A research carried out for World Animal Protection revealed that over 57 per cent of the people in India pay or are ready to pay for a wild animal experience, without a thought for the mental and physical trauma faced by the animals. Those oblivious to the suffering of animals in the tourism and entertainment industries, end up invariably contributing to it. These animals are tamed and subdued using cruel subjugation methods that literally break their spirit, strip them of their dignity and force them to perform actions which don't come naturally to them, all for a few minutes of so called entertainment.
Thankfully, there are organisations such as the World Animal Protection (WAP), formerly known by the name of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), that have campaigned successfully against the horrible practice of bear dancing not only in India, but also, in Greece and Turkey. They are tirelessly campaigning to create awareness about the worst animal abuses inflicted on animals today.
World Animal Protection plans to launch a global campaign on World Animal Day by exposing the hidden suffering of the wild animals used in the tourism entertainment industry in travel destinations frequented by Indian tourists both at home and overseas.
Gajendra Sharma, World Animal Protection's India's Country Director has this to say, “The need to raise awareness in India of the suffering endured by wild animals in the tourism industry is highlighted by attitudes to one of India's most loved and revered wild animals - the elephant. Our research shows that 64 per cent of people in India think that riding an elephant is acceptable. Despite India moving in the right direction by ending the cruel tradition of bear dancing and introducing legislation for captive elephants; many people here - and around the world - still simply don't realise that animal entertainment is animal abuse. At home or overseas, it makes no difference; wild animals belong in the wild. Now that people know the truth we're calling for them to help us raise awareness and end this animal cruelty once and for all."
Join World Animal Protection in putting an end to this cruelty.
World Animal Protection campaign website: http://beforetheybook.worldanimalprotection.org/en-in
World Animal Protection campaign film: http://beforetheybook.worldanimalprotection.org/en-in/#video.
World Animal Protection Facebook page: facebook.com/worldanimalprotectionindia
Author: Purva Variyar.Â
