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