Ethical Wildlife Tourism at Lilayi Elephant Nursery

It brings us so much joy that Isla and Cole share our deep fascination with the natural world. They are drawn to wildlife, and we love providing them with opportunities to learn all about other living creatures, great and small. When we travel abroad, we encounter a plethora of unique and breathtaking animals, and we want to ensure that in participating in these experiences we are teaching Isla and Cole to be mindful about wildlife and wildlife tourism. It is never too early to start teaching your children about ethical wildlife tourism and their ability to make positive change in our world.

We do our research before visiting animal sanctuaries and facilities to do our best to ensure we are supporting ethical organizations that truly have the animals’ best interests in mind. We strongly encourage all other travelers to please do the same. National Geographic just published a heartbreaking but necessary article about The Dark Truth Behind Wildlife Tourism, and while it is painful to read, it is so important to be informed!
We were so impressed by the work done at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery. This organization, part of the Elephant Orphanage Project, rescues and cares for orphaned calves. The staff provide round the clock care for these sweet babies until they are weaned off of milk. At that time they are transferred to a release facility at Kafue National Park. There, human interaction is gradually reduced in order to help the elephants learn to care for themselves in preparation for release into the park. The goal is for the elephants to live their lives in safety and freedom.
When visiting the nursery you are able to view the baby elephants during one of their daily feedings. A staff member (in our case, the very knowledgeable veterinarian) shares more about the elephants, the project, and the ways in which the organization also supports and educates different communities that live among elephants (a hugely critical aspect of their work).

It can be surprisingly challenging to find truly ethical wildlife organizations to visit and support, and we will readily admit we are continually learning as well! When doing our research for places to visit and support, we look for the following:

• Animals do NOT participate in shows or performances of any kind
• The organization has a clear mission statement that is centered around the animals’ well-being and conservation
• The end goal for the animal is either rehabilitation and release into the wild or into as similar of a scenario, if possible
• The organization is focused on providing visitors with education

Fellow travelers, if you have any additional suggestions or reputable wildlife organizations to visit or how you go about researching, please share!