Animal suffering while traveling: how to recognize it and what can you do?

In Jordan, I saw something that stays with me to this day. A donkey that could barely move forward, completely overloaded by a tourist on its back who wanted to visit the Monastery for pleasure without having to walk himself. At a certain point, the animal couldn't go on any longer and almost literally collapsed. The tourist should have dismounted at that moment, but didn't. Instead, the donkey was beaten with a stick to force it to keep walking. It was hot, the steps were heavy, and the animal was clearly worn out. This image made me incredibly sad and angry at the same time.

This was no isolated incident, but something that happens there daily. A donkey is not built to transport heavy people, certainly not for long periods and certainly not in those circumstances. Yet this is seen as normal, because it is part of the tourist offerings. That image of the poor donkey haunted me and made me think about how much animal suffering we unknowingly accept along the way.

Donkeys are just one example. All over the world, animals are used as tourist attractions. Elephant rides, carrying crocodiles or alligators, selfies and walking with lions, dolphin shows, parrots on shoulders, or monkeys on a leash. It looks innocent, sometimes even loving, but often a lot goes wrong behind these kinds of activities. Wild animals are not domesticated and are trained using coercion, fear, or isolation. They live in small enclosures, get no rest, and have no choice. The fact that an animal looks calm means little. Many animals exhibit learned behavior or have become apathetic.

As long as tourists keep paying for these kinds of experiences, this industry will continue to exist. Without demand, there is no supply. And let us all ensure that that demand decreases.

You cannot always say with certainty whether a situation is good or bad. Nevertheless, there are clear signals that you, as a traveler, can look out for. If an animal is being used for photos, shows, or rides, that is often a first warning. Wild animals are not supposed to perform tricks, and certainly not be constantly available to tourists. If an animal allows itself to be petted, held, or approached as if it were tame, you might wonder how that behavior was learned. In some cases, animals are even drugged so that tourists can take pictures with them. After all, don't just think you can sit next to a wild lion.

Also pay attention to the conditions in which animals are kept. Small enclosures, short chains, or the lack of shade and rest periods are clear signs that welfare is not the priority. Animals that are forced to work continuously or are visibly fatigued are often overworked. This applies just as much to donkeys and horses as it does to elephants or camels.

Behavior often says more than appearance. An animal that stands still or responds little may seem calm, but could also be experiencing stress or exhaustion. Aggression, repetitive behavior, or apathy are signals that something is wrong. Do not rely solely on what you see, but ask yourself whether this behavior is natural for the animal.

Are you in doubt? Then it is usually better to keep your distance and not participate. In many cases, your gut feeling is actually more accurate than you think.

Not everything is black or white. There are also places that focus on shelter, protection, and education. Think of rescue centers for injured animals or projects that show visitors why certain animal species need to be protected. There is often a genuine intention behind this.

An example is the Sloth Sanctuary Costa Rica. Here, injured and orphaned sloths are taken in and cared for. Visitors receive explanations about the animals and their habitat, without being able to touch them or take photos with them. That feels different from an attraction where animals are used purely for entertainment.

At the same time, it remains a difficult area. In principle, animals should not be in contact with humans. Even with good intentions, a tension remains between education and tourism. Places that present themselves as rescue centers are also not automatically responsible.

It therefore calls for a critical look. What happens to the animals? Is contact limited? Is the emphasis on recovery and return to nature, or on visitors and the experience? Sometimes it works well, sometimes it doesn't. And sometimes it simply remains a grey area.

During a trip to Kyrgyzstan, I saw something that also stayed with me. Before my eyes, a goat was slaughtered as part of a traditional game. It is part of the culture there and is considered normal by locals. Still, I found it quite intense to see a goat having its throat slit. Not because I lack understanding for other customs, but because it makes you reflect again on how we view animals and how different that can be depending on the country and situation.

It is not up to me to pass judgment on that. But it does show that our view of animals is not the same everywhere, and that as a traveler you are sometimes confronted with things that don't sit right.

The same applies to traditions such as bullfighting in Spain and Mexico, for example. For some, it is a cultural heritage that has existed for generations, while for others, it is difficult to understand or accept. There, too, you notice how great the differences can be in how people view animals and the role they play within a society.

