The International Animal Welfare Organization World Animal Protection commends and recognizes the latest legal guideline by a court on the unethical and immoral practice of baiting lions for tourism in Gir National Park in Gujarat Press::

As part of this landmark legal guideline governing the nature of wildlife tourism, two tour and tour operating companies, 1000 Islands Hotels and Resort and Wolf and Company, have committed to support the wildlife-friendly pledge of World Animal Protection that tour operators encourage unethical exploitation of animals, including elephant rides and selfies with wildlife on tiger farms and other captive facilities.

World animal protection

Maulik Bhagat, Managing Director of 1000 Island Hotels and Resort, endorsed the practice of ethical wildlife tourism in signing the World Animal Protection pledge, saying, “We at Woods at Sasan, a modern luxury retreat, are proud to be first in India to successfully incorporate ‘biophilia’ into its foundation. Biophilia reflects a way of life that is immersed in nature, aiming to connect the world inside with the essence of nature outside, and keeping the inclusion of the environment at bay. This vision encourages us to protect our wildlife so they can thrive in their natural homes. However, in the face of increasing urbanization, we recognize that wildlife in entertainment poses a serious threat to the protection and welfare of animals and consequently affects the health of our planet. While many travelers wish to express their desire to visit places that directly or indirectly abuse wildlife, we are committed to protecting natural flora and fauna and not directing tourists to establishments that have entertainment at the expense of animal welfare. We are committed to no tolerance for animal abuse such as elephant rides, selfies with tigers, or unethical practices such as luring lions for frivolous sports in Gir National Park in Gujarat. (as recently reflected in the national press). I, Maulik Bhagat and my entire team, are proud of the wildlife-friendly promise of world animal protection and stand by the message that wild animals belong in the wild. “

Emphasized the importance of ethics in wildlife tourism, which includes the exploitation of wild animals following the coronavirus pandemic, noted naturalist and owner of Wolf and Company, Sunny Shah, noted, “The coronavirus pandemic has taught us that humanity is no further abuse of wildlife, so we would like to highlight the post-pandemic “better deconstruction” message to set a good example for all travel and tourism companies involved in wildlife tourism. We are categorically against baiting lions for tourist entertainment in Gujarat’s Gir National Park, which recently made headlines in the national press. We support the principles of world animal welfare to stop the abuse of all wild animals in entertainment and promote the idea that animal welfare and conservation friendly tourism is the way forward for a humane model of sustainable tourism after the supposed pandemic were caused by people living in abusive situations came into contact with wild animals. We also encourage our customers not to continue traveling to locations that offer elephant rides and other forms of captive wild animal exploitation. “

Mr. Gajender K Sharma, Country Director for World Animal Welfare in India, welcomes the legal guideline on the baiting of lions in Gir and the associated wildlife-friendly commitments by tour operators and emphasizes: “As an organization we are fully committed to ethical tourism practices, involving wildlife both in the wild and in captivity. We wholeheartedly welcome the court’s instruction to punish the criminals who attract lions to tourism, and we strongly emphasize the principle of “better deconstruction” to promote a more humane, responsible and animal-friendly model of tourism on behalf of tour operators the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. We’re excited to add 1000 Island Hotels and Resort and Wolf and Company to our group to prevent the tourism industry from promoting elephant rides, selfies with captive tigers, and other abusive wildlife practices. We hope that the example given by the court, as well as these two responsible companies, will pave the way for more companies to support ethical, animal-friendly practices. “

Notes for editors

  • For details on World Animal Protection’s work in promoting ethical wildlife tourism practices, please visit: www.worldanimalprotection.org.in/be-part-change
  • For more information about the Wildlife Campaign, photos and videos, or to schedule an interview, please email or call:

1) Ms. Amita Wadhwani, Digital Marketing Manager, World Animal Protection

Email: amitawadhwani@worldanimalprotection.org.in

Phone: 8860005730

2) Shubhobroto Ghosh

Email: shubhobrotoghosh@worldanimalprotection.org.in

Phone: 9953965242

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