Ruthless Tourism:


A peek into the wildlife entertainment industry

watch our campaign trailer
Elephant carrying a person with his trunk in a circus act

Think before you book


How to avoid animal abuse during your holidays 

Read more
Travel Kind for animals

animal-friendly travel


Download our #TravelKind guide

Download now

Animal abuse for tourism is real, so think before you book your trip

#RuthlessTourism

From festivals, to zoos, circuses or for selfies, animals are suffering for our entertainment.

Few tourists are aware, however, that these animals have not adapted to be around humans, but are usually sedated or psychologically ‘beaten’ down to the point of submission. They go back to small cages, where they spend the rest of their lives, with no access to proper food, nature or even light. 

This is their true story. 

Think before you book!

What at first glance might appear as an appealing tourist attraction or a nice souvenir, 
is often connected to pain and distress for the animals involved. 
Please be considerate towards animals and ...

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

meet the animal victims of tourism

circus bear

ruthless tourism


From big cats to apes, meet the victims of the trade.

Learn more

Locked up


Exhausted after 4 shows a day, the bear is immediately put back in his trailer.

Watch the Video

Tamed with a whip


To make the lions perform, trainers use whips and muzzles and punish them when they don’t obey.

Watch the Video

exploited


Tiger Noa is born and raised in captivity. She is now used for selfies and walks, only to go back alone in her cage. 

this is noa's story

Going cheap


It costs 5 euros to ride an elephant in Germany, but an invaluable amount of suffering for the animals.

Watch the Video

suffering


Often, unscrupulous ZOOs keep the animals in spaces far too small, with no provision for individual feeding or sleeping areas.

Watch the Video

psychological trauma


Kept in a small cage with no proper light of vegetation, this is a far cry from the life these intelligent animals would live in the wild.

Watch the Video

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND INJURIES


In the wild, giraffes live up to about 25 years, but in captivity, they rarely make it that long.

Watch the Video

chains of abuse


Wolves used in Medieval shows in France develop a submissive behaviour, looking timid and scared around their handlers.

Watch the Video

FORCED


This bear must perform tricks and unnatural movements for the entertainment of the crowd. 

Watch the Video

Harmful entertainment


Sea lions are usually found in groups with complex social structures, that cannot be provided in captivity.

Watch the Video

Life in captivity


The wild animals spend their lives in a trailer, only to be taken out for shows.

Watch the Video

no natural habitat


Bears have been a touristic attraction in this moat since 1707.

Watch the Video

Ruthless tourism Trailer

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Animal abuse for tourism is happening now, everywhere.

Europe is not the only one.

Spain

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Tigress Noa

For 150 euros, tourists can now 'rent' Noa for an hour, walk her on a leash, pet her and take selfies.

GERMANY

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Elephant Riding

For just five euros you ride on an elephant’s back in Germany. They can be ridden, as well as fed, washed and taken for a walk. If the elephants are not booked, they perform tricks in the circus or pull visitors on sledges in the winter. 

czech republic

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Circus shows are endlessly cruel!

Looking visibly weak, the animals in this Czech Republic circus are made to perform tricks such as jumping over hurdles, running around the ring, standing up and posing, and spinning on small platforms. 

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Centuries of captivity!

Bears have been kept in this moat in the Czech Republic since 1707. The enclosures don’t resemble their natural habitat, and the wild animals deserve better than being kept as a fun visitor experience!

france

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Wild animals-shows at Medieval festivals are brutal and unnecessary!

The owner believes these shows are educational and that the animals choose to perform, but the reality looks much different.

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

This venue in France offers interactions and shows with animals!

Kept in a cage for life, these animals are deprived of their natural social structure and habitats. Because of this, often animals are seen rocking back and forth or pacing. These are signs of psychological trauma.

Our responsible alternatives to wildlife tourism

Our FOUR PAWS sanctuaries and collaboration projects provide the adequate care for numerous wild animals rescued from poorly kept zoos, circuses and other exploitative venues and industries.

Bear Cuc BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

A FOUR PAWS project in Vietnam since 2017

More
Lioness Neida at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

A FOUR PAWS project in South Africa since 2006

More
Bear Luna at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

A FOUR PAWS project in Germany since 2006

More
More FOUR PAWS Sanctuaries

Share now!

Search