Animondial’s Post

Is nature an integral part of your sustainability and net zero strategies? As it underpins EVERYTHING, it should be. The Animondial blog series are an essential read for the Travel & Tourism sector. You can sign up here for a monthly update: https://lnkd.in/gMcurgWr #naturepositivetourism #biodiversity #sustainabletourism #endangeredspecies #sustainabilitynews #fornature #itsnowfornature

Breaking news and expert tips from Animondial, the team behind Natour Impact. Animal Welfare is one of the four core modules of the Natour Impact online assessment (in addition to Biodiversity Protection, Sustainable Consumption and Community Engagement). The assessment enables you to identify your dependencies and impacts in order that you can establish your Nature Positive Tourism strategy and priority actions you can start to implement. For more details on Natour Impact, visit https://lnkd.in/edhDhpFw #naturepositivetourism #naturepositive #animalwelfare #travelandtourism #travelindustrynews

Breaking news and tips from Animondial, experts in Nature Positive Tourism and the team behind Natour Impact. Be sure to sign up to our monthly newsletter for more industry insight: www.animondial.com Animal Welfare is one of the four core modules of the Natour Impact online assessment (in addition to Biodiversity Protection, Sustainable Consumption and Community Engagement). The assessment enables you to identify your dependencies and impacts in order that you can establish your Nature Positive Tourism strategy and priority actions you can start to implement. For more details on Animondial services and Natour Impact, visit https://lnkd.in/eB9UDDVK #naturepositivetourism #naturepositive #animalwelfare #travelandtourism #travelindustrynews

How well do you know your impact on animals and nature? New legislation is putting focus on the responsibility and accountability of businesses to know the welfare standards of the products/services they are promoting and selling. The new UK Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act prohibits the sale and advertising of activities abroad which involve low standards of welfare for animals. Read through the tips we have collated here and sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay abreast of the latest news and expert guidance from Animondial: www.animondial.com Who are we? Animondial is a specialist consultancy working with travel and tourism businesses to improve animal welfare, halt biodiversity loss and ensure nature’s recovery. Combining experience in developing and delivering ground-breaking initiatives, policy advances, science-based guidance and professional trainings, Animondial is supporting the global industry to transition towards a nature-positive future: mitigating harms to animals and biodiversity, and building back nature. Notable outputs include: the creation of Natour Impact, an online tool for businesses to identify their nature-related risks and opportunities; the authorship of ABTA’s Animal Welfare Guidelines and auditing support; and World Travel & Tourism Council’s Preventing Illegal Wildlife Trade and Nature Positive Travel & Tourism reports. Businesses work with Animondial to navigate the complexities of animal and nature protection, evaluate and disclose their operational impacts and opportunities, and identify community-centred conservation partnerships. For nature related tips and support services including how you can assess YOUR business impact: animal welfare, biodiversity protection, sustainable consumption and community engagement visit: www.animondial.com #naturepositive #naturepositivetourism #animalwelfare #sustainabletourism #sustainabletravel #biodiversity #travelandtourism #travelindustrynews #biodiversityprotection #animondial #impactassessment

