Animal Tourism – Educational, Selfish, or Both?

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Animal Tourism.  You know, swim with dolphins, hold a sloth, visit Sea World.  It all falls under the category of animal tourism and honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about it.  As a huge animal lover, and someone who loves to travel, this mental struggle comes up a lot for me.  Is participating in animal tourism educational or is it selfish?

Could it possibly be both?

There is a percentage of people that believe it all to be inhumane.  Others feel that it is harmless and a great source of education and entertainment. I  do not live in a glass castle so I will not be casting any stones.

I can only reflect upon my own experiences, learn from others, and strive to make the kindest decision I can each time. How do you feel about animal tourism?

Is Animal Tourism Educational?

For me, the answer is yes…usually.  At least it can be.   Seeing a killer whale jump through a huge ring and make a massive splash in an aquarium…not the most educational in my opinion.  Experiencing humpback whales in their natural habitat in Alaska on a guided tour by a Naturalist, absolutely!

To me, when it comes to education there is a lot of grey area.  When we were in Cozumel, we visited Chankanaab Park.  We had the most amazing time.  You can read that post here.  The biggest treasure of that day was our “Manatee Encounter”.

I agonized over whether or not it was ethical.  Like I said, I always question these types of experiences because I don’t want to contribute to the problem of what could be the exploitation of animals.

I have always been interested in these beautiful sea cows.  I couldn’t help feeling like it was selfish, but I was genuinely eager to learn more.   After a lot of research, I finally agreed and booked our “Manatee Encounter”.

Animal Tourism Can Change Your Actions.

The trainers/guides thanked us for booking and told us that most people booked the more popular dolphin encounter.  They shared so much information about the manatees and we had well over 30 minutes in the lagoon with them.  There was only supposed to be one for our group but the manatees wanted to be together so the second one kept coming up to us for more attention. There wasn’t another tourist group waiting, so the trainers just let us stay in and swim with them.  The manatees were amazing and kept nuzzling us.

The experience changed my daughter. (She originally wanted to just see the dolphins.)  My daughter learned so much and is now a manatee fan for life.  She was already a huge animal lover, like me, but her love grew deeper because of this experience.

We learned that these huge mammals have strong feelings just like we do and need to be part of a family or group.  They are gentle giants that deserve our protection from pollution and for us to be their voice in the world.

She is has become such a strong advocate for marine life now and I’m so proud of her.

When we visit Florida, she notices the Manatee signs for boaters and was actively researching the red tide crisis in South Florida trying to find a way to help.

As a family, we have made other changes after this experience.  We now wear biodegradable, reef safe and cruelty-free sunscreen.  I stopped buying bottled water from the store long ago but we now actively encourage others to do the same.

Does that negate the fact that animals are living out their lives in a small lagoon when they should have open access to the vast ocean? No.  But, if they are truly animals who would no longer survive on their own, then I hope each “encounter” impacts the human participants the way it did me and my daughter.  I hope that it’s more than just “That was so cool”.  I hope it changes their hearts.

Animal Tourism – The Times When You Just Want to Cry

There are many times when we have encounters with wild animals that make me want to cry. Most zoos break my heart.  The circus…never could do it.  In hindsight, The Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman may be one of those times.

We visited the Turtle Farm a little over a year ago.  There was an educational area that was informative.  We were quite amazed to learn that the Green Sea Turtle buries their eggs so deep in the sand. The little babies not only have to dig up through several feet of sand but then have to waddle their sweet little baby selves all the way to the water in order to survive.

Seriously, nature is amazing.

Then we saw the little concrete pools with various sizes of turtles and I felt sad.  There was a concrete pool that visitors can step in and hold the little turtles and snap a photo.  Of course, we smiled, because that’s what people do when someone is taking their picture. I just couldn’t help but think…How is it right that all of these people with their dirty hands are handling these sweet creatures?

Again, no glass castle.  I’m not bad mouthing the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm.  By all accounts, they have done a lot for the turtles and the Grand Cayman community.  But, even though I want to return to Grand Cayman again one day, I doubt my heart will take me back to the turtle farm.

Animal Tourism – The Photo Op

Here’s another one that gives me pause.  St. Kitts, we were up on Timothy Hill.  That great spot where you can see both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.  So cool!  There was a gentleman there with a donkey and a monkey.   You could stand with his animals and get your picture taken if you paid him a fee.

While I admire the man for trying to earn a living, I felt like this was just a tourist game and had no educational benefits and certainly no benefits to those animals.  The monkey was dressed in a costume by the way.

Friends, I’m a First Class Worrier.

I agonize over these things.  Can some tourists hand over a $5 bill and snap a pic with a dressed up monkey while standing next to a donkey in a sombero…and be happy as can be? Sure.  I’m not here to tell them they shouldn’t have a free spirit and embrace all of the funny little things in life.

Most days, I’m a little jealous of that free spirit brain.  But, that’s not how I’m made.  I am made to drive my husband insane with my constant worries, reflection, and questions. 😉

Animal Tourism – The Ongoing Delima

So here’s a question for you.  Next Spring we will be traveling to several new places.  One new place is Roatan, Honduras.  My daughter is anxiously awaiting her opportunity to see a sloth up close and personal. So, do we go to Daniel Johnson’s Sloth and Monkey Hangout or not?

I’ve been searching the internet, reading reviews and debating.

So, tell me. What would you do?

Please share your experiences and thoughts below.

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