TOURISM

TOURISM

Tourism is one of the major causes of poaching. Poorly informed, tourists can lead to actions that are not respectful of animals (carrying a monkey or stroking a tiger all day long is the opposite of their needs), thus directly encouraging the capture of wild animals in the natural environment and their abuse. These behaviors of tourists NEVER constitute a benefit for animals.

Traveling and wanting contact with an animal is NEVER ethical.

Taking selfies with animals: a really bad idea



• Because this encourages mistreatment: they are taken as babies from their mothers, chained, sometimes drugged or mistreated so that they remain calm with tourists (training of mounted elephants in Asia, caressed tigers, walks with lions in Africa, monkeys exhibited in the souks, fennecs transported like objects, exposed to the sun all day...),
• These animals are taken from the natural environment: if these individuals die, others are captured, an endless loop which endangers wild populations,
• In Africa or Asia, monkeys are torn from their families, becoming unstable without the social structure specific to their species,
• Once published on social networks, these selfies further fuel the desire for contact with exotic animals, or even illegal detention,
• Paying a small fee for a souvenir photo may seem enticing and exotic, but it encourages the capture and mistreatment of wild animals.

Buying an animal on vacation: illegal and encourages poaching




Birds and reptiles, including tortoises, are an alarming example of tourist trafficking. They are torn from their natural environment and then sold on numerous markets. The turtles are protected, so any offender faces legal action and a fine. It is strictly forbidden to bring them back to Europe. In addition, reptiles need special care and practical knowledge, so it is not uncommon for these turtles to die off quickly in Europe. We are asked a lot by turtle owners, tired of taking care of their animal bought on a 'whim', or simply because the animal is in bad shape. To avoid encouraging this poaching, you should definitely not buy any!

For the same reasons as the capture of live animals, souvenir items made from bones, shells, feathers, teeth or sometimes scales and ivory... should be completely banned./b>




• Due to trafficking torpedoing natural populations, Greek tortoises are now threatened with extinction. They have disappeared from many valleys in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. And unfortunately, many other animal species are threatened because of these abusive harvests...









The Tonga Terre d'Accueil association has welcomed a large number of Barbary Macaques, illegally detained by individuals in the 2010s, who had brought them back illegally from North Africa. Today, fortunately, these primates are less affected by trafficking. This is not the case for marmosets which, being smaller primates, are now in greater demand. Reptiles are also frequently abandoned. The reptiles entrusted to the association are directly placed within the Zoological Space, which has a vivarium and spaces for turtles. However, the capacity to accommodate these animals is becoming more and more restricted...