Don TweedHeading to Costa Rica soon? Think twice before you pose for a selfie with that adorable sloth you see loafing on a tree limb. A campaign called #stopanimalselfies has been launched by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. It is a direct response to the increasingly popular tourist habit of snapping selfies with the country’s treasured indigenous animals, a practice the agency says is more harmful to the wildlife than we might think.
For example, the animals are unaccustomed to being around humans, and so are likely petrified when somebody walks up to them and picks them up for a photo. Additionally, physical contact between humans and wildlife can increase the risk of contracting diseases—for both parties.
“Our visitors must know the negative impact caused by selfies and photos showing direct contact with wild animals,” Pamela Castillo, Vice Minister of Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy, told CNN. “Our goal and responsibility as global leaders in environmental issues is to educate and encourage new world ambassadors committed to wildlife protection.”
As part of the campaign, the two aforementioned organizations are urging travelers to take pictures holding stuffed animals and to include the hashtag #stopanimalselfies and the caption: “I do not mistreat wild animals for a selfie.”
Visitors to Costa Rica who want to see sloths and other animals are advised to hire an expert guide or take a guided tour. For instance, the Sloth Sanctuary encourages visits from tourists who want to see and learn about the animals. Picking up the sloths is not permitted, however.
CNN reports that approximately 1.7 million tourists visit the Central American country each year. Most of these people come from the United States and Canada; they are who the #stopanimalselfies campaign is directed at.
So next time you’re in Costa Rica and you see a sloth, by all means look, but refrain from touching.