Video of Baby Elephant Sending Tourist 'Flying' Has Animal Lovers Outraged
There are so many fun, life-changing experiences in-store when you have the opportunity to travel. Whether you take a short drive to another town or a long plane ride to a new country, you're bound to see something you've never seen before. And if you're like me, local flora and fauna are at the top of your must-see list!
However, there's a lot to keep in mind when it comes to wildlife tourism. The last thing anyone would want to do is support a program that's bringing harm to animals for the sake of making a profit, but many tourists do exactly this without even knowing it. Sometimes, though, it's a little more obvious that things are off in an animal experience.
On February 22, Daily Mail shared an already-viral video showing a woman being knocked down by a baby elephant. Let's just say viewers have a lot to say about the interaction!
OMG! This was definitely shocking to watch for the first time, but when I gave it more thought, it made a lot of sense. As a general rule of thumb, it's never a good idea to bother an animal while they're eating! Making an exception for a friendly dog is one thing, but I'm surprised no one thought this woman's interaction with a formerly wild elephant was a bad idea.
Related: Man Asks Internet for Help Rescuing Baby Elephant Who's Currently Chained to a Pole
While I'm glad the woman wasn't injured, I'm more concerned about the baby elephant. Dozens of commenters are questioning why the baby animal has chains on their feet, while others are speaking out against wildlife tourism altogether.
"That’s what anyone who supports this kind of tourist attraction gets," writes @moldynuggies. "Look at that poor elephant. They can’t even walk far, and those chains on their leg..." It's heartbreaking to witness!
Concerns Over Wildlife Tourism
Unsurprisingly, this isn't the first time a video about elephant tourism has gone viral. There have been concerns over animal welfare in tourist programs for years, and some animal rescuers have dedicated their lives specifically to saving elephants from captivity.
Baby elephants like this one are often separated from their mothers and chained up for meet-and-greets with travelers, while some adult elephants are even ridden.
Of course, this isn't the only animal species used for tourist activities. You may see different native animals depending on where you travel, which is why it's so important to do your research before deciding to support any animal tourism experience. Besides, you can view wild animals safely so much closer to home--like the wildlife in Yellowstone National Park!
With a little vigilance and a lot of spreading the word, animal rescuers and tourists alike can ensure the horrible programs that enslave wild animals cease to exist.
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