I strongly urge anyone who cares about animals to think very seriously about how animals play a role in your holiday experiences. Zoos? Wildlife parks? Posing for photos (animals as props), animal shows, animal attractions, animals in casinos, sea world... we've all done it and we've all read that they have the animal's interest at heart, the zoo says it does loads for conservation. DON'T BE FOOLED.
What about wildlife holidays? Is it okay for loads of jeeps to get really close to wild animals- take the perfect photo... that's okay though right? These are not captive animals... but what are you doing to the environment? Affecting the animals? There are good and bad tours and we have to be responsible and consider this aspect.
Born Free are worling very closely with ABTA for the sustainable holiday. They want to rule out the kind of animal attractions we have all seen and dare I say it even enjoyed. But at what cost?
Last night I attended a debate hosted by Donnal McKintyre (in the finals of the ice dancing last year) with panelists that included Patrick Woodhead (Antarctic explorer), Simon Calder travel TV writer and writer for the Independent, The ABTA CEO and the CEO ot TUI the travel company... oh and of course Virginia McKenna with a video link to her son, CEO of Born Free Will Travers who is currently at CITES fighting for rights for animals.
The message is very clear- it's about education. I know all of the authors and I should imagine the readers of GF will consider themselves animal lovers as I do very very much. But only last year I paid to go into the animal exhibit at the Mirage Hotel in Vegas. Sure I knew they were caged animals but I love animals and I wanted to see them. Besides they say they are conservation minded. The dolphins are not performing ones... yes but the animals are caged. The tiger paces (displacement behaviour) and the dolphins live in swimming pools. I won't go again. Not now. But millions do.
And yes I stood and gawped at the lion in the MGM grand. I knew it was wrong. I said it but I watched anyway- why? Because I am an animal lover. Hmmm...
And to top it all on the same trip I went to San Diego Zoo- it's huge, it does loads for conservation... it's okay because I love animals. Hmmmm... these are caged animals and I saw some of them pacing too. Maybe we all need to re-educate.
We think it's great to teach kids about animals... but as Virginia McKenna has said...and I quite agree "You do not learn about human behaviour watching a man in a prison cell."
You do not expect the Statue of Liberty that you are dying to see to be built in Manchester... London... Bangor... you go to it. I think we need to think the same about animals. But if we go to them- we have to do it responsibly.
In a survey by the BBC in 2004 the question was posed what the is the biggest thing you want to do before you die? Top answer: Swim with dolphins. I feel the same. But what Born Free pointed out that even swimming in the sea with dolphins these animals are being exploited and have been trained by food rewards. So perhaps this isn't good either. What sick children benefit from by the close contact with these animals might just be the feeling we all get being close to animals and maybe a relationship with a dog or a cat will be just as theraeutic.
I guess what I'm saying is we need to think.
My feeling is if you can't see an animal in the wild, best not to see it at all.
I was very moved by what was said last night and it really made me think about how this message needs to get across.
Rant ends but it is important so I wanted to share.
To find out more check out http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/zoo-check/travellers-animal-alert/travel-industry-information
And on a nice note Virginia McKenna said lovely things about the book and the diversity of the stories and is looking forward to meeting those of you that will be at Hay! I will upload a photo from last night when I get back to Wales!
Please do post your comments and get some thoughts going on this. Pass the link on to everyone! Debz
