Bali’s Dark Side: Wildlife Suffering Revealed in ‘Paradise Lost’ Report

The report from World Animal Protection sheds light on the distressing conditions and suffering endured by wildlife in various tourist venues in Bali and Lombok. It reveals a stark contrast between the perception of these locations as tropical paradises and the harsh reality faced by over 1,300 animals, including elephants, orangutans, and dolphins.

Some key points from the report include:

1. Ongoing Animal Suffering: The investigation found that wild animals in these venues continue to experience inadequate conditions, with no noticeable improvement over the past six years.
2. Cruel Attractions: Certain wildlife attractions, such as elephant riding and bathing, close encounters with wildlife for selfies, swimming with dolphins in artificial pools, and touching turtles in confined spaces, were identified as particularly cruel.

1. Elephants in Chains: Shockingly, elephants were observed chained without shade during the day at prominent venues like Mason Elephant Park and Tasta Zoo.

2. Travel Companies Profiting: Major travel operators, including Trip.com, GetYourGuide, and Traveloka, were reported to persist in promoting and selling these inhumane wildlife entertainment attractions, despite the growing demand for responsible tourism.

The report emphasizes that despite some minor changes since the last investigation in 2017, no establishment has made significant improvements to meet the basic needs of the animals held in captivity.

World Animal Protection’s call for ethical tourism urges travelers to avoid wildlife venues that exploit animals and, instead, support accredited sanctuaries and Wildlife Heritage Areas. The organization, in collaboration with the World Cetacean Alliance, has launched a global program to work with responsible travel businesses and wildlife charities, aiming to transform the way people interact with and understand wildlife. The initiative includes the establishment of Wildlife Heritage Areas in several countries as a solution to eradicate animal exploitation from the modern tourism sector.

The report underscores the need for a shift in the tourism industry toward a more sustainable model that prioritizes the well-being and rights of wild animals. It calls for the closure of exploitative attractions that subject animals to suffering for the sake of tourist entertainment.