“Most tourists who enjoy these encounters (wildlife experiences) don’t know that the adult tigers maybe declawed, drugged, or both. Or that there are always cubs for tourists to snuggle with because the cats are speed bread and the cubs are taken from their mothers just days after birth. Or that the elephants give rides and preform tricks without harming people only because they’ve been “broken” as babies and taught to fear the bullhook. Or that the Amazonian sloths taken illegally from the jungle often die within weeks of being put in captivity.” . This issue is something that most of us don’t really know is happening. Businesses both domestically and abroad are great at making everything appear like the animals are happy and taken care of-all for our enjoyment. Behind the scenes, it is far from a happy life for the animals involved. . Just like social media is a highlight reel of someone’s life that make it seem like they have everything and are so happy, it’s a facade. They could be depressed, lost, struggling, and nobody knows because we judge by what we see on their social media platforms and not who they are as an entire person. . The wildlife tourism industry is no different. Seeing pictures of people riding elephants looks amazing but the process that happens to the elephants to allow this to happen, called phajaan, is truly heartbreaking. Even though this report was incredibly hard to read, it gave light and awareness to a major issue that everyone needs to be aware of. . Before you decide to participate in anything involving wild animals, consider these factors: 1. Freedom for hunger and thirst, 2. Freedom from discomfort, 3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease, 4. Freedom to express normal behavior, 5. Freedom from fear and distress. More can be found at natgeo.com/wildlifetourism. . The more awareness we can spread, the more we have the chance to end this and give these animals the happy lives they deserve. #NatGeo #wildlifetourism #elephant #tiger #monkey #slowloris #riverdolphin #dolphin #baluga #polarbear #macaque #pangolin #anteater #awareness #justice #education (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzWiJIrB2o4WPXuCHhItTTMj5KBKSZdli22D6I0/?igshid=hknzo74xshvh