Wildlife sanctuaries play an important role in the world of animal protection. Having animals in captivity should never be a first choice, but is, unfortunately, sometimes necessary. For animals who can not live in the wild, whether due to physical injury or being unable to survive on their own after spending time under human control, sanctuaries provide a safe haven. Depending on their circumstances, some animals may be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, while others will live out their lives in these facilities.
Sanctuaries can also serve an educational purpose if they are open to the public, allowing visitors to learn more about various species and the threats they face. Many sanctuaries offer tours with this goal in mind, and entry fees help to offset the cost of wildlife care. Visiting or making a donation is a great way to support this important work.
Unfortunately, however, the term “sanctuary” is unregulated and individuals who exploit animals for profit often use it as a way to draw in well-intentioned visitors (and their money). In order to avoid falling into this trap, it’s important to know what to look for in a responsible wildlife sanctuary and what questions to ask. If a facility fails to meet these standards, won’t directly answer questions about their operations, or feels “off” in any way, it’s best to steer clear.
To identify a responsible wildlife sanctuary, be on the lookout for:
Conditions that mimic natural habitats as closely as possible
The Although it’s impossible to fully replicate the wild, animals should be living in conditions that are a reasonable likeness. They should not be kept in concrete boxes or metal crates. They should not be restrained. Their enclosures should include natural substances (e.g. branches, leaves, rocks) and they should have opportunities to hide, nest, or climb as they naturally would.
Adherence to the Five Freedom
The Five Freedoms were developed in the 1960s and provide the basis for internationally recognized animal welfare standards, ensuring that animals are as physically comfortable as possible. These include:
1) freedom from hunger and thirst (sufficient access to a species-appropriate diet and fresh water),
2) freedom from discomfort (living in a comfortable environment that takes into consideration temperature, substrate, space, air quality, noise, and safety),
3) freedom from pain, injury, or disease (kept in good health and with 24/7 access to veterinary care, as needed),
4) freedom to express normal behavior (sufficient space, novel and engaging environmental enrichments, and species-appropriate social groups to the greatest extent possible), and
5) freedom from fear and distress (avoiding fear, frustration, hunger, pain or boredom).
Animals allowed to engage in natural behaviors, with no expectations from humans
All animals should be allowed to engage in their natural behaviors to the fullest extent possible and never be expected or forced to “perform” for humans. A responsible sanctuary will not have any type of “show” in which animals are forced to do things like play soccer, harvest coconuts, do tricks, or wear clothes.
No physical contact between guests and animals
Guests should not be allowed to touch, bathe, ride, take photos with, or otherwise physically engage with animals. Not only does this violate the principle of natural behavior and cause stress in wild animals, but it also increases the risk of physical harm and disease transmission.
No breeding or trading
No reputable sanctuary should be intentionally breeding animals, and should be actively working to prohibit natural pregnancies among their residents. If you see babies, ask questions. Many sanctuaries rescue pregnant animals or orphaned young, or experience the occasional contraceptive failure, but if the birth of a baby animal is promoted or is happening regularly, that’s a red flag that they are being used to bring in more tourist money.
Animals should not be relocated or traded between facilities unless there is a very compelling reason (e.g. one sanctuary performed emergency medical care on a species they do not normally care for and, once stabilized, that animal was later moved to a facility with others of the same species).
Education is a priority
For sanctuaries that allow visitors, education about the animals and the threats they face should be the primary focus of their tours. These tours should be an opportunity to gain a better understanding of both the problem and the role visitors can play in the solution. All tours should be fully escorted so that staff can ensure no visitors harass or attempt to engage with the animals.
Accreditation
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) has an international accreditation program that includes collaboration and mentoring for facilities around the world, and is a good resource for finding sanctuaries that meet the above standards. World Animal Protection also provides a list of elephant-specific considerations and verified elephant-friendly venues in Asia.
Reviews
You can also read reviews that others have left, but be aware that many people fail to recognize low-welfare conditions and still leave positive reviews for exploitative facilities. Instead of taking all reviews at face-value, look for red flags or negative themes. Read the one- and two-star reviews, which is where most significant concerns will be noted.
A note on zoos, aquariums, and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Accreditation
While there is certainly a spectrum of care when it comes to these facilities, even the best zoos and aquariums violate many of the above standards. They are, by definition, operations that exist in order to financially profit from the confinement of animals who have no reason to be in captivity. They regularly breed and trade animals as commodities, expose them to regular harassment by visitors, and teach children and adults alike to treat living beings as a form of entertainment.
We strongly encourage everyone to avoid supporting these types of facilities – both at home and when traveling. Instead, enjoy wildlife in the wild. And if you have the opportunity, spend your money at true sanctuaries that are doing the important work of providing peace and safety to individuals who have suffered, often at the hands of the human species. We owe it to them.
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