INDIA: Experiencing wildlife in their natural habitat is always exciting and thrilling and people claim it as a life-changing experience. But over the last few years, there has been a lot of cruelty involved with these experiences. Today captivity and inappropriate interaction with animals is an issue of concern and calls for avoidance.
It’s a well-known fact how badly the animals used in entertainment tourism are treated in captivity. They are not fed properly, are beaten up, and are overworked in inhospitable terrains and for long hours. This inhuman and cruel behaviour makes them mentally sick and behaves madly. It also forces animals to lose their wild instincts, makes them rely on humans for their survival, and makes them vulnerable to hunters.
A normal traveler may not be able to spot cruelty to animals as most of the cruelty is done behind closed doors. The traveler only sees what is shown to him/her. And hence, a wildlife enthusiast should as a general rule never force animals to have an interaction with you. You should at all times avoid touching an animal or feed an animal by throwing food at an animal because it is likely to disturb their natural diet and health, and distort their natural social behavior. Wild animals are very sensitive to diseases and you don’t want to pass any of the human diseases to an animal. A traveler should try and avoid watching any performance, entertainment, including fighting, and riding an animal.
Wildlife tourism done right
When wildlife tourism is done right, it protects natural habitats, and on the same hand, it pays more to protect the animals. It also helps support local communities and preserves their cultural heritage too.
As a responsible traveler, it’s your duty to always try and enjoy a positive wildlife experience that is enjoyable for you and the animals. So go out, and have an amazing vacation watching animals in their natural habitat in a genuine wildlife reserve, sanctuary, or national park as it is best there only.
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