Kabbe North residents want permission to catch crocs, hippos: Martin Endjala KABBE North Constituency residents in the Zambezi region are pushing for a policy that will allow them to catch crocodiles and hippopotamuses every year to lower their population and eliminate human-wildlife conflicts. The residents appealed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday during a public session. The parliamentary committee is touring the region for community input on the critical subject of human-wildlife conflict. Human-wildlife conflict has already been discussed in the National Assembly after various communities nationwide complained about wild animals killing them and their cattle and damaging their houses. Kabbe residents live near the river, where crocodile and hippopotamus populations are increasing, forcing wild animals to fight with humans for resources such as water and fish. Alfred Ilukena, a member of the village, remarked that the concept of conservation has been misconstrued to mean tourism, which has allowed troublesome animal populations to flourish. “Human and animal populations are growing, but land size remains constant. As a result, in the same environment, we have competing interests. If we wish to coexist with animals, we must restrict their numbers, particularly crocodiles and hippos, which are abundant in this region. The Environment Ministry should develop a policy that allows for the annual harvesting of crocodiles, which have significantly increased in our rivers,” he recommended. He pointed out that crocodiles are to blame for the area’s deaths of humans and cattle. “Crocodiles lay 30 to 60 eggs per nest on average, and their number is increasing; at the same time, when their food becomes depleted in the river, they are forced to look for food somewhere,” he said. Ilukena added that while Namibia is a signatory to conventions that call for the protection of endangered species, including pressure from international organisations, deliberate efforts should be made to protect the welfare of communities that such problem animals directly threaten. He emphasised that seals are being culled because of the harm they pose to marine resources, and he questioned why the government is not doing the same with other troublesome animals whose populations are growing. “International organisations aren’t coming to our villages to see how people suffer. How can they tell us how to handle our resources? Let us be bold and implement a policy,” Ilukena added. He stated that compensation fees for human-wildlife conflicts are insufficient, and payments are frequently delayed. “We are also confined to crop damage caused by three problematic animals, elephants, buffaloes, and hippopotamuses. It has since been discovered that individuals who live beyond the bounds of conservancies cannot receive compensation from the Conservancy…

https://lnkd.in/ew7Ekuud Since starting my most recent job at the Toronto Zoo, a number of questions have been asked. Many friends and family members have been curious about what sets the Toronto Zoo apart from roadside attractions, and why I align myself with a zoo. I think there’s a great deal of stigma around the word “zoo”, and that’s for good reason. In Ontario, there are over 30 animal attractions which use the word “zoo” in the name. What exactly is a zoo then? A zoo by definition is an establishment which maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public. What sets zoos apart from one another? Reputation, education, and accreditation are the three attributes that I feel are very important. In Ontario, there’s no regulation for owning exotic non-native animals at a provincial level. Regulating these animals is done by municipalities which often lack or have non-existent rules. It’s incredibly important for everyone to be able to determine an established zoo from a roadside zoo, and know what sets them apart. I’m incredibly proud to work for a zoo which upholds AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) care and welfare standards, while promoting education, conservation, and research. 🐾

“Large-scale Exploitation of Wild Animals: Unpacking the Unsustainable Wildlife Trade and its Effects on Species in the Wild” April 23, 2024 ConservationMag.org DEVAN SCHOWE, Born Free USA “Progress can be Made at the Individual Level, Too: Until changes in legislation are made, on an individual basis, one must ensure that they are not indirectly contributing to unsustainable wildlife trade and the depletion of animals threatened by extinction in the wild. The average consumer can become more aware and informed by paying attention to ingredients in food, especially when traveling; not buying jewelry or other products without verifying that they are made without products from threatened or legally protected species; choosing not to go to or otherwise support facilities not accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), which often claim to be “sanctuaries” despite existing for human entertainment and profit; not supporting pet stores that sell exotic animals; and finally, choosing not to support accounts or posts online that depict exploitative practices with wild animals. On social media, some red flags that typically indicate harmful and problematic practices with wild animals include: animals having direct physical contact with humans; animals outside of their natural environment; animals that are alone, in an unnatural social grouping, or in contact with an animal of a different species that strikes you as an unusual pairing; an animal depicted with human objects that do not appear to be for the animal’s benefit; or the content features infant animals without their mothers. When users come across this content, we advise that they report any abusive or exploitative content directly to the platform (Born Free USA, 2022). Although the exploitation of wild animals remains a huge problem on a global scale, increasingly driving fragile species closer to extinction, the average consumer has the power to reverse this trend by decreasing the demand for practices that use animals as ‘commodities.’ Animals do not exist to be possessed; they are not meant to be used as a type of currency, a status symbol, or bargaining chip. When we remove creatures essential to the very functioning of an ecosystem, we not only harm the precious and finite beings whose value we simply cannot fully understand or measure, but also, ultimately, we harm ourselves by perpetuating wasteful behavior that will almost certainly lead to our own demise.” Complete Story: https://lnkd.in/gEPyZqhE #bcpsa #captiveconservation #TheConservationGameMovie #bornfreeusa

