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During summer vacation, many people are not aware that in the pleasant atmosphere they are also accepting offers that involve animal cruelty. In many travel destinations, animal protection still has a much lower priority than in Germany.

Holidaymakers in foreign countries are usually confronted with the issue of animal protection quite involuntarily. However, every person can contribute to preventing animal suffering through their personal behavior. In particular, bullfights, dolphinariums, elephant rides and animal shows of all kinds should be avoided for animal welfare reasons. Behind such tourist offers there are almost always practices that violate animal welfare. The animals often come from wild catches, were taken from their parents at an early age and are kept in cruel living and husbandry conditions that violate animal welfare, sometimes on chains. They are also made submissive using cruel methods. The parents of the captured young animals are often killed.

Elephant trekking

Elephant trekking is an integral part of many tour offers, especially in Asian countries. What the tourists are not shown, however, is that the sensitive giants are beaten with a sharp hook from an early age and are made submissive by being tied up for days. It is always a severely mistreated animal whose will has been broken with physical and mental violence.

Donkey riding

Tourists find it great and authentic, locals earn good money - and the conditions are cruel for the animals. From early in the morning until late in the evening, the gentle animals are forced to carry tourists on their backs up the steep paths and stairs. Lack of sun protection, insufficient provision of water or food for the animals and medical neglect are part of the terrible suffering that occurs every day. In addition to being overburdened by heavy people and collapsing due to exhaustion, the exhausted animals are regularly hit by their owners with hard objects to encourage them to keep walking. Donkeys soaked in sweat with open, untreated abrasions and ulcers on their legs are not uncommon.

Animal shows, zoos, dolphinariums

More and more foreign zoos are allowing their animals to appear in questionable show programs. Sometimes the animals are even mistreated in front of visitors. The animals are kept in cramped and species-inappropriate accommodation. In many countries there are no adequate laws that protect animals from abuse and poor housing conditions.

Photo-Shootings

In Asia and Latin America in particular, small monkeys, tiger or even elephant babies are abused for photo shoots. Many of these animals are immobilized with drugs or their mouths are taped shut, as is the case with alligators. When they have become too large for harmless handling, they are killed or sold on. Travelers should definitely avoid such offers, as they always hide sad cases of animal cruelty. For the animal children, who were often forcibly taken away from their mother, the constant passing around means pure stress. Many of these animals die prematurely due to the strain and inadequate care.

Souvenirs

Many souvenirs from exotic countries that are of animal origin are confiscated by German customs upon entry. Often a fine is due because even if purchasing a souvenir in the country you are traveling to was easy, it could easily be a protected species. It is recommended not to buy souvenirs of animal origin at all, as most of these animals are killed specifically for sale to tourists. Particular care should be taken with "hidden" animal parts, such as carvings made of ivory, coral, shells or leather.

Tips for planning your vacation

First of all, you should of course avoid the corresponding offers. Only when the providers realize that there is no interest in their animal-cruelting “attractions” will anything change. In addition, travelers should inform themselves when booking their vacation and ideally only choose tour operators who do not have such offers in their program. Of course, it is important to tell the tour operators about this. If they find out that this waiver makes them attractive to holidaymakers, they will consciously avoid such offers in the future. Many tour operators already document the waiver in their travel offers.

Text: Jennifer Gasser

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