04 October 2019

G Adventures launches new animal welfare policy

G Adventures has used World Animal Day, October 4, to announce a new animal welfare policy.

Developed in consultation with World Animal Protection, the Jane Goodall Institute, and the World Cetacean Alliance, the policy supersedes the industry-leading animal welfare guidelines introduced by G Adventures in 2015.

Having no physical contact with, or feeding non-domesticated animals in captivity or the wild, not visiting performances or shows involving wild animals, and not consuming endangered animals, are three ways travellers can ensure 'wildlife has a wild life'.

A video entitled 'Wildlife has the right to a wild life' has been launched alongside the new policy to educate people to interact with wildlife in a way that does not harm animals or put people, both locals and travellers, in danger.

The video reminds people about basic animal welfare such as not taking pictures with wild animals that may have been sedated, or riding elephants which will have been harmed to carry humans.

It also introduces the strengthened aspects of the policy, such as not feeding animals or having any physical contact with them, and addresses the consumption of endangered species by travellers.

The new policy is one of G Adventures' many 'G for Good' commitments, and builds on the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals In Tourism  which were announced in 2015 by ABTA UK, and based around the Five Freedoms - freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, pain, freedom from injury or disease, freedom to express normal behaviour and being free of fear and distress.

G Adventures is also feeding into the updating and revision of the ABTA Guidance which will launch later this year.