To end wild animal exploitation, we must focus on the root cause
News
To end the suffering of millions of wild animals used as entertainment, food, medicine, and pets and to prevent future pandemics, we’re shifting our focus to fight the entire global wildlife trade
The bigger picture of wildlife exploitation
The global wildlife trade – which makes using wild animals as entertainment, food, medicine, and pets possible – is at the heart of animal cruelty and is the reason why we are facing this pandemic.
Governments and decision-makers are starting to understand the threat this trade poses, and it’s the perfect opportunity to make them end it – for wildlife, for us and for our planet.
Focussing on the root cause: global wildlife trade
Previously, a large part of our wildlife work focussed on ending animal cruelty in tourism. Since October 2019 we have been demanding Expedia Group stops profiting from cruel dolphin tourist attractions, such as SeaWorld.
But since the industry has come to a halt due to coronavirus, and companies like Expedia Group are barely operational, we have decided to suspend our campaign against Expedia Group to focus on ending the entire global wildlife trade.
However, this does not mean we’re letting Expedia Group get away with cruelty to dolphins in captivity.
A tourist poses with a captive dolphin
Still working with Expedia Group and the travel industry
We’ll continue to work with the wider global tourism industry, including Expedia Group, to ensure they put animal welfare at the heart of their policies once the pandemic has passed.
We’ll call for an end to all captive animal experiences and will push and support the industry to focus on responsible wild experiences instead, focussing on the welfare of the animals.
As one of the hardest hit sectors, we will urge the whole travel industry to back the global wildlife trade ban. This would ensure fewer pandemics and make the sector more resilient.
We cannot go back to normal
Our demand for ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday experiences and dolphin selfies are driving both animal cruelty and the global trade in wild animals.
A tourist having her photo taken with a tiger at a cruel attraction
The multi-billion-dollar wildlife tourism industry profits from animal cruelty and endangers people by putting them in close contact with wild animals.
Wild animals are already suffering enormous cruelty in captive environments and when crises like covid-19 occur their suffering can increase greatly – through neglect, abandonment and starvation.
We’re desperately urging tourists not to visit cruel wildlife attractions when they reopen after the coronavirus pandemic.
Abusing wild animals for entertainment is not normal and we cannot return to it.
The travel industry needs to act
We strongly believe the tourism industry should do everything it can to help stop future pandemics given the potential risks it creates.
For the planet, for us and for animals.
Join our community to make a difference
We campaign to improve the lives of animals in the UK and around the world. Why not join us today?
Ending the global wildlife trade would mean an end to these abusive wildlife entertainment venues and many other forms of wildlife cruelty.