© Shutterstock

The problem of centering human entertainment -

Far too many wildlife facilities around the world exist purely for human entertainment at the cost of animals. That’s how zoos began in the first place, also partly as a way to boast about one’s access to the world.

© Shutterstock

Animal performances have a dark underbelly -

Most of us have enjoyed a show that involved a cute animal, and while they might be entertaining to watch and draw in huge crowds of adoring fans, the truth is that forcing animals to perform often involves physical or emotional torture.

© Shutterstock

Canned hunting is obviously the worst -

One of the worst forms of animal encounters is obviously that which involves killing them, but canned hunting experiences—which involves breeding animals to be shot by tourists in a confined space—remains a popular activity.

© Shutterstock

And what about zoos? -

Some people will reject zoos full stop for holding animals in captivity and thus diminishing their quality of life. They believe that animals have a right to their own freedom. But equally troubling is that millions of animals are already captive around the world right now, so what can be done?

© Shutterstock

Captive breeding is harmful -

Scientists and animal professionals now agree that it's unethical to take animals from the wild and into captivity, and it's a direct threat to conservation. But captive breeding is also harmful, even if zoos will try to convince you that they're helping conservation because they're breeding endangered species—that does nothing for the animal's existence in the wild.

© Shutterstock

The one exception -

The one exception to captive breeding's harmfulness is when a species' population is so small that the animals need to be protected in captivity to breed for a reintroduction program. But this must be done with the utmost care, and scientists and vets help choose specific animals to mate with one another based on their history and genetics to increase genetic diversity and thus also the odds that the animal will survive when reintroduced into the wild.

© Shutterstock

Benefits of zoos -

The primary benefits that zoos provide are education and conservation of species and habitats, says Dr. Michael Hutchins, director of the Department of Conservation and Science for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), which is an independent accrediting organization that ensures zoos and aquariums are meeting conservation, scientific, and education standards.

© Shutterstock

Ethical zoos play a role in conservation -

Zoos support conservation by educating the public, raising money for conservation programs, developing technology to track wild populations, conducting scientific research, advancing veterinary medicine, and developing animal handling techniques, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports. Captivity offers the chance to learn much more about animals than if they were in the wild.

© Shutterstock

Conservation by connection and education -

Zoos also encourage conservation by getting people to connect with animals and care about them, because when people have real and personal connections with nature, they are more likely to have pro-conservation attitudes and behaviors. Seeing the animals and reading about harmful practices putting their lives at risk is much more motivating to change those practices or make a donation.

© Shutterstock

Animal welfare must be a top focus -

Equally as important to conservation efforts is individual animal welfare. Zoos and aquariums must be taking good care to make sure their animals are happy, which involves promoting natural behaviors and environments.

© Shutterstock

Check who runs the zoo -

One simple way to see if a zoo is ethical is to look at who owns/runs it. Zoos owned by organizations often have a board of directors and multiple parties responsible, and government and non-profits will be transparent about their funds. Certifications from organizations like AZA or the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria mean that zoos or aquariums have suitable standards and contribute to global biodiversity conservation goals.

© Shutterstock

Good signs -

Signs of an ethical zoo include realistic-looking enclosures that mimic natural habitats and are spacious, babies are a rare occurrence and they are with their mothers, there are no shows or opportunities to touch the animals, and there are plenty of placards with educational information about the animals in the wild.

© Shutterstock

Bad signs -

Signs of an unethical animal tourism experience are the focus on photo opportunities, constant baby animals, little educational information available, small enclosures, lack of barriers, no research practices, and private ownership. These are often the characteristics of roadside zoos.

© Shutterstock

Outside of zoos and aquariums -

According to Sustainable Jungle, national parks are the best way to enjoy an ethical wildlife experience. They typically boast wide open expanses that have been preserved in their natural state, but usually still offer a few roadways and hiking paths.

© Shutterstock

National parks -

National parks are exciting on the one hand because you don't know when you'll encounter a wild animal, but on the other hand it may also mean you won't see the animal you were hoping to see.

