I have a confession: I’ve stroked a tiger. And I’ve ridden an elephant. Why? Ironically, because of a love of wildlife, I have, in the past, participated in wildlife experiences that, with the benefit of hindsight, I’d certainly never engage in today. While most of us have long boycotted bullfights, dancing bear shows, and circuses using elephants and lions, many of us have unwittingly been supporting animal cruelty on our travels, whether by visiting attractions like Thailand’s Tiger Temple, riding elephants, or even visiting certain zoos and marine wildlife parks.
Last year, Thomas Cook stopped selling tickets to 16 wildlife experiences. This July, it stated that, from next summer, it would be scrapping all trips to SeaWorld and all other wildlife parks with captive orcas. Thomas Cook said this was prompted by a survey it commissioned showing 90% of its customers wanted their holiday company to take animal welfare seriously.
“This announcement followed months of campaigning that included over 100 protests,” Elisa Allen, director of animal rights organisation PETA, tells me.