Tour operator creating bespoke tours to benefit you and the local community
Animal protection
our stance on animal protection
- Miremby will never knowingly compromise the welfare of any animal for the purpose of our trips. We want to protect animals and their natural environments, or otherwise contribute towards the best welfare standards in the tourism industry for those in captivity.
- Miremby wants to offer authentic, enriching experiences which benefit our customers, the local communities, the natural environment and the wildlife within.
- Animal interactions sit at the heart of many of our trips, providing sustainable livelihoods, conservation funds, rehabilitation and rewilding programmes to be sustainable.
- It is our responsibility to have an animal protection policy that is robust, clear and well communicated to ensure that all experiences are ethical and there is zero exploitation of animals, nature and local communities.
No contact policy
- Miremby does not believe that humans should be in direct contact with any wildlife, be that in a natural environment or in an enclosed interaction.
- We should not be picking plants, removing seeds or touching coral.
- We should not be feeding wild or feral animals.
Why?
Because we believe the experiences on our trips are more authentic for allowing wildlife to be wild, and nature to be natural. But more importantly we want to protect the world around us by not jeopardising any animal’s physiological wellbeing by interrupting their natural behaviours and surroundings.
- Often the impacts we have are not visible, so whilst handling an animal, for example, seems harmless – in reality we may be reducing its survivability incrementally.
- Our no contact policy includes community animals (stray and feral) which can risk the health and safety of customers and staff. If domesticated pets are handled it must be with permission of the owners.
- We should not be in contact with tame wild animals, which are different from domesticated animals (such as a wild animal or bird which has been raised as a pet).
- We understand that animals will initiate contact on occasion, and this is acceptable provided they are not encouraged by enticing them with food or objects, and have freedom of choice and are able to move away.
Our advise
- Make sure when viewing wildlife you are at least 2m away from the animal
- If unwell please consider wearing a face-mask, especially with primates as we can pass on human illnesses to primates
- Report to your guide any unethical wildlife viewing you encounter, so this can be reported through the correct channels.
No wildlife selfies
Miremby has a No wildlife selfie policy. One of the most harmful side affects of a selfie is the increased demand for “cute” pictures with wildlife. In Madagascar this has led to an increased demand for lemurs as pets and the illegal trade of these animals.
‘Selfie’ has become a much derided word; a symbol of all that is superficial in the age of social media and smartphones. But a 2017 report by the charity World Animal Protection (WAP) has revealed a darker side to selfies – with evidence that they are encouraging the abuse of wildlife, and even pushing some species towards extinction.
How can selfies harm wildlife?
- As a tourist, you should never interfere with wildlife, either by touching it, picking it up, feeding it or coming too close.
- Approaching wildlife can scare it, as well as transmit diseases. Feeding wildlife can be harmful if inappropriate food is provided. It also encourages behavioural changes as animals seek out people in the hope of receiving food. This in turn leads to habituation, and animals that are not afraid of humans may stray onto roads, farmland and villages, where conflict can occur and the animals may be harmed or killed.
- Any form of wildlife photography must always be approached with this is mind, but the issue with selfies is that, by nature, these involve much closer contact with the animals.
- Competitive tour companies realise this type of encounter is in demand, and guides might encourage tourists to get closer to animals than is advisable. In the worst case scenarios, animals have been captured and tied up or caged so that they can be handled and photographed by tourists.
- Often people underestimate the impacts of social media on animals that live in the wild. Due to it being so far removed from daily life, it can be hard to imagine how tweeting or posting a photo of a “cute” animal can have negative consequences.
- Lemurs are often kept as pets in hotels, restaurants, for tourists to take selfies with or to cuddle. Although keeping lemurs as pets is illegal it is a law that is hard to enforce. With the rise in lemur selfies, the demand for lemurs as pets has increased.
Our advise
- Refrain from getting close to wildlife
- Understand the consequences of posting to social media, such as using the phrases “cute, adorable, I want one” can have negative impact to wildlife.
- Report to your guide if you see or witness any inappropriate behaviour