Animal Welfare Policy

March 2023 (updated June 2023)

Rovveasia Tours is committed to helping to build a responsible tourism community and improve the lives of animals in the travel industry. We believe that the most joyful travel experiences are those where visitors can observe wildlife displaying their natural behaviours, in an environment that is safe for the animals and our customers.

General principles

Rovveasia Tours will not promote or support the exploitation of wild animals or any activity that will cause unnecessary harm or distress to the animals. As an on-going commitment to improving the lives of animals in the tourism industry, we recognize the importance of helping our partners to improve their practices to ensure a longterm and sustainable change. Rovveasia Tours will not work with partners who
engage in activities that are not in compliance with these principles under our Policy.

Exploitation of animals includes:

• Circuses, shows and performances where wild animals are forced to perform behaviours that are not natural to them
• Trophy hunting and blood sports
• Situations where wild animals are sedated or baited to come closer to humans solely for entertainment or as a photo prop
• Experiences involving the consumption or sale of wild animal products.
• All Rovveasia Tours products involving animal experiences must comply with the 5 Domains of Animal Welfare, ensuring appropriate care regarding the animals’ nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state

The Five Domains of Animal Welfare

Nutrition: The animal has access to a species-appropriate healthy and fresh diet and clean water

Environment: The animal has access to a species-appropriate, natural space with comfortable housing or shelter and there is no discomfort due to temperature, noise, smell, or air quality

Health: The animal is kept in good health without disease or injury and has access to veterinary care when required.

Behaviour: The animal has access to varied and engaging environmental stimuli such as exploration, foraging, bonding, playing, socializing, and others, and is able to display natural behaviours.

Mental State: The animal benefits from safe and species-appropriate opportunities for pleasurable experiences while reducing negative states such as fear, frustration, hunger, pain, or boredom.

Types of products

Wild animals in the wild: Rovveasia Tours will work with certified operators who allow tourists to observe animals in their natural environment in non-invasive experiences without chasing or luring them or interrupting their natural behaviours, such as a certified safari or whale watching cruise

Wild animals in captivity: Rovveasia Tours will work with venues and sanctuaries committed to the protection, well-being and care of the animals such as those certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). Rovveasia Tours will not support experiences of wild animals in shows and performances in which the animals are forced to perform unnatural behaviours that force the animals to interact with tourists, or sell wild animal products. We will not work with venues whereanimals are purchased, traded, bred or held captive purely for the purposes of tourism.

Wild animals in zoos & aquariums: Rovveasia Tours will work with zoos and aquariums certified by organizations such as the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), with a commitment to “conservation, research, education and recreation”. Educational touch pools and feeding programmes under the supervision of qualified zoo staff may be permitted.

Elephant Experiences: Rovveasia Tours acknowledges the cultural, social, economic and religious heritage surrounding elephants in some countries. We believe that elephants should no longer be captured from the wild and that measures should be put in place to limit the dangers facing wild elephants (namely poaching, destruction and fragmentation of natural habitat, and conflicts with humans). Rovveasia Tours
will not work with any elephant venue that uses out dated and harmful methods of taming or training elephants. To minimize safety risks to customers and to better ensure the welfare of animals, Rovveasia Tours will not sell any elephant riding experiences.

Tips for Rovveasia Tours customers
Every traveller has a responsibility to travel sustainably and to protect our planet. The customer has a powerful part to play in choosing the types of experiences they want to support. We encourage our customers to notify us if they ever suspect an operator to be violating our animal welfare and sustainability guidelines. Contact us at contact@rovveasia.com