Animal Rides: Part Of Your Next Green Vacation?

So you're on vacation in a totally foreign place that's filled with animals you're not used to being around--donkeys, camels, elephants--and you have an opportunity to go for a ride on one of them, the way so many tourists do. You're thinking, what a great way to get personal with nature as you explore your new surroundings. Plus, you could get from point A to B without polluting the air with exhaust fumes--green tourism at its best!

Except... it isn't really. Animals used in the tourism industry, as well as for local transport, are almost never well taken care of. Donkeys on the Greek island of Santorini, for example, cast a dark shadow on the island's breathtaking beauty. They are used to trek people up and down the 900-foot-staircase that runs up the side of the volcano-formed mountain. They are marched under the scorching sun in 90-degree heat all day long, whipped to go faster or slower, until after dark when they are finally led to their sleeping quarters, which are not exactly luxurious. Many have deformed hooves, wounds, and sores that go untreated, develop arthritis, and are left in the sun often for hours with no food or water.

Without much governmental (or nongovernmental) protection for animals in Greece, owners and employees of such operations have few, if any, humane regulations to abide by. There's also the issue of waste--because with all that time on the steps and no donkey bathrooms in place, the paths they walk on become... well, gross. And people who might otherwise choose to climb the hill on foot are likely to become disinterested rather quickly.

Things are much the same for elephants in Thailand, where despite being a national symbol, they are mistreated and overworked. The training process often includes harsh, cruel tactics, sometimes including separation of a baby from its mother. Horse carriages in the U.S. are no better--the horses are not well cared for, they suffer frequent leg injuries, are kept in tight sleeping quarters, and are forced to work in the most inclement of weather conditions. Plus, as any Central Park pedestrian certainly knows, they too leave a mess.

Going for a ride on an animal's back may seem a romantic, nature-friendly way to explore a new country, but take a closer look at any animal you are offered a chance to interact with as a tourist, and you are likely to see wounds that betray the promises that caretakers will give you of love for their animals.

So next time you're traveling and are offered an elephant ride, or a donkey or a camel ride, or even a swim with dolphins, think twice. See if you can find out a little more about how the animals are treated before you buy in.

Fine, but what can I do instead that is more eco-friendly?

If you decide against it, lots of other green options open up for exploring a new place. What has less impact on the earth than your own footsteps? Walking is great exercise, and gives you more opportunities to interact with local people than you'll ever have if you're too busy passing by them. Or rent a bike and cycle yourself around. If you have longer distances to travel, see what the area's public transportation is like.

And if the animal ride is just for fun (and not transport), then how about walking through nature, maybe with an animal, rather than making it do all the work. Or find a dog or a cat that needs some love. Some places have a sadly high number of strays or overpopulated shelters, and it's always nice to be able to leave behind some good green karma before returning home.

Related Posts:
Keep Animal Overpopulation in Check, Neuter or Spay Your Pet
Swimming with Dolphins: Green or Not?
Make Greener Choices for Your Vacation Journey and Destination
Think Green, Even on Vacation