If you are a UK resident, you can find the details of the relevant country’s Embassy or High Commission on the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The London Diplomatic List contains the details of country representatives in London, the name of the Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary or the High Commissioner, and the email/postal address of the embassy. If you do not live in the UK, you can find the contact details of the relevant country’s Embassy or High Commission in your home country at www.embassy-worldwide.com
If you are a UK resident, contact details can be found on the website of The Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives. If you do not live in the UK, contact details for the tourism authority based in the country concerned can be found on the website of the World Tourism Organization.
If the country concerned is part of the European Union (EU) and you are an EU resident, write to your MEP. You can find their contact details here: www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/map.html
It is important the facility hears directly from concerned customers and tourists. Many places claim they never receive complaints, so please make your concerns known.
Many countries or regions have specific zoo associations, often claiming to offer the best possible standards of animal care and guidance to their member zoos. If you have visited an association member zoo, raise your concerns.
WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) – find a member zoo or national association at www.waza.org/members/waza-members/. Contact details at www.waza.org/contact/.
EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) – find a member at www.eaza.net/#map_home. Contact details at www.eaza.net/contact.
BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) – find a member at https://biaza.org.uk/members/all. Contact details at https://biaza.g.uk/contact.
Reputable companies should be obliged to investigate your concerns involving animals seen on an excursion or at a hotel or facility booked through or promoted by them. This should also ensure that animal welfare remains an important issue on their agenda.
The publishing company or author of any brochure, guide or book that has recommended the facility.
Tell them about your experience and concerns. Sending them accompanying images may also help.
Write a review on a website such as Trip Advisor. This is a great source of information and useful for spreading the word about captive wild animals at facilities and locations around the world.
Images © Aaron Gekoski, Caters News
Effective emails or letters are short and concise. Around 300 words should be adequate to relay your comments and concerns. Be specific about why you are writing and what concerns you have. Did you visit the facility with your family or friends? Did you pay an entry fee or buy a ticket? If you did, you have the right to raise your concerns about the welfare of the wild animals you encountered.
UPDATE DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Sign up to get the latest Born Free news about our work and how you can help, delivered straight to your inbox.