Is it ethical to do nature/wildlife excursions?
Salam, hope you’re all well!
I’m planning on doing a swimming with orcas excursion at some point, and I’ve been quite particular about the company I would go with because I’d only want to do it with a group that genuinely prioritises the animals’ welfare i.e. doesn’t chase, feed, touch, corner or otherwise disturb them, and allows any interaction to happen on the animals’ terms.
While researching it, though, I’ve come across quite a few people who argue that swimming with orcas is inherently unethical, regardless of how responsible the operator is. I’ve also seen the broader argument that wildlife tourism itself can be unethical because we’re essentially entering animals’ habitats for our own enjoyment , with things like safaris, whale watching, diving excursions etc. sometimes being described as humans “trespassing” on nature.
I completely understand the criticism when tourism disrupts animals, changes their natural behaviour, damages habitats or prioritises getting tourists a good experience over the welfare of the wildlife. The rise in wildlife tourism has obviously created plenty of examples of that.
But I’m wondering whether the activity itself is necessarily wrong if it’s done responsibly. If you choose a reputable operator that maintains appropriate distances, limits numbers, follows conservation guidance and doesn’t manipulate or interfere with the animals, is simply entering their environment and observing them still ethically problematic?
I’m particularly interested in this from an Islamic perspective. Islam repeatedly encourages us to travel through the earth, observe the natural world and reflect upon Allah’s creation. At the same time, we’re entrusted with the earth and surely have a responsibility not to cause unnecessary harm to animals or the environment.
So where is the line between experiencing and appreciating Allah’s creation and intruding upon or exploiting it for our own enjoyment?
Would something like an ethical wildlife excursion be a beautiful way of witnessing and appreciating creation, or should some parts of nature simply be left undisturbed regardless of how careful we try to be?
I’d especially appreciate any answers from a Shia perspective, or references to Qur’an, hadith or scholarly opinions on our responsibilities towards wildlife and the natural world.