Nepal is famous for its elephant back rides in Chitwan national park and tiger trails in Royal Bardia National Park. Our friends at The Animal Welfare Network Nepal and Anti-Animal Sacrifice Alliance in Nepal have helped us put together this information on animal welfare issues in tourism to make sure that you are aware of issues regarding animal welfare and animal friendly tourism in Nepal while experiencing this fascinating and stunning country.
One of the things to consider is whether your holiday expenses support trades and events that profit from animal suffering, pain and death. When you are on holiday, you can enjoy the beauty of nature and rich cultural traditions of Nepal without taking part in activities that directly or indirectly harm animals.
Do not pay to watch an animal perform tricks or ‘sports’
Parrots are used in Nepal by soothsayers to predict the future. The birds are illegally trapped from the wild. Its wings and tail feathers are clipped. Many do not survive the trauma of capture, transport and training.
Snake charmers force snakes to ‘dance’ to their tunes. After being trapped their teeth are yanked out without any painkillers, their mouths are often sewn shut (leaving a little gap to pour water or milk down), and their venom ducts are often pierced with a hot needle. None of the snakes lives very long, and death comes slowly and painfully.
Elephant polo may seem a fun game but remember that elephants do not naturally ride bicycles, balance on balls or play polo. In order to force them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks, trainers typically use cruel spirit-breaking training methods that inflict pain and cause fear. Similarly, taking baths with elephants in one of Nepal’s National Parks can be a lot of fun for humans but remember it turns bathing into yet another job for the jumbo.
Do not participate in animal rides.
In Nepal you will frequently come across animals forced to take tourists for rides in sweltering temperatures without sufficient food or water. Some are malnourished, abused, old, injured or even pregnant. In the Terai so called tongas (taxis) are pulled by horses or donkeys who often literally work till they drop. When you are trekking your luggage could be carried by an overloaded and underfed yak or donkey. In National Parks, captive elephants are used in safari tours. There are welfare, economic and environmental concerns associated with the breeding, taming, training and utilization of these jumbos.
The Nepal government breeds elephants for tourism activities and anti-poaching efforts. Captive elephants suffer from serious health problems and a high mortality rate.
The elephants are separated from their mothers at a young age and are trained using punishment and reward methods. The traditional taming methods leave the elephant traumatized. Mahouts or handlers use a stick or sharp hook to prod sensitive points on the elephants to head. Riding on an elephant’s back does not represent the nature and mysteries of a majestic elephant spirit!
Animal Rides: Get Off Their Backs! If there is no alternative make sure the animal is not overloaded and receives the rest, medical treatment and nutrition it deserves.
Select meat from humanely killed animals or be vegetarian. In Nepal, in the absence of slaughterhouses, almost all animals are killed out in the open by hammers and knives. In order to meet the growing meat demands of Kathmandu residents, an average of 500 buffaloes are killed each day. The transport from other parts of the country to the capital is extremely long and cruel. The animals are tied from their noses to prevent them from moving, causing bleeding and excessive trauma, and are not fed or watered.
The fate of goats and chicken is hardly any better; it takes only one look at a local butcher shop to know their end too is hardly a humane one. A research showed that 90% of random meat samples in Kathmandu are contaminated with unwanted bacteria.
Choosing vegetarian food will prevent animal cruelty and make sure you stay healthy. If you must eat meat ask for that of a company that kills animals more humanely (list available at
here).
Never buy souvenirs made from animals. When you buy souvenirs made from skins, shells, ivory, feathers, bone, fur or other animal products, the animals pay with their lives. Shatoosh shawls are made from the highly endangered Tibetan antelope. Buying endangered species products not only fuels demand and causes more suffering, it pushes the species further towards extinction. Under Nepalese law it is also a serious offence to import, export or possess an endangered species (including their parts, related products or derivatives) without a proper permit.
Never watch animal sacrifice and avoid temples where sacrifices take place. In Nepal every year, hundreds of thousands of animals are sacrificed. Goddess temples awash with blood on days deemed auspicious for sacrifice. During festivals even more animals are being sacrificed, at times hundreds of thousands in the span of 24 hours. Nepal’ government subsidizes certain animal sacrifice rituals. Apart from sacrifice through throat slitting and beheading other extreme forms of blood sacrifices include the tearing apart of a live goat, burning of live snakes and other animals, live skinning of pigs, removal of hearts of live animals, as well as cruel sports such as bull fighting. Your presence in a temple or festival where sacrifices take place will be considered as an encouragement.
What can you do if you see an animal suffering?
If you see instances of animal cruelty, record what you have seen through photos or videotape but never pay to take such pictures. Make sure to record the date, time, location, type and number of animals involved. Express your support for action to end these abusive practices. It is vital to lodge your protests locally in the first instance. Report the cruelty to:
Event organizer/temple committee
Nepal Tourism Board office
Local police · A local animal welfare society
Your tour operator
When you return home, inform the country's embassy, your local politicians, and/or international welfare organizations.
About Animal Welfare Network Nepal
Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN) is a network of individuals and organizations who act to improve the lives of animals. AWNN’s vision is to create a cruelty free society in which all creatures can live in peace.
For more information about Animal Welfare Network Nepal take a look at the
Animal Welfare Network Nepal website here.
Want to know more about the issues? Check out the
Stop Animal Sacrifice website here.
For more information about animal welfare check out our
animal welfare section here.
See Nepal for yourself, take a look at our
Nepal holidays.
