Dreamworld, one among Queensland’s hottest vacationer sights, has introduced a whole ban on human interactions with tigers.
This transfer marks the fruits of a transition flagged in 2022 when Dreamworld dedicated to phasing out direct tiger interactions after criticism from animal welfare advocates, together with World Animal Safety Australia.
The choice displays shifting public sentiment in opposition to outdated wildlife tourism practices that fail to respect the dignity and pure behaviours of animals.
Dreamworld’s modifications align with rising international advocacy for moral therapy of captive wildlife.
In keeping with Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Safety Australia, “Public sentiment is continuous to shift away from outdated, direct interactions with captive wildlife.”
As a serious tourism venue in Queensland, Dreamworld’s ban units a precedent for wildlife tourism practices within the state.
The park’s earlier tiger shows, which included handlers feeding the animals milk from bottles and performing choreographed reveals, have now been changed with non-direct interplay fashions.
Milthorpe commented, “Dreamworld’s earlier presentation of those tigers…didn’t illustrate their pure behaviours or deal with these apex predators with dignity.”
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2022 Report: World Animal Safety’s ‘Too Shut For Consolation’ report highlighted Dreamworld’s practices and referred to as for modifications.
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Broader Pattern: Lone Pine Sanctuary additionally banned koala cuddling earlier this yr.
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70 Years: World Animal Safety has over seven a long time of expertise advocating for animal welfare globally.
The choice follows in depth campaigning by World Animal Safety Australia, which printed the damning report in 2022.
The report argued that Dreamworld’s tiger interactions misrepresented the animals as pets or circus performers somewhat than apex predators.
This alteration is a part of a broader motion in wildlife tourism, as vacationers more and more demand moral practices.
Milthorpe famous, “Our analysis reveals vacationers are more and more desirous to see a transfer away from these merciless direct encounters.” The way forward for wildlife tourism, advocates say, lies in seeing animals of their pure habitats.
Dreamworld is now urged to reassess different direct wildlife interactions, together with their koala cuddle choices.
In keeping with Milthorpe, “We stay up for Dreamworld assessing their different direct wildlife interactions, together with their koala cuddles, which Lone Pine Sanctuary banned earlier this yr.”
This milestone provides to a sequence of latest wins for captive wildlife advocacy, pushing Queensland’s tourism business to modernise its practices.
