Take action
- YOUR report could help us stop this kind of animal exploitation
Visited a zoo or circus? Not happy with what you've seen? Whether in UK or overseas, you can take positive action. By sending us details of what you have seen, we can advise you on how best to approach the relevant authorities.
Do you have information on zoological collections, circuses, dolphinaria, individual caged animals, animals used as photographic props, magic shows with animals or any other form of wild animal exploitation?
We want to hear from YOU and together we can make a difference!
It is vital that the information you send us about your experience includes all the necessary facts. Describing cages as ‘small’ and animal conditions as ‘terrible’ will not provide enough information to encourage relevant authorities to take action.
Photographs or video footage is a superb way of providing proper 'evidence'. This is the information we need:
1. Take a photographic record, either stills or film, this kind of evidence is so useful!
2. Collect as much information as you can:
- Which animals are involved? How many? Describe their condition.
- What does the 'entertainment' consist of? Is direct contact involved?
- Who are the people or company behind the exploitation?
- Is the event or establishment advertised or promoted?
- Who is involved in this promotion? (eg hotels, holiday reps etc)
- Is there literature you can collect? (eg leaflets, brochures etc)
- Who are the main audience or visitors?
- What other details can you note? (eg size of enclosures, any enrichment etc)
3. Report what you have seen:
- Explain your concern to your tour representative, operator and/or your hotel, and send a follow-up letter.
- Also fill in a complaints form and send us the details.
- If you are about to visit a zoo, circus etc. check out the further information below and download our checklist - PDF 46KB
- In addition to informing the Born Free Foundation about animal neglect, suffering and cruelty, please also inform your tour operator who is obliged to investigate your claims. This will also ensure that animal welfare remains an important issue on their agenda.
What happens to my report?
Each report received by the Born Free Foundation is reviewed by our dedicated team and logged onto a database to be used for further analysis.
Born Free will respond, in writing, to the complainant providing information on how they can take the matter further. In addition, dependent upon the detail provided in the report, Born Free will write to the relevant authorities and/or the captive establishment to try and address the concerns of the complainant. Feedback will be provided when appropriate.
Based on the reports we receive, we are able to identify ‘hot spots’ and can focus targeted campaign activities on the most urgent areas.
Born Free also works closely with the travel industry and other wildlife organisations around the world to tackle travellers’ concerns about animal exploitation in the wild or captivity.
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