All over the world, captive wild animals are being exploited as souvenir photo props – this has to end

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Dear John,

Manipulated, manhandled and mutilated; all over the world, captive wild animals are being exploited as souvenir photo props. Born Free is campaigning to put an end to these Selfish Selfies.

You can help end this cruel practice, by signing our pledge to Stop Selfish Selfies.

STOP SELFISH SELFIES ( [link removed] )

What is a Selfish Selfie?

Our love of animals, particularly our fascination with wild and exotic species, means the chance to get as close as possible, perhaps even touch and hold them, is often a strong temptation.

This temptation is exploited by those wanting to profit at the expense of the animals involved. Sadly, it has become common for captive wild animals to be used as living props for souvenir photos and selfie opportunities at tourist attractions, zoos, and other facilities.

Every year, Born Free receives many ‘Red Flag’ reports about the thousands of captive animals that are being exploited as photo props around the world and suffering for our amusement. The desire for that souvenir photo with a cute or scary animal, perfect for the mantlepiece or as a social media selfie, often overrides our moral conscience, and we act without a second thought for the individual animal’s welfare, the impacts on its wild counterparts, or the potential dangers involved.

Put simply, the desire for a wild animal selfie is just plain selfish.

PLEDGE TO END SELFISH SELFIES ( [link removed] )

Why are Selfish Selfies so harmful?

Many people who truly love animals have posed with an animal for a photo or selfie in the past because they are simply not aware of the harm they can cause.

While the animals being offered as photo props don’t always appear to be in poor health, there are often a multitude of cruel practices taking place behind the scenes, including:

Manipulation by being dressed up, chained, tethered or even sedated by drugs often concealed in feeding bottlesMutilation with their teeth or claws removed, wings pinioned or cutExtreme distress caused by constant handling, noise, sun exposure, camera flashes and crowdsPoor housing and care, cramped conditions, malnutrition, and lack of medical treatmentWhen no longer useful, animals can be abandoned, sold, or even killed

You can help put an end to this – sign our Stop Selfish Selfies pledge today.

SIGN THE PLEDGE ( [link removed] )

By signing our Stop Selfish Selfies Pledge, you are committing to refuse to be a part of the exploitation of captive wild animals as photo props. If there is no demand for Selfish Selfie photo opportunities, then operators will have no incentive to continue them.

Signing the pledge also means you are amplifying your voice, and our voice, into a collective voice that will become too loud to be ignored. With your support, Born Free will be able to pressure travel companies, tour operators, industry bodies and governments to implement measures to prevent the exploitation of innocent animals.

So please, sign the pledge today ( [link removed] ), and please share this email with all your friends – together, we can make a difference.

Thank you,
The Born Free Team

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Images © Aaron Gekoski, Born Free

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Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1ER

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