Mexico City-based travel company Bamba Experience, an adventure travel company which sells trips in more than 70 countries across 5 continents, announced that it has signed our wildlife-friendly travel pledge, committing to not sell or promote any venue, activity or show involving elephant riding or other forms of wildlife entertainment. Bamba has committed to instead offer activities with a high animal welfare standard, allowing for responsible viewing of wild animals in their natural habitats.
Bamba for Good Manager Katie Zellhoefer said, “As a tourism company, we feel strongly that travelers can help drive change to improve the lives of animals affected by tourism worldwide."
"Travelers themselves can set an example of responsible tourism and influence others to participate in activities with a high level of animal welfare, as well as avoiding purchasing souvenirs made from animal products and refraining from taking wildlife ‘selfies.’ These actions can collectively decrease the demand for animal venues that involve cruelty.”
After eliminating elephant riding activities from its trips in 2014, Bamba decided to expand on its animal welfare efforts by creating a full animal welfare policy and reached out to us for guidance.
Bamba has demonstrated its commitment to animal welfare by signing our wildlife-friendly travel pledge. In addition to re-evaluating its suppliers to make sure they comply with the company’s animal welfare policy, Bamba will also educate its customers about the truth behind the scenes of these attractions so tourists understand why these venues are cruel to wild animals.
“As the first travel company in Latin America to commit to our wildlife-friendly travel pledge, Bamba is sending a powerful message to all travel companies in this region that wild animals are not entertainers,” says Roberto Vieto, our Wildlife Campaign Manager for Latin America..
“Travel companies have a huge role to play in protecting wild animals in tourism by committing to phase out cruel wildlife activities like elephant rides, as Bamba has. We look forward to working with them as they implement this policy and educate their tourists on the importance of seeing animals in the wild, not in captivity for entertainment.”
