PETITION CLOSED
Petition Target: U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker
UPDATE (6/1/2022): We sent our petition, signed by more than 25,000 people, to the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia advocating for action to stop this cruel practice. Thank you to everyone who signed our petition. We will keep doing all we can to fight for animals everywhere! — Lady Freethinker Staff
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In a disturbing display of disregard for animal welfare, the marine wildlife of San Andres, Colombia are being mercilessly snatched from the sea for human entertainment. During cruel marine wildlife tours, guides and visitors recklessly snatch wild stingrays from the sea for selfies.
In August 2019, an LFT eyewitness saw one animal held partially above the water for several hours while the guide repeatedly shouted for tourists to take a photo “kissing” the helpless animal. This is not the exception, but the norm; tour companies brazenly advertise the opportunity of “kissing a stingray.”
On a small island off of Haynes Cay, known as Acuario, visitors are able to swim and snorkel while observing Caribbean marine wildlife in their natural habitat. However, some of these marine animals are at dire risk of injury.
Being handled by humans is extremely dangerous for wildlife, causing distress and suffering that can even lead to their death.
LFT’s witness saw another guide violently grab a shark from the sea with just one hand. The approximately three-foot long shark thrashed their body around, struggling desperately to break free, but to no avail. The animal was offered to a family to pet and use as a photo prop; however, they ultimately refused while looking extremely uncomfortable.
One tourist said of the situation, “It’s fun enough to just snorkel and see the animals in the wild — it completely ruins the fun once you see them being manhandled. Come on people, we can do better.”
Tourism police were on the island only a few feet away from the guides, but did not intervene.
We must act now to protect extremely vulnerable marine wildlife.
Please sign this petition urging U.S. Ambassador Kevin Whitaker to stop tourist selfies with all wild animals and protect the marine life of Colombia.
