Being a responsible traveller

I saw an article today which really struck a cord with me, as I too have done harm while travelling. It wasn't intentional, and I certainly understand how it happens, but these days I make a conscious effort to be a more responsible traveller.

I am an animal lover, and have been since I was a child. I love all manner of furry, feathered and scaly critters (with the exception of the eight legged variety). I didn't travel much until my thirties - a time when I should have been old enough to know better - but my love of animals largely overrode my good sense and due diligence. I have held baby tigers, ridden elephants and watched live animal shows. I was so desperate to get up close and personal with these amazing, incredible animals, that I didn't think too carefully about what was going on behind the scenes. Like the author of the article, I treasure the moments I shared with those beautiful creatures, but I am now so much more aware than I used to be.

You live and learn, and now I really do my homework before I participate in any animal related activities both home and abroad. I know a lot of people don't agree with zoos, but I have done "Behind the Scenes" experiences in some of the world's best zoos, including Taronga Zoo, Symbio Zoo, Australia Zoo (you are still my hero Steve Irwin) and Auckland Zoo. I don't agree with everything that happens at zoos, but I now know the difference between a responsible animal experience, and pure exploitation - although I accept that everyone has a different threshold. There is a fine balance between making the public care enough to protect a species, and potentially exploiting an animal for profit.

So what does this have to do with Tahiti? There are very few animals which are native to Tahiti. There a loads of domestic animals, such as chickens, pigs, dogs and cats. I, and I am sure many other tourists, have provided feedback to Tourism Tahiti that the one thing which spoils the beauty of French Polynesia more than any other is the sorry sight of stray dogs everywhere. Tahiti may have a relatively small population but there are literally thousands of stray dogs, and it is enough to break any animal lover's heart. If you think Bali is bad, Tahiti is worse.

I actually hid on the bus with my hands over my ears at one "scenic" stop because a pack of male dogs were fighting over a female dog in heat and I just couldn't bear it. The local tour guide on the bus felt my pain as she houses a large number of stray dogs, as well as collecting money when she can to buy worming medication and food for stray dogs in the area. Needless to say, my budget for the day was handed over at warp speed. Tahiti may be paradise, and plenty of money floods in daily via wealthy tourists, but the locals are generally not wealthy and the cost of living is astronomical. Veterinary clinics and few and far between (and non existent on some islands) so sterilisation and medical care is the stuff of fantasy for many.

Rarotonga in the Cook Islands had a similar problem, but the amazing Esther Honey Foundation tried to address the issue by encouraging vets and other volunteers to visit the island and offer their services at little or no cost. Unfortunately, it appears from a recently article that the stray dog problem has returned since I was there five years ago. During my many trips, I have yet to travel to Tahiti without finding myself in a distressing situation with a dog fight, or a skinny, scared, hungry bitch being followed around by a hungry litter of pups. I do what I can while I am there, but it such a shame that the authorities have allowed it to get this bad. I appreciate controlling stray dogs is a problem for many countries the world over, but the islands in Tahiti are fairly small so it is surely not impossible to survey, sterilise and register dogs, island by island. There are certainly a small group of locals and visitors doing their best, but without proper government support and funding, the problem will remain.

Another thing that concerned me on my last visit to Rangiroa was the tourists lining up to have photos taken holding a baby black tip reef shark that the young tour guides had caught with their hands and pulled out of the water. I have no issue whatsoever with people jumping in the water and swimming amongst the sharks - they can swim away if they don't like it - but they belong in the water, and who knows what physical stress they are being placed under by being handed around outside the water. Most Tahitians I have met have a great respect for the local marine life, so I can only think they have started this practice because tourists have asked for it. JUST STOP DOING IT!

Tahiti - please be nice to your sharks and sort out your stray dog problem. I have never seen any locals be deliberately cruel to animals, but nor do they seem to notice the sad sight of skinny, injured and starving dogs. They are probably happy to have enough money to buy food and clothing for their children, but it would make such a difference if the locals embraced animal welfare and overseas vets could be encouraged to offer their services on a voluntary basis.

In relation to responsible travel, my message to fellow travellers is this - I am not going to preach to people about what is right and what is wrong. Act with your conscience. We are a "must have now" society, but sometimes it doesn't hurt to stop and think about how our actions might affect others.

My message to tourism boards is protect and promote your natural flora and fauna. I would prefer to see proboscis monkeys in the wild in Borneo, not in a zoo. I want to watch baby elephants roaming around with their mother and aunties, not doing tricks in a so-called "elephant sanctuary". I don't EVER want to watch dancing bears or dressed up monkeys riding bikes or smoking cigarettes so please stop supporting these attractions.

Personally, I will continue to travel, and enjoy animals experiences as responsibly as I can. And while I am at home? I will cuddle up on the couch with my gorgeous fur kids who, by the way, are entirely captive and loving every minute of it!