Animal Abuse Alert: Tips for Overseas Travelers

by Lynette Shanley, IPPL Representative, Australia
December 2004

When traveling overseas, you may encounter animal situations that are very unfamiliar from what you are used to at home. Many individuals have returned home upset because of animal abuse they have witnessed on their travels - and because they felt there was nothing they could do about it. But you can prepare yourself for such experiences and be ready to take appropriate action. Below are some tips for a safe and humane travel adventure. We ask all members to keep these points in mind when vacationing and ask that you pass these tips on to your friends.

These Barbary macaques were observed at the Jemaa el Fna Square in Marrakech, Morocco. They were performing tricks and being abused. They were photographed by an alert IPPL member. This enabled us to protest to Moroccan authorities.

Before you leave on your trip

1. Let your travel agent know you do not want any literature promoting animal performances or spectacles, such as bull fighting or circuses. Explain politely your reasons for this.
2. Check with the travel agent that the management of the accommodation where you will be staying does not keep animals on display for the benefit of its patrons. If you later find yourself in this position, you can still write to the management explaining that you are unhappy with the situation and stating reasons.
3. Bring a camera, extra film if you use a film camera, an extra battery if you use a digital camera, and a pen and notepad. If you are traveling with a companion, ask him/her to bring photographic equipment.
4. Try to avoid bringing back souvenirs that threaten animals or their habitats. Check with your national customs service to find out what you can bring back with you.

While on your trip: "entertainment" to avoid

1. Do not attend local events that involve animal exploitation, such as circuses, bullfights, or bear dancing.
2. Do not visit zoos or aquaria unless your purpose is to check reports of abuse. Many overseas zoos are in very bad condition and paying money only encourages the zoos to continue to exploit animals.
3. Avoid attractions such as elephant, donkey, or horse rides. Many of these animals are overworked.
4. Do not patronize restaurants, nightclubs, or other places of entertainment that use animals to attract visitors.
5. Do not pose with primates, bears, lion cubs, baby tigers, or other wild animals to have your photo taken. These animals are often snatched from their mothers at an early age. If wild-caught, their mothers are usually killed in the course of the capture. The animals are often drugged to make them docile enough to pose with you. Remember that primates in particular can carry many diseases that are deadly to humans. If they bite or scratch you, they could pass the disease on to you. Further, you could infect the animals with human ailments.

How to communicate

1. In foreign countries, many customs are different from yours and this can lead to problems. Learn what you can about the local customs, to enable you to carry on a conversation without insulting anyone.
2. Even if you are a witness to animal abuse, never accuse anyone of cruelty. This is for your own protection.
3. If you get into a conversation with a local person regarding an animal abuse situation, record the conversation accurately only after you have walked away.
4. If you have time, make enquiries as to which government department is responsible for animal welfare and zoos. Get copies of applicable animal welfare regulations if you can.
5. Never take matters into your own hands.

Photographs: worth a thousand words

1. If you find you are witnessing animal abuse, take clear photographs of the situation.
2. Take close-up photos of bruising, scratches, etc.
3. Take photographs of the scene from a distance to convey a sense of the size of the area; this is especially important if photographing caging.
4. Take photographs of shops, shop names, street names, or any other landmarks that will help other people to locate the position.
5. If possible, have your traveling companion also take the same photos.
6. If you use film, label it with the dates and location.
7. Make notes of the photos you have taken to prompt your memory.
8. If you use film, sensitive photos should be developed only once you have returned home.

Take note!

1. Take notes of the problem or the incident, outlining exactly what you saw. Do not exaggerate. If we act on information that is exaggerated we lose our credibility immediately.
2. Record all the details. For example, if the animal is chained, note the length of the chain and the material the chain is made of. If you see an animal being beaten, note what the animal was hit with and how often the animal was struck. Make notes of the condition of the animal: for example, general appearance (over- or underweight, lethargic or agitated), whether there are any bruises or scratches, signs of fear or other negative reactions, neurotic behaviors, etc. Note the numbers of animals and their species.
3. Note the animal(s)’ environment: for example, enclosure size, chains, shade/shelter, available water and food, etc.
4. Note the weather (hot, cold, windy, snowing, raining) and whether the animal has shelter and water, especially if it is hot.
5. Make a note of the date, the time, and full address of the incident. If it is in a market place, jot down the items being sold at the nearest stalls to enable someone else to find the same spot. Make notes of landmarks or other recognizable features (such as parks, gardens, clocks, buildings, etc.) that could lead another person back to the same location. If the incident takes place in a zoo or similar facility, get the full name and address of the zoo.
6. Get brochures of the general area and pick up literature from the facility (zoo or aquarium) if possible.
7. Draw a map of the area if needed to help locate the site of the abuse.
8. Record the names of other witnesses. If you are traveling with others, record the names of the people who are with you at the time. This is not as silly as it sounds. If you are traveling with many people it may be difficult to remember exactly who was with you on that particular day, when you return home and try to recall events.
9. If you converse with anyone about the plight of the animals, make notes as soon as possible after you have left the scene. Do not take notes while talking to the person. They may realize you are going to report them and become angry. Do not get into an argument.

Souvenirs

1. The best possible souvenirs are your very own photographs. No one has a photo exactly the same as yours. If stored properly on your return home they will last a lifetime.
2. Do not buy animal products such as furs, ivory, tortoise shells, rhino horns, skins, stuffed animals and fish, or butterfly collections.
3. Do not buy products containing animal ingredients such as tiger parts, bear and rhino parts, musk, monkey blood wines, etc. Some of these ingredients are found in oriental medicines.
4. Do not buy products taken from sensitive environments, such as coral, shells, clams, starfish, wood products, seeds, etc. Buying these products contributes to the destruction of wild animals’ natural habitats. It is also illegal to bring many of these items back home. Contact your customs office before leaving and ask what you can legally bring back into your home country.
5. Do not buy expensive perfumes or cosmetics at duty free shops, as many of the items have been tested on animals. Many of the expensive perfumes still contain musk from the musk deer. The musk deer is nearing extinction.
6. If you want to buy souvenirs, buy T-shirts, clothing, lengths of exotic fabric, jewelry, or glassware.
7. Books also make good souvenirs. You can obtain books that give a history of the country, local cookbooks (if you like the food), or books with color photographs of native animals, birds, fish, and plant life.
8. Paintings, sketches, and other art created by local craftspeople are also a good option.
9. Do consider making a donation to a local animal welfare organization. You can often find their names on the Internet. Contact IPPL for suggestions. The best souvenir is knowing your visit has benefited the animals of your host country.

1. Be sure to pack a camera.
2. Bring a note pad and pen with you.
3. If traveling with a companion, ask him/her to bring a camera.
4. Bring extra film if you use film.
5. Take several pictures in case some are not clear.
6. If you use film, label and date it.
7. Make notes of the photos you have taken to prompt your memory.
8. Make, clear, accurate notes of the date, time, place, street names, shop names, and any other identifying landmarks.
9. Draw a map of the area.
10. Note the condition and behavior of the animal(s).
11. Note the animal(s)’ environment.
12. Record your companions’ names.
13. Makes notes on pertinent conversations.
14. Collect brochures of the facility if possible.