Blue monkeys, scientifically known as Cercopithecus mitis, are found in East Africa, including Uganda, and derive their name from the bluish hue of their fur. Despite being listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, they face significant threats such as wildlife trafficking, bushmeat hunting, and potential zoonotic diseases due to human encroachment on their habitat. These monkeys play a crucial role in ecological health, contributing to seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Unlike other monkeys, they are distinguished by their distinct coloration and long, slender bodies. Modern zoos serve as educational platforms, raising awareness about these threats and acting as insurance populations to ensure their survival. In captivity, blue monkeys receive optimal welfare, including a carefully designed diet, regular health checks, and environmental enrichment mimicking their natural habitat. Zoos and aquariums play a key role in protecting endangered species and preserving biodiversity. While it's ideal for animals to live freely in the wild, human activities threaten their existence. Without zoos and aquariums, many species would face extinction due to habitat destruction and hunting. These institutions act as insurance policies, ensuring the survival of threatened species while promoting conservation efforts. They prioritise animal welfare by providing suitable habitats and addressing their behavioral needs. In general, zoos and aquariums serve as important tools in Protecting wildlife and educating the public about the importance of environmentalism.

Wildlife markets like the one in Tomohon, Sulawesi, Indonesia have long existed. But in the Covid era, the sale of wild bat, rat, pig and dog meat rings pandemic alarm bells. Should these markets, though steeped in tradition, be restricted? Bushmeat markets in Indonesia have resisted pressure to close – even during the pandemic, which highlighted the risks of viruses transmitted by the trade in wild animals. In 2021, Wildlife Conservation Society and other conservation groups called on wildlife markets to be shut down. These markets also pose extinction risk. Anyone in the market caught selling endangered species can find themselves serving a 7- to 8-year jail sentence, but sources Eco-Business spoke to said that animals such as the rare Sulawesi Crested Macaque can still find themselves on dinner plates at the right price. “If you can pay for it, you can eat it,” one local restaurant owner told me during a visit to the market in December. In recent months, calls have grown for stricter sanctions to curb the trade in protected animals in Indonesia. But as is often the case in Indonesia, while regulations exist, the issue is enforcement. Another source of controversy at Pasar Ekstrim ("extreme market") in Tomohon is the sale of dog meat. Dogs were previously openly killed in public, using a hammer or wooden club, because customers prefer to choose the dog they eat while it is still alive. According to people we spoke to at the market, killing dogs out of sight introduces new dangers for the people who eat it, as many dogs are poisoned using potassium, which contaminates the meat. Beyond the obvious animal welfare horrors of transporting and slaughtering animals that are also kept as pets in Sulawesi (a number of people I spoke to for this story wouldn't dream of killing their pet dogs, but also eat dog meat), the dog meat trade is a potential reservoir of rabies. This story might be helpful for people who were thinking of going vegetarian or vegan this month. #wildlifetrade #pandemicrisk #dogmeat #veganuary

According to an animal protecting foundation, hundreds of animals are used for visitors' amusement in Bali and Lombok. More than 1300 animals were allegedly abused for tourist amusement in subpar circumstances in Bali and Lombok, according to World Animal Protection's Holidays that Harm report. Elephants, orangutans, and dolphins were among the animals that were abused for people's amusement. A recent investigation examined 34 locations in Bali and Lombok to provide an overview of the well-being of animals used in the tourism sector. According to World Animal Protection, most of the venues it examined "didn't even meet the basic needs of the wild animals being kept there." Read the full article below: https://lnkd.in/ggT7_fsu #socialexpat #expat #expats #expatlife #expatliving #expatlifestyle #bali #baliexpat #balinews #balitoday #baliupdate #baliviral #baliinfo #balinow #punapibali #denpasar #denpasarnow #sanurcommunity #ubudcommunity #canggucommunity #canggulife #balinese #baliviral #denpasarviral #animalabuse #animallovers #wildlife #animalabuseawareness #animalabuser