World Animal Protection calls for end to tiger entertainment venues

Captive tiger at a tourist facility in Thailand. World Animal Protection believes that wild animals belong in the wild and should not be used for our entertainment. (PRNewsFoto/World Animal Protection)

Captive tiger at a tourist facility in Thailand. World Animal Protection believes that wild animals belong in the wild and should not be used for our entertainment. (PRNewsFoto/World Animal Protection)

NON-PROFIT organisation World Animal Protection is calling on governments to investigate and close down venues that use tigers for entertainment and for travel companies to halt their sales and promotion of such establishments.

The recent scandal and closure of Thailand’s Tiger Temple has spotlighted the abuse of captive tigers that goes on inside such places and in light of that, the animal welfare group has launched an investigation into the tiger tourism industry in Thailand.

The study, Tiger selfies exposed: A portrait of Thailand’s tiger entertainment industry, showed that the number of captive tigers increased from 623 to 830 in the last five years, or by 33 per cent.

According to the report, such venues are getting increasingly popular as tourists are promised a close-up encounter with wild tigers. But many travellers do not realise the cruelty that goes on in order to domesticate these creatures to the extent of being made submissive enough to entertain tourists.

Issues cited include tigers being punished using pain and fear in order to stop aggressive, unwanted behavior. One staff member told the researchers that starvation is also used as a punitive measure.

Of the 17 major tiger entertainment venues investigated in Thailand, Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Pattaya had the highest number of tigers in captivity. As well, World Animal Protection observed that it has the poorest conditions with at least one tiger so thin its hips and ribs were visible.

“It is very worrying that at the time of our research, 207 more tigers were abused for tourist entertainment than there were five years ago,” said Julie Middelkoop, head of the Wildlife – Not Entertainers campaign at World Animal Protection.

“We’re asking tourists to think about the welfare of the tigers, and we’re calling on the travel industry to stop promoting and profiting from tiger cruelty. If you can get up close to, hug, or have a selfie with a tiger, the attraction is cruel. Don’t go.”

She further urged travellers to stay away from any wildlife tourist entertainment venues that allow direct human-animal interaction, such as hugging and selfies with tigers.

“TripAdvisor, the largest travel site in the world, continues to promote and sell tickets to cruel tiger tourist venues. They could be a real part of the solution and help to end the suffering of tigers,” she added.

Responding to the allegations, a TripAdvisor spokesperson said: “The role of animals in tourism is a highly complex issue involving a variety of stakeholders with diverse points of view. TripAdvisor takes this issue seriously.

“Currently, there is no universally agreed upon criteria by which to assess animal welfare practices, and no feasible means by which an online resource like ours could centrally audit such practices around the globe. While it is the responsibility of national governments and local regulatory bodies to monitor businesses in their respective jurisdictions, TripAdvisor recognises that the travel and tourism community can be a positive catalyst for change.

“We are committed to exploring this in a thoughtful and responsible manner to protect animal welfare, while serving the needs of our TripAdvisor community, promoting sustainable tourism, and respecting the economic interests of the reputable partners who make their living in this area.”

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