To be saddened people still do these things on holiday?

[lastqueenofscotland]

Had a summer of holidays pictures on social media m which had included a lot of people
Swimming with dolphins
Going to sea world in Orlando
Posing with drugged up tigers for pictures
Riding elephants in Thailand

So on and so forth. In an age where information about the poor treatment of these animals is so well known and freely available AIBU to feel a bit sad about it.
I also want to publicly call them out... but that won’t go well.

I too assumed dolphin swimming was all in open seas - have family who have done that. Genuinely can’t see the attraction of getting in a swimming pool with one? Bizarre.

"Many of the children are the children of young girls exploited by western men. Some are HIV positive and their mothers are dead.
There is no state funding or benefit system at all."

And what do you add to their life by showing up once a year?

Donate money by all means, but treating them like a zoo is sick.

Do you go to children's homes in the UK to entertain them too?

Blackfish has been widely criticised and full of lies and misinformation. I struggle to understand anyone who forms an opinion on such a load of tripe. At least do some real research.
Without a doubt Seaworld needs to make changes however the rescue and rehabilitation work they do is far superior to most other Charities. I am more than happy to give my money to support the work they do.

A friend of mine recently went to 6 flags in America and posed with the dolphins. I was shocked she thought it was acceptable but I didn't say anything.

So what do you do there end ?

Why are you different and special and not a gawker like the rest?

I'm sure you mean well but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Most charities invite westerners in because they have to to keep getting their money. Doesn't strike me as very fair.

Isn’t the orphanage debate similar to celebrity white women adopting black children to raise outside their birth country? It’s bizarre and hopefully started to be considered wrong and out of touch.

I think it’s wonderful to help people in need, countries that need aid. But don’t go stealing other peoples children FFS just because these families are desperate. Why not sponsor the family, the village?

Its quite sad on here that people are believing the propaganda on social media. Some places are very good some are awful, some are in between.

There is a massive difference between the likes of seaworld (and other zoos like ZSL, whipsnade etc etc) their conservation work is superb and a world away from elephant orphanages and drugged up tigers.

www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/opinion/orphanages-children-latin-america.html

Some of the reasons that volunteering in orphanages isn’t the best way to help these children.

Completely agree with you OP, many times I've been in the staff room at work and seen people ooohing and aaahing over holiday photos of some poor bloody captive dolphin being "cuddled" by them.
I feel like saying "oh I didnt realise you were stupid Karen".
I feel the same way about a lot of zoos.
They have such tiny enclosures.
The rhino enclosure at Knowsley safari park is bigger than the whole of Chester zoo where the rhinos are crammed into a pen smaller than my garden.
But God help anyone who criticises the national treasure that is Chester zoo.

I have already said I don't go to gawk.
I go to meet up with the people who run the place, ask what they need, ask what I can do to help with fundraising.
Why is that so terrible?
I have known the staff there for 35 years. I respect the work they do.

I feel the same about people who go to zoos in this country

My DH has photos of him and his ex (an apparently well educated doctor who is also a vegetarian due to animal welfare) with baby tiger cubs and riding elephants in Thailand.
I had to explain what the problem was

ticking basically anywhere that allows humans to interact with animals strikes me as pretty exploitative, conservation work or no.

end if you're not interacting with the children then no it's obviously not a problem.

I don't think you can equate SeaWorld to drugged up tigers.

Yes you can.

People who say ZSL London is good because of their conservation work really need to understand just how cruel it is there.
There’s nothing good about being in captivity in cages that size.

ZSL Whipsnade is larger and the animals might be slightly happier there but I’d still prefer not to go

Go to Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland. Take the fast boat back. Delight in seeing the dolphins swim alongside the boat. Fabulous end to a great day out.

I visited an orphanage in China which our friend went to every week. It was just to cuddle and chat to babies for a while. This was the older baby pre walking room and they were all in walkers. I think that’s different from an orphanage tour.

@sashh there are some issues with places like Monkey Mia too.

I actually went there 20 years ago as part of a bus trip but I'd made me feel pretty uncomfortable at the time.

www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/how-the-wild-dolphin-feeding-industry-threatens-this-species-survival/

I feel both sad and angry when I see posts showing people kissing dolphins. I always unfollow friends that have done this.

Totally agree OP! Always think the same myself. It baffles me that people know how awful they are. Had a friend who said “but I’ve aaallllwwways wanted to swim with dolphins”. As if that made it ok?! That you really wanted to do it!! 😡
For the poster who said volunteering in orphanages is a good thing, I agree if it’s a long term arrangement- for 3/6 months or a year. But a few weeks or a few days (as you can do in Cambodia/Thailand) really isn’t beneficial for the children. Also beyond me that people then post photos of these children on their social media- see humanitariansoftinder.com

I’ve always felt uneasy about the orphanage thing. I know someone who goes on those adventure type holidays and there’s always an orphanage visit thrown in somewhere. They insist that they are doing good and the children love it and it improves their English etc but I just think there is no way that in developed countries randomers would just be allowed to wander in and play with kids in care!? And frankly, this person has never even tried to do it here yet bangs on about how much of a difference they’ve made to these kids lives. It just seems like another way to exploit developing countries to me, and perhaps a way to make Westerners feel better about themselves. I wonder if anyone looks after the mental well-being of these poor kids who probably develop attachment issues. Most likely not.

Anything involving interactions with wild animals also makes me feel sick. Unfortunately most people probably just don’t understand how badly some of these beautiful creatures are mistreated and just want the photo opportunity. There needs to be real government crack downs on all these kinds of ventures and the West needs to stop fueling a demand for them.

It makes me so sad how most people just think they are entitled to do whatever they like without an ounce of consideration for the rest of the natural world.

We’re just back from orlando.

In the run up joined various fb groups for hints and tips etc.

Invariably someone would ask about booking a dolphin swim. Someone would answer along the lines of don’t, and point out why. Then a bunch of replies about keep your unwanted opinions to yourself, if you can’t say anything nice etc.

Occasionally the o/p would check and come back saying they hadn’t realised the welfare issues.

I am very anti- balloon release. The posts on social media always go the same way.

People just don’t care as long as they get a photo op. Even a sad face sending balloons up to auntie mavis in heaven.

Of course it isn’t their balloon killing wildlife and farm animals. Or their photo with a dolphin/tiger/elephant contributing money to abuse of animals.

Safari’s in africa etc i can’t get worked up about like pp. the animals are essentially living wild, and the tourist money has contributed massively towards anti-poaching and conservation schemes.

I also wonder how much of this would go on if photography and social media just wasn’t even a thing.

I don't think you can equate SeaWorld to drugged up tigers.

Why can’t you? I’m not seeing the difference

@derbyshiregirly
That sounds so beautiful and I agree means much more, when it's the animals actual choice.
Can I derail the thread slightly and ask where you went? Me and DP are doing the Florida Keys for honeymoon and I've categorically said we will not be going to SeaWorld and the like, but I would love to see them in the wild. Did you actually get to swim in the ocean with them? Everyone I've looked at has been dolphin spotting only.