Animals are sentient beings. They are emotional and intelligent. They have roamed this planet long before we have. We are visitors in their homes. Animals and their habitats need to be respected.
Respect is the foundation of true connection. If we truly respect something, we open ourselves up to deeper understanding and empathy. If we care about something, we are emboldened to protect it.Respect The Wild = Protect The Wild
We use the following guidelines while spending time in nature:
- Never bait or entice wildlife.
Manipulating the behavior of a wild animal can cause stress and harm to the animal. It can cause the animal to flee from hunting or foraging opportunities, be separated from their young or mating partner, or inflict harm on you, the manipulator.
No photograph is worth risking the safety and well-being of wildlife or yourself!
Manipulating the behavior of a wild animal can cause stress and harm to the animal. It can cause the animal to flee from hunting or foraging opportunities, be separated from their young or mating partner, or inflict harm on you, the manipulator.
No photograph is worth risking the safety and well-being of wildlife or yourself!
- Do not feed wildlife.
"A fed bear is a dead bear."
This is a saying for a reason. Feeding wildlife creates a dependency on food that is not in an animals natural diet. It also creates a dependency on a readily available food source which prevents the animal from needing to forage or hunt for their food. It will encourage the animal to look at humans as a source of food. It prevents the wild animal from being wild. Without innate behaviors such as hunting, the animal is more likely to die of malnutrition.
"A fed bear is a dead bear."
This is a saying for a reason. Feeding wildlife creates a dependency on food that is not in an animals natural diet. It also creates a dependency on a readily available food source which prevents the animal from needing to forage or hunt for their food. It will encourage the animal to look at humans as a source of food. It prevents the wild animal from being wild. Without innate behaviors such as hunting, the animal is more likely to die of malnutrition.
- Be honest and transparent about your images.
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
What is the message you want to portray? What is the perception of the image?
If you share a close-up portrait of a bobcat and there is no indication that the photo was taken at a zoo, what is the assumption of the viewer of the image?
'It must be easy to get close to a wild bobcat!'
What damage can be done as a result of assumptions? People may be encouraged to seek close encounters with wild animals in the name of photography which puts you and the wild animal in danger. By disclosing that the beautiful bobcat image was taken at a zoo, it lets the viewer know that the photo is of a captive animal rather than a dangerous close encounter with a wild cat.
(The same goes for sharing AI images. What is the perception?)
"A picture is worth a thousand words."
What is the message you want to portray? What is the perception of the image?
If you share a close-up portrait of a bobcat and there is no indication that the photo was taken at a zoo, what is the assumption of the viewer of the image?
'It must be easy to get close to a wild bobcat!'
What damage can be done as a result of assumptions? People may be encouraged to seek close encounters with wild animals in the name of photography which puts you and the wild animal in danger. By disclosing that the beautiful bobcat image was taken at a zoo, it lets the viewer know that the photo is of a captive animal rather than a dangerous close encounter with a wild cat.
(The same goes for sharing AI images. What is the perception?)
- Consider the implications of sharing locations when in nature.
Sometimes NOT disclosing the location is best to protect the vulnerable wildlife and wild land from over tourism and increased human/wildlife encounters. Geo-tagging photos can lead undesirable visitors to vulnerable species.
Don't lead the poachers to the rhinos!
Sometimes NOT disclosing the location is best to protect the vulnerable wildlife and wild land from over tourism and increased human/wildlife encounters. Geo-tagging photos can lead undesirable visitors to vulnerable species.
Don't lead the poachers to the rhinos!
- Use long lenses and quiet mode settings.
Long lenses let your camera's sensor get close to your subject so you can keep a safe distance. Quiet-mode settings prevent you from startling the animal.
Long lenses let your camera's sensor get close to your subject so you can keep a safe distance. Quiet-mode settings prevent you from startling the animal.
- Support businesses which support ethical treatment of wildlife.
Research companies you plan to travel with or do business with. Are their ethics aligned with yours? Is your money going to support illegal or unethical practices?
This also includes photography contests. Read the fine print! What are you agreeing to by submitting your images? What will your images be used for?
You can learn a lot from a quick Google search!
Remember:
Ethical wildlife photography means documenting the action without being a part of it.