With this article, I do not want to play the strict teacher who wants to lecture others. I, too, have done things that I now view differently. Years ago, I had my picture taken with a crocodile in Cuba. I once attended a bullfight in Mexico. And in Sri Lanka, I visited an elephant sanctuary about which I have serious reservations in retrospect. At the time, it felt special and innocent, although alarm bells were already ringing for me when tourists were allowed down to photograph and touch the elephants up close. Only later did I begin to wonder what was required to make such experiences possible. How are these animals kept, trained, and used? And why do travel organizations send tourists to these kinds of places?

I have learned the hard way. I have learned from this and consciously try to avoid making these kinds of mistakes again. Traveling teaches you a lot, but sometimes you only truly learn when you look back and dare to admit that you didn't see things correctly at the time.

Over the years, my way of traveling has changed. Nowadays, I consciously skip certain activities involving animals. Even a horse-drawn carriage ride no longer feels right to me. I only participate if I am certain that the animal can move freely, gets enough rest, and is not being used purely for entertainment. That sometimes means I forgo something that others do. And that is fine. For me, traveling is not about ticking off experiences, but about respect for the environment and everything that lives there. That sometimes requires making choices and accepting that not everything is meant for you.

I love spotting animals. The moment you suddenly come face to face with a wild animal in its natural habitat. But that also means waiting and searching carefully. And sometimes you are just unlucky and see nothing.

Animals cannot be directed. They are not there when it suits you, and they disappear again when they don't like it. And that is how it should be. Wild animals are not there to entertain us. That is why those moments when it does work are so special. You must cherish them. The unpredictability gives every encounter extra value.

Not all animal suffering is immediately visible. Sometimes something seems harmless, but the impact is significant. Consider beaches where turtles hatch from their eggs. People crowd around them en masse to take photos. They touch the animals, block their route to the sea, or use bright lights. Perhaps well-intentioned, but the consequences are severe. Turtles become disoriented, are trampled, or do not even make it to the sea.

You cannot touch wild animals. Never. No matter how small, vulnerable, or cute they seem. You observe wild animals from a distance, without touching them.

You don't have to be an activist to make a difference. It often comes down to the choices you make yourself during a trip. Check beforehand whether an activity involving animals is responsible and skip it if you have any doubts. Avoid shows, rides, and attractions where animals are used for entertainment. Be critical at animal shelters and ask questions. If animals are touched, held, or used for photos, something is usually wrong.

Feeding wild animals is also something to avoid. At Manutel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, for example, I saw that raccoons and monkeys have become so accustomed to tourists that they approach people, rip open bags, and even jump on you in the hope of getting some food. What seems harmless causes animals to lose their natural behavior and become dependent on humans.

Prefer spotting animals in the wild, with distance and patience. And speak to travel companions, friends, and family about it if necessary, without judgment. Conscious travel begins with observing, reflecting, and sometimes simply saying no.

Animals are not props, attractions, or selfie objects. They should not be tied up, locked up, or touched. Travel is about discovery, but also about respect. This applies not only to cultures and landscapes, but also to the animals that live there. Perhaps we sometimes see less wildlife along the way, or perhaps we are sometimes unlucky. But that does not make travel any less beautiful. When you do come face to face with a wild animal, the moment is worth so much more.

Animal suffering in tourism does not stop on its own. As long as there is demand, the supply will continue. And that supply comes not only from local providers, but also from large travel organizations.

Some parties have stopped offering activities involving wild animals in recent years. At the same time, there are still organizations that continue to sell these types of outings. Think of tickets for dolphinariums or shows featuring orcas and dolphins in captivity. As a result, demand remains and little changes.

For me, that is a reason to take a critical look at where I book. I consciously choose not to book these types of tours and also not to support organizations that still profit from them. Not because I am the perfect traveler, but because I know better by now.

As a traveler, you have more influence on this than you think. By not making certain choices, you send a clear signal. Sometimes this involves small things, such as skipping an excursion or looking just a little beyond the standard offerings.

If you want to delve deeper into this, it is worth taking a look at World Animal Protection. They conduct research into animal welfare in tourism and show which activities you are better off avoiding and what to look out for. You can also sign petitions to stop animal suffering.