Travel website Tripadvisor just announced that they will no longer sell tickets to attractions that involve physical interaction with wildlife, including popular tourist excursions like elephant riding and petting endangered species. This isn't entirely a surprising move. This year has been a horror story for the animal experience tourism industry, with a scandal unfolding in Thailand, one of the world's most famous tiger reserves. The tigers at this "tiger temple" apparently lived a luxurious life with the monks and could interact with visitors, but problems with animal cruelty, illegal breeding and the inexplicable discovery of 40 tiger cub carcasses in the refrigerator were revealed. Thai authorities closed the "Tiger Temple" in June. . Luckily, if you're an animal lover looking for an ethical experience on vacation that's up close and personal without causing severe suffering or environmental damage, it's still possible to enjoy the company of animals in an ethical way .
While there is no global certification program for sanctuaries and animal programs that can be considered "ethical," there are various reward systems that let you know that what you are doing is in the best interests of the animals. The WASP (World Animal Sanctuaries) list is one of the most comprehensive, but the animal categories of well-known and high-profile ethical travel awards (such as those presented annually by Responsible Travel) are also worth a look.
All of the organizations on the following list have reputations and awards as ethical animal sanctuary travel destinations; most focus on the rehabilitation or scientific research of animals rather than catering to the whims of tourists. Even better, your money will go toward supporting the important work they do.
1. American Wildlife Conservation Center
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The Wildlife Care Center is a 15-acre sanctuary designed to help wildlife return to the wild after injury or accident. They run internship and volunteering programs but no on-site accommodation, and also have a "Sponsor a Critter" system where donations can be made to specific animals, including fox cubs, vultures, and animals that are injured or used to interacting with humans and may never animal. were released (including the screech owl Nostradamus).
This is not a holiday for the faint of heart; Most of the animals that come through the CWC doors are injured and require serious medical attention, so you have to be good at handling blood. However, especially in the summer, volunteers are often responsible for hand-feeding orphaned baby animals, so if you want to get up close and personal with a rare side of America's wildlife, this is the place for you.
Get more details on how to access here.
2. Wenlot Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand
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This is one of Thailand's only elephant sanctuaries and has an international reputation for its ethical treatment of the animals. If you're in the area and eager to see some of the large mammals, this is the place to go (if you go in advance Book long enough)). It is a sanctuary for abused elephants from across Thailand and deliberately keeps visitor numbers very low to avoid stressing the animals.
Visitors stay on site and are provided with meals, and participate in many different aspects of the elephants' daily lives (despite never riding them), including bathing and feeding. But it's also a hands-on stay involving non-elephant center tasks such as fence repairs and clean-up. These are not pets or tame animals and the sanctuary emphasizes respect and distance.
Get more details on how to access here.
3. Woodstock Farm Preserve, USA
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If you prefer farm animals, then Woodstock Farm Sanctuary will be your dream. There are rescued pigs, chickens, goats, and the occasional alpaca, cows, sheep, and various other farm animals, all of which have names and personalities; they have been rescued from abuse, slaughter, and neglect, and through relationships with Visitors’ interactions are monitored and they live a protected life. (Visitors are strongly encouraged to take guided tours rather than wander around the reserve.) Starting in November 2001, the reserve hopes to provide overnight accommodation to help people stay. Please note that the reserve operates on a vegan basis and only allows vegan food to be served on site and operates a vegan cafe for visitors.
Get more details on how to access here.
4. Lion Rock Big Cat Sanctuary
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Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa is part of Four Paws' efforts to provide a rescue center for lions from around the world: former zoo animals, abused pets, circus lions, and more. It currently houses 90 different lions and tigers in a vast reserve with a three-star lodge attached. It serves as a day trip facility, as well as for holidaymakers, trekking and game drives. If you're feeling extra enthusiastic, they also welcome volunteers to help monitor the animals, feed and clean up a large pride of lions.
Get more information on how to access here.
5. British Donkey Sanctuary
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Who doesn't like donkeys? Unfortunately, these less-than-charming animals aren't treated as well as they should be around the world, if statistics from UK donkey sanctuaries are anything to go by. Their current goal is to foster more than 3,000 donkeys and help 2 million donkeys around the world. (The sanctuary even trains donkeys to be used as companion animals for people in hospitals.) If you can't keep a donkey yourself, though, the sanctuary center in Sidmouth, England, is actually a haven for donkeys, with guided walks and Many people are allowed to interact with the roaming donkeys. They do not offer overnight accommodation but do allow weddings. Just saying.
Get more information on how to access here.
6. Free Bear Sanctuary, Romania
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Bears don't exactly have a reputation for being cute, especially in the United States, but there's a place in Romania that will delight those who just want to help their fellow bears live a good life. The Friends of a Million operates the Free Bear Sanctuary, which is home to 95 different brown bears, all of which were rescued from situations of abuse and neglect (many work in circuses or are kept in cages for the entertainment of tourists ). Visitors are not allowed to approach the bears; throughout the winter and summer, they are given tours in strictly controlled groups, passing through bunkers to see the bears firsthand in their natural environment, and as a bonus, they are taken to the Romanian National Teddy Bear Museum.
Get more information on how to access here.
7. Hertha Huskies, Finland
Hetta Huskies has won awards for the way it allows visitors to experience authentic dog sledding tours in Finland, offering one- and multi-day "adventures" with teams of huskies at the helm. It pays special attention to the ethical care of sled dogs, invests heavily in the farms where sled dogs are raised, and provides information about their training and daily life. These are working animals and are treated accordingly.
If you're more interested in learning the technical aspects of sledding, they run a school that ranges from relaxed day classes and long weekends based on bonding with the dogs, to serious studies designed to get you certified. They also happened to take their sled dogs to see the Northern Lights at the right time of year. There are basically no downsides to the entire experience.
Get more information on how to access here.
8. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, USA
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Utah's Best Friends Sanctuary is one of the largest animal sanctuaries in the United States, home to more than 1,600 species of animals, including domestic cats and dogs, farm pigs, wild bobcats and horses. All are rescued, many (yes, even the pigs) are available for adoption, and you're encouraged to get up close and personal with them in species-isolated areas (bird lovers can hang out in the Parrot Garden, for example). The site is large and offers a variety of accommodation, including motorhomes, in case you want to pick up a pig in your motorhome. It runs a variety of businesses, from internships to sleepovers with a specific dog or cat. This is no ordinary old petting zoo.
Get more information on how to access here.
