Tourist Activities to Avoid in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is renowned for its exceptional wildlife… and the staging of animals! Were you planning an elephant ride? Observing whales or turtles?
Sri Lanka is renowned for its exceptional wildlife… and the staging of animals! Were you planning an elephant ride? Observing whales or turtles? Discover why these tourist activities are inadvisable under certain conditions – and how to practice responsible tourism, respecting animal welfare and the environment…
1. Don't Take an Elephant Ride
In Sri Lanka, elephants are sacred animals present at many celebrations. Adorned with clothing and jewelry, it's not uncommon to see them parade, as during the Perahera festival – a Buddhist procession that takes place each summer in Kandy. But these majestic mammals are also the subject of a widespread attraction: elephant rides…
Why should this activity be avoided?
Exotic, unusual, fun – whatever the reason for taking an elephant ride, know that this contributes to animal slavery! Indeed, even though elephants are renowned for their sociability, they remain wild animals nonetheless. They are not meant to carry people all day long.
To obtain their cooperation, mahouts (trainers) don't hesitate to separate them from their mothers at a young age (to domesticate them as early as possible), beat them, and direct them under the threat of weapons – like this training device resembling an ice pick, which causes wounds…
While tourists don't directly participate in their mistreatment, they contribute to their dire living conditions: in addition to enriching their abusers, they force the animals to carry hundreds of kilos per day, far beyond what they can bear.
So, where can you see elephants in Sri Lanka?
In their natural habitat! Sri Lanka boasts splendid national parks where it is possible to admire these magnificent wild animals. Among them? The Minneriya National Park, where elephants gather during the dry season, and Udawalawe National Park where over 5,000 specimens live!
2. Don't Watch Whales Without Caring for Their Welfare
Between November and April, whales migrate to the Bay of Bengal to breed. During this period, many cetaceans can be observed off the coast of Sri Lanka. This activity, initiated in the early 2000s by local fishermen, is today a real tourist phenomenon…
What are the impacts of whale watching on the environment?
While observing whales is not forbidden, whale watching must be practiced with respect. Indeed, approaching them by boat is not inconsequential. According to the rules of many commissions: a distance of around a hundred meters must be maintained between the boat and the cetaceans. This is to avoid disturbing marine mammals, but also for their safety – and that of passengers.
So, how do you observe whales respectfully?
There is no real regulation for whale watching in Sri Lanka, so you can only rely on your ethics… For that, choose a company concerned about the environment: rarer and more expensive, they guarantee a "responsible excursion." Our advice? To be sure of their commitment, do thorough research before you leave.
3. Don't Touch Turtles or Their Eggs
Sri Lanka is also renowned for its turtles and nesting beaches. These easily accessible locations – such as the splendid Tangalle beaches – offer the opportunity to approach them without difficulty…
Why shouldn't you touch them?
Because of their proximity and harmless behavior, turtles provoke feelings of affection: you want to feed them, touch them… But, as gentle as they are, they are wild animals that don't need humans to feed themselves. So, even if people offer you packets of green algae to feed them: refuse! Also know that when we touch them, baby turtles lose all their olfactory bearings.
During nesting periods, many eggs line the beaches of Sri Lanka. Obviously, it is forbidden to touch them or take one! Do you wish to photograph the animals and their eggs? This is possible, but provided you respect a certain distance and do not use flash.
So, how do you observe turtles without harming them?
To observe sea turtles, nothing beats immersing yourself in their natural element by snorkeling! Diving in Sri Lanka is also an opportunity to discover the island's coral reefs.
Another way to admire turtles is to meet them at night. Local associations manage this type of visit and limit the number of participants for the turtles' welfare. For your safety, don't do night outings without accompaniment or opt for a wildlife observation tour, organized by a local agency!
Frequently asked questions
No, elephant rides are not considered ethical, regardless of how they're organized. Domesticated elephants undergo painful training from a young age. The best alternative is to observe them in their natural habitat, in national parks like Minneriya or Udawalawe.
Whales can be observed off the coast of Sri Lanka mainly between November and April, the period during which they migrate to the Bay of Bengal to breed. Favor a company committed to responsible whale watching, respecting a distance of around a hundred meters from the cetaceans.
Yes, it is forbidden to touch sea turtles and their eggs in Sri Lanka. These wild animals don't need human contact and baby turtles can lose their olfactory bearings when we touch them. To observe them, opt for snorkeling or join a night outing supervised by a local association.
For responsible tourism in Sri Lanka, avoid elephant rides, don't touch turtles or their eggs, and choose whale watching operators concerned about the environment. Prefer national parks to observe wildlife in its natural habitat and inquire with local associations before you leave.
Minneriya National Park is ideal for observing elephant gatherings during the dry season. Udawalawe National Park is also renowned for its large elephant population. These parks offer a respectful safari experience, with no forced interaction with animals.
