Wild Animals Are Not Commodities to be Posed With

The image of a rescued pangolin, painstakingly rehabilitating in a Vietnamese wildlifesanctuary, still lingers vividly in my mind. That moment, witnessing the dedication and the sheer fragility of life, solidified my commitment to telling stories that matter.

Wild Animals Are Not Commodities to be Posed With

Wild Animals are not commodities. They are living, breathing creatures with strong wills and instincts to be free. Yet, we've all seen the photos: people posing next to sloths, otters, primates, and other Animals, beaming at the lens. These images stream through our feeds, especially during vacation seasons. Each year, it can feel like a more humane world for these captive, stressed Animals—thwarted in every direction when they try to express their natural behaviors—is still beyond reach.

The best way to love a wild animal is to let that animal be free. But too often, our society turns Animals into spectacles, and as wildlife selfies gain likes and comments on social media, it can obscure the wrong that's right in front of our eyes. When people smile for the camera while posing next to a captive wild animal, they become part of the problem. They perpetuate the idea that this is a reasonable and normal way to relate to Animals and the natural world.

But the truth is: what may seem like a harmless encounter causes the animals involved chronic stress and fear and endangers people's safety. That's why it's so important to remind friends and family to avoid attractions that offer close encounters and photo-ops. It's a small step that can make a big difference for animals. Because as soon as there's no longer demand for these exhibits, there will be no reason to keep these animals languishing, tethered, restrained and confined for entertainment.

Progress is possible. For years, we have been working to raise awareness about the harms and dangers of keeping wild animals captive for human whimsy. We are fighting for a world in which wild animals are valued and respected not because of photo ops but because of who they are and the complex ecosystems in which they play a part.

A wildlife selfie is not a pretty picture. When the Big Cat Public Safety Act was signed into law, big cat cub-petting became illegal in the United States. This was a significant win, and we fought for it for years. But many wild animals are still being treated like objects at captive display facilities, and a number of species are increasingly being exploited for these encounters.

In the U.S. alone, more than 300 wild animal petting zoos, roadside zoos and other facilities offer up-close experiences with sloths, primates, otters, capybaras, kangaroos or wallabies—animals whose popularity in zoos and other facilities has grown significantly in the last decade. According to our analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection reports, over the last decade—between 2015 to 2025—the number of sloths and capybaras held in zoos and other exhibition facilities each roughly doubled, and the number of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos) and otters has also steadily risen.

These animals are either captured from the wild or bred in captivity, often taken from their parents at a young age, often in deplorable conditions that deprive them of parental nurture and socialization. The stress of captivity can lead to health problems, and the unnatural environments can stifle their natural behaviors and instincts. It's a recipe for animal suffering, and it's a problem we must address.

So, the next time you're tempted to pose with a wild animal for a photo, remember: you're not just snapping a picture, you're supporting an industry that profits from animal exploitation. Instead, let's choose to appreciate and respect wild animals in their natural habitats, where they belong. Together, we can create a world where compassion and empathy for wildlife prevail.