices brought into use for making wild animals submissive enough to act according to the handler’s needs.
All these practices can be brought to an end by strict law enforcement by the government and spreading awareness among the local population and tourists. Ecologists and animal activists can help the authorities in devising a layout to ensure the safety of animals, as well as the tourists. With efficient planning, wildlife tourism can become a great way to spread awareness among the general public and help locals to earn on the sides. There is always a scientific cruelty-free solution for every problem. One of the primary beliefs of our organization is the concept of the peaceful co-existence of animals and human beings.
You can start by taking small steps like saying no to wildlife selfies. Cherish every moment you spend with them and save a mental picture in your heart. Make sure you don’t promote any cruel practices while interacting with the wildlife. Awareness and empathy can bring a drastic change in the lives of animals around the world. Animal life is no less than human life in any possible way. Every living being should have the same rights. No being should be subjected to violence or torture in any form. Biodiversity hotspots like the Amazon rainforest should be taken special care of. It is home to some of the rarest species of animals. Many are critically endangered today. There is a direct correlation between biodiversity and the sustenance of the planet. This world is full of wondrous creatures, and they must be protected at any cost.
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