Instagram has created a pop-up screen with a warning for those who search for hashtags associated with wild animal selfies: “Animal abuse and the sale of endangered animals or their parts are not allowed on Instagram.”
If users want to learn more, they can follow a link to the World Animal Protection (WAP) “Wildlife Selfie Code” site, which provides information on why wild animal selfies are not okay.
“With its community of over 800 million users, Instagram has the platform to change the conversation around the use of animals as photo props,” said Cassandra Koenen, head of wildlife campaigns at WAP. “We are encouraged by this first step towards changing the acceptability of using animals for our entertainment.”
In tourist hotspots near rainforests and other wilderness areas, animals are ripped from their homes, kept in deplorable conditions and forced to act as props or dolls for tourists. They must endure stressful “cuddling” with strangers, inappropriate handling, and photographs for hours on end. They develop health conditions from the trauma and the unnatural living environment, and die prematurely.
Posing with a wild animal for a selfie seems like an innocuous activity. But it isn’t. For example, sloths — who sleep up to 20 hours a day in the wild — suffer immensely during long days of being passed around to tourists for “hugs.“ It’s tough to recognize because of sloths’ resting smile face. But according to Monique Pool, a sloth specialist with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, sloths’ hearts beat abnormally fast when they are handled by strangers. After they are forced into the animal selfie world, captive sloths are especially prone to early death.
People who travel to areas where it is possible to pose with wild animals often care deeply about wildlife. They want to be able to show their friends, families, and social networks how much they care. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly difficult to capture a picture with a toucan, sloth, or pink river dolphin in its natural habitat. So poachers, loggers, or opportunistic local residents find and capture these cute creatures and keep them trapped for tourists.
When tourists take selfies and share them on social media, their friends become similarly attracted to the prospect of capturing an adorable photo with a smiling sloth or colorful parrot. The cycle of suffering for these animals is vicious and distinctly unfortunate.
The pain and suffering that wild animals endure for human selfies is needless, and often deadly. But Instagram’s new action could go a long way in stopping the cruelty. Their announcement follows a months-long investigation by WAP that found tens of thousands of wild animal selfies on Instagram. And as others note, popular social platforms are not only used to share wild animal selfies—they also are being utilized to sell endangered animals.
Lorises and pangolins are among others which can be added to the list.
Thank you Instagram for taking a step in the right direction towards not being part of the massive animal cruelty that takes place. This is good news, and I hope more changes arise in defense for animals.
WILD ANIMALS ARE TO NEVER BE PHOTOGRAPHED UNLESS THEY ARE IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT “the wild”.
Yes-thank-YOU for doing this! People need to realize that is it extremely stressful, upsetting and unnerving for wild animals to be used as props. Many of these babies are taken from their mothers before they are weaned-which is traumatic in and of its self. Imagine taking a human baby from it’s mother to use as a prop, keep in a cage-never to be reunioned again! SHAMEFUL!!!! We should ALL know better! Leave the ANIMALS ALONE!!!! LET THEM LIVE AS GOD INTENDED-FREE from human harassment!
You are truly right. Thank you for posting your comnent.
This should have been created when Instagram was introduced. The self-absorbed idiots that cannot live without Instagram are far too stupid to take the warning seriously. They will simply use Twitter or other social media because they can’t stand not sending pictures of themselves with animals without caring about their welfare.
About time someone tried to stop this!
No animal should be used & abused.
Tourists should use their grey matter, knowing these animals are taken from the wild & made to do unnatural tricks & humans cuddling for stupid photo shoots. It’s time it all stopped. We are keepers of this planet, NOT owners!!!! When it all goes tits up it’ll be too late to save anything!!
Good onya Instagram. People need to be made aware of how the animals are suffering for their selfies and stop doing it immediately. They should be prosecuted and foced to live the way these poor fur babies have to live.
Well done Instagram.
Mature, considerate and expansive thinking and action.
Thank you, Instagram! Animals need to be protected from us in so many ways.
The idiots that do selfies without any consideration for the animals they are using for their pathetic self indulgent habits should be prosecuted. Its time to grow up and show respect for other forms of life… bloody fools
This is wonderful to be happening. I am very happy.
I agree with you, and this is a step in.the right direction.
Fantastic to see some advanced thinking. Bravo Instagram. Thank you for making a huge first step towards much needed education on this subject and taking a stand against the current widespread animal misuse, abuse and cruelty.