A banner showing a dolphin, an elephant, a monkey and a tiger

Wildlife Friendly Travel

An estimated 110 MILLION people visit cruel wildlife attractions every year. Don’t be one of them.

Wild animals have a right to a wild life.

More than half a million wild animals are suffering for tourist entertainment worldwide. Some travel companies exploit animals for profit by selling tickets to captive wildlife attractions, such as dolphin shows or elephant rides. Animals deserve better.

Together we can end the wildlife entertainment industry. Forever.

Companies with policies that protect wild animals.

Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, The Travel Company

Don’t book with these companies.

What to look for

Whether traveling near home or venturing abroad, if seeing wild animals is on your itinerary make sure the venue does not allow visitors to interact directly with the animals, such as bathing, riding, feeding, touching, or posing with them. Look for one of these types of experiences:

Genuine wildlife sanctuaries--rehabilitation facilities and rescue centers that have the highest possible standards of animal care and where there is no breeding for commercial purposes.

Responsible wildlife watching--where tourists observe animals in their natural environment from a safe and respectful distance without luring or chasing them or in other ways interrupting their natural behaviors.

Organizations and certifications

Look for sanctuaries and operators certified or endorsed by these organizations.

Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Elephant Friendly Guidelines, World Cetacean Alliance

Tell Groupon to do better!

SAY NO TO GROUPON.

World Animal Protection currently has a campaign urging Groupon to stop selling deals to captive wildlife attractions.

Groupon does not ban direct interactions with wild animals.
Groupon does not ban holding marine mammals in captivity for entertainment purposes.
Groupon does not ban using wild animals as props for selfies.
Groupon has not implemented animal welfare policies.

Urge Groupon to protect animals, not exploit them by leaving a comment on its LinkedIn.

World Animal Protection’s travel recommendations

Dana Point, California

Home to the first US Whale Heritage Site, Dana Point, California is known as the whale and dolphin watching capital of the world. Here you can experience “superpods,” hundreds of dolphins swimming together at once!

ChangChill

At ChangChill, an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, elephants roam free and get to choose what they want to do at their own pace. There’s nothing better than seeing elephants just be elephants.

Airbnb Animal Experiences

With Airbnb’s Animal Experiences, travelers can book exciting and memorable animal-friendly activities. Go on a penguin walk in South Africa, visit a farm sanctuary in upstate New York, or study foxes in Ireland. The list is endless!