Bayside has just become a member of S.A.T.S.A. (Southern African Tourism Services Association) and they have just released guidelines for acceptable and ethical animal interaction activities.
Their recommendations about who to support when it comes to animal, bird etc interaction is very interesting. We continue to recommend a visit to one or more of our local sanctuaries and it is good to see the facilities/operators adjusting the exposure to their primates, birds, elephants, wolfs, snakes, cats and ocean life.
After more than a year of consultations and extensive research, S.A.T.S.A. recently had the opportunity to provide the tourism industry with a useful tool by hich to evaluate and select animal interaction activities in the tourism space, with the launch of S.A.T..SA.’s draft Animal Interaction guide.
Questions to ask include :
1) is it in the best interest of the animal/s to be in this facility or in captivity
2) was the acquisition of the animal/s in the best interest of each animal and/or conservation
3) is it in the best interest of each animal and/or conservation to remain in this facility
4) does the activity or the facility where the animal is kept interfere with the natural capabilities or behaviour of the animal
5) is the activity natural for the animal/s
6) does the animal have freedom of choice to be involved in the activity? ie animal is not managed, coerced or restricted in any way
7) was or is the animal negatively affected in any way pre during or post the activity
8) is there education or conservation value in the activity that cannot be achieved better by any other means
https://www.satsa.com/animal-interaction-research-view-the-video-here/
https://www.satsa.com/animal-interaction-research-view-the-video-here/
Captive wildlife attractions and interactions remain a complex, contentious and emotionally charged issue. There is an increasing movement, both locally and internationally, against tourism experiences that potentially harm animals.
In response, S.A.T.S.A. embarked on a comprehensive research initiative to develop a long-term vision for South Africa’s tourism industry with regards to animal interactions in tourism; to design and agree on a framework to guide attractions, operators and tourists; to develop high-level suggestions for legislative intervention and regulation; and ultimately to position South Africa as an ethical tourism destination.
Providing the tourism industry with a useful tool by which to evaluate and select animal interaction activities in the tourism space, has moved yet another step closer with the launch of .SA.T..SA.’s draft Animal Interaction guide.
While the guide is comprehensive in its assessment of animal interactions in the tourism industry, and is the first to pin its approach on a locally-born ethical framework, its utility peaks in an interactive tool – an easy-to-use ‘decision tree’ which will allow tourism bodies, tour operators and tourists to assess animal interaction operations, and make informed decisions to support ethically sound and responsible operators in South Africa.
This is the result of a year of research and robust consultation with the wider tourism industry and relevant stakeholders. Nationwide public workshops and an examination of local, regional and international guidelines, research and best practice contributed to the development of the guide.
The study and resultant guide and tool explore the intricacies of animal interactions, including the reason why the animals are in captivity in the first place; the source of the animals; the use of the animals while in captivity; and the likely destination of the animals. This takes its ambit beyond the work usually done on captive/wildlife welfare to the full lifecycle of the animal interactions industry.
The study conveys findings and recommendations around:
- Performing animals (all types of animals, including elephants, predators, primates, cetaceans, birds, reptiles etc. trained to perform in a public show or display)
- Tactile interactions with infant wild animals (e.g. cub petting)
- Tactile interactions with predators or cetaceans (any interaction with land predators or aquatic mammals)
- Walking with predators or elephants
- Riding of animals (including sitting on elephants, ostriches etc.)
Primarily, the research outlines a ‘home-grown’ approach to a complex problem, one which draws a line – moving the SA tourism industry forward in terms of responsible and sustainable practices.
Leveraging the findings of the robust research study, S.A.T.S.A. will now collaborate with its members and the broader tourism industry to translate the research findings into practice.
To ensure all stakeholders affected by, or with an interest in, animal interactions within the wider tourism industry are included, and to allow an opportunity for input on the way forward for those who couldn’t make it to the launch, S.A.T.S.A. will be making the content of the launch available here very soon.
Who is S.A.T.S.A .
- S.A.T.S.A. is a member-driven credibility association that strives to set the highest standards in the Tourism Industry
- We strive to maintain our three key qualities in all of the work we do: credibility, value and authority.
- Using a S.A.T.S.A. member provides peace of mind for those who seek to do business with credible tourism partners
- Members undergo a strict registration process and are required to sign and agree to abide by a Code of Conduct