Tour operators work to end the use of animals as photo props
Following the last issue of Animal Alert! and the publication of the Travelife Animal Attractions Guidelines, UK tour operators have been informing their suppliers, hotels and animal attractions, that this form of animal exploitation must be discouraged and phased-out.
The Born Free Foundation receives hundreds of reports from tourists about the use of a variety of wild animals used as photographic props in holiday resorts across the world. Such practices are severely detrimental to the animals’ welfare and can also place the public at risk of injury and disease. Born Free has been working with the Federation of Tour Operators to eradicate bad practice; this is one issue which has received unanimous support from the most influential travel companies.
"The Federation of Tour Operators, in consultation with the Born Free Foundation, has developed a Preferred Code of Practice for Animal Attractions in which the practice of using animals for photographic props is strongly discouraged on animal welfare grounds. Thomas Cook participated fully in the development of this Code of Practice and is working towards phasing out these practices."
Nancy Brock
Responsible Business Manager, Thomas Cook Group plc
“Virgin Holidays, as a member of the Federation of Tour Operators, is dedicated to ensuring high standards at our resorts worldwide. Standards in animal welfare and protection are no exception to this, and through our collaboration with Born Free Foundation, and the creation and circulation of the FTO Animal Attraction Handbook, Virgin will strive to improve animal welfare standards in animal attractions and hotels across the World. Our drive to improve welfare standards is a direct result of the concerns raised by Born Free.”
Rachel McCaffery
Responsible Business Manager, Virgin Holidays
The Born Free Foundation continues to work to eradicate photo prop exploitation from tourist resorts around the world. Tourist reports about this and other forms of wild animal abuse are forwarded to interested members of the travel industry. Together we focus on phasing-out bad practice.
If you would like to receive customer feedback on specific attractions or destinations, and find out how you can help tackle bad practice, please contact daniel@bornfree.org.uk
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