© Shutterstock

Rehabilitation and conservation centers -

Oftentimes when traveling, people wanting a controlled but ethical wildlife experience will visit animal rehabilitation and conservation centers. They can be a great way to learn about various animal species up close, and you can feel good about giving them your money.

© Shutterstock

But be careful -

Sometimes places will market a “sanctuary” experience but actually offer little to no rehabilitation for animals. Instead, they can be captive wildlife viewing centers that breed animals on site, so it's best to do your research and look for any real wildlife release programs they should be a part of.

© Shutterstock

If you're taking a selfie, it's probably not ethical -

As a rule of thumb, experts advise staying away from any captive facilities that offer the chance to take a selfie with an animal as that level of domestication almost always involves physical or emotional torture. If the animals are carnivores, they're also usually heavily drugged.

© Shutterstock

Use helpful sources -

Aaron 'Bertie' Gekoski, an award-winning environmental photojournalist, built a platform called Raise the Red Flag for reporting facilities that have concerning wildlife practices to help you avoid unethical tourist destinations. Places associated with the World Wildlife Fund are usually a good indicator of ethical practices, as they have strict requirements.

© Shutterstock

Pick the right guide -

Having a guide through wildlife encounters is almost always essential if you don't have enough knowledge, and the right guide can make a world of difference. Do your research and find a reputable and ethical provider that really cares about the environment they're operating in, and hopefully one that is native to the area. Look for guides who have scientific backgrounds or are passionate about sustainability, and who aren't just offering thrills.

© Shutterstock

Avoid violating animals' territory -

If you're taking a safari, for example, choose a guiding company that will stick to the roads and keep a fair distance. Likewise if you're on a boating trip to spot whales, seals, or dolphins, check that the captain follows necessary guidelines so as not to upset the animals' natural behavior.

© Shutterstock

Have patience -

When trying to encounter animals in the wild, it takes a lot more patience than going to a zoo or aquarium where they're all collected for you. But this is an opportunity to experience the animal's real behavior, and it's ultimately much more rewarding and memorable.

© Shutterstock

Don't feed the animals -

Though it might feel like a nice thing, you should never be feeding wild animals, because not only can it make them aggressive, it's also not good for them. They need to hunt the food that's right for their bodies, and the hunting process is essential to their body and the environment's equilibrium.

© Shutterstock

No riding animals -

Riding elephants is quite common in Asia but often involves keeping the huge creatures in chains and drugging and beating them from childhood in order to domesticate them. You should try to avoid the riding of any animals, including swimming with dolphins.

© Shutterstock

Avoid touching animals -

If you think about it, you really shouldn't be able to get up close and personal with a big, dangerous animal, so if a company is offering you that experience, there's a good chance the animals have been mistreated out of their instincts.

© Shutterstock

Leave only footprints -

Another important part of going to see animals is to not litter in their natural habitat. Leaving things like cigarette butts on the ground is bad enough in urban environments, but in the wilderness it can be catastrophic for wild animals who often mistake trash for food. That goes for throwing things in the ocean as well!

© Shutterstock

Some ethical wildlife experiences -

Beyond ethical zoos and aquariums, and animal rehabilitation sanctuaries, there are great conservation parks and nature reserves where you can go on safaris with professional guides to see animals thriving in their own habitat from a safe distance.

© Shutterstock

Some ethical wildlife experiences -

Scuba diving or snorkeling can be an ethical way to experience underwater wildlife as long as you take proper measures like not touching the reef, removing any waste you see, using reef-safe sunscreen, and choosing destinations and guides that maintain ethical and environmentally-friendly practices.

© Shutterstock

Some ethical wildlife experiences -

Gorilla trekking in places like Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park often involves going on a long guided hike with professional guides to spend time with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

© Shutterstock

Get out of your comfort zone -

The majority of the mistreatment of animals comes from the human desire for comfort, but if you really want a wildlife experience, you're going to have to venture at least a little into the wild!

Sources: (American Veterinary Medical Association) (Pebble Magazine) (The Wise Traveller) (Eco-Age)

See also: The best and worst countries for animal welfare

© Shutterstock