1989年10月，我到泰國觀光，行程裡有看大象表演，當時年輕無知，覺得十分有趣，甚至下場當表演道具（躺在地上讓大象越過），以為是與大象同樂，回到台灣還津津樂道。
2006年2月到斯里蘭卡賞鳥看世界遺產，因為已經待過保育團體且參與生態保育及生態旅遊事務的推動，同時也關注動物福利的事情，所以看到遊客騎乘大象就沒有激起我想體驗的興趣，那時候只覺得不應該拿動物當娛樂工具，但還不是很清楚背後殘酷的事實。
後來愈來愈多的資料曝光，原來動物表演（例如海洋世界的虎鯨、馬戲團的老虎、大象、黑熊）及娛樂（如大象載人、畫畫）是一連串的虐待過程，從野外捕捉死傷慘重，到從小挨餓鞭打訓練，種種酷刑加上威逼利誘，才讓動物學會並勉強表現取悅人類的各種行為。而無知的遊客，卻趨之若騖的不斷消費著動物悲慘的命運，好像永無止境。
江蘇蘇州一個馬戲團，被揭發虐待小黑熊，訓練員不但勒著熊頸，綁在牆上，強迫用兩隻腳站立好幾小時，有些熊哭泣抓籠想逃離。
幸好現在有旅遊業者會關心動物福利，並訂有動物福利政策，例如公司總部在加拿大多倫多市的國際旅遊業者「G冒險旅遊公司」（G Adventures），就有大象福利政策與動物福利政策，不想為了賺錢或取悅遊客而犧牲動物福利，這樣的公司應該要讓更多人知道並給予支持，而且也希望有愈來愈多這樣的旅遊業者不與動物表演或娛樂的業者掛勾，藉著市場力量，讓長期以來不正常、不人道的動物表演娛樂事業關門。
以下是我與好友黃苙詒小姐合作翻譯G冒險旅遊公司的大象福利政策與動物福利政策，請參閱。
G冒險旅遊公司的大象福利政策 G Adventures Elephant Welfare Policy
翻譯：黃苙詒、賴鵬智
我們體認動物福利對於旅遊產業的重要性，並相信這是我們實踐負責任旅遊最基本的承諾。
G Adventures recognizes the importance of animal welfare to the tourism industry and believes it is an essential part of our commitment to responsible tourism.
本公司的旅遊產品中絕不推銷騎乘大象活動，這是為了保障大象們的健康與安全，同時減少對這類活動的需求。此外，不論是在套裝行程或者額外付費，我們也絕不參觀大象的表演。
We do not promote elephant trekking or elephant riding on any G Adventures trips in order to ensure the health and safety of these animals and reduce the demand for these practices. Furthermore, we do not promote trips that include, as part of the itinerary or optional extras, a visit to any establishment to see trained elephants perform for the public.
環顧世界，各地對大象福利的態度有很大的差異，因而G冒險公司採用由英國旅行社公會（ABTA）與天生自由基金會（Born Free Foundation）—一個保護易危動物免於被濫捕的第三方團體—合作設立的準則。
Around the world, there is a great deal of variation in attitudes towards elephant welfare, which is why G Adventures has adopted guidelines developed by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) in conjunction with the Born Free Foundation, a third-party organization whose mission is to protect vulnerable animals from abuse.
以下是關於大象在觀光產業所發生的事情: Some facts about elephants in tourism
有16,000隻大象，相當於全球總數的四分一，是被囚禁的。
16,000 elephants are in captivity worldwide – a quarter of the total number on the planet
被囚禁供旅遊娛樂用途的成年大象中，有75%是直接從野外捕來的。
75% of captive adult elephants used for tourism entertainment have been taken directly from the wild
專家估計，為了保護1頭小象，會有五頭成象死於對抗捕捉的過程。
Experts estimate five adult elephants can be killed while defending a calf during wild capture
在緬甸、泰國、印度和尼泊爾，非法的大象貿易都與政府貪污有關。
The trade of illegal elephants have fuelled corruption in Burma, Thailand, India, and Nepal
我們認為透過旅遊業的操作，可以讓遊客和動物有積極正向的互動；然而，如果這種互動不被嚴謹管理或不是最好的操作方式，就有可能危及動物福利、當地社區的福祉或遊客的體驗。
We believe that tourism can be a means for positive interactions between tourists and animals; however, where such interactions are not carefully managed or do not exhibit best practices there is potential to jeopardize animal welfare, the well-being of the local community, or the travellers’ experience.
該公司另有動物福利政策，摘要翻譯如下：
G冒險旅遊公司相信，健全的動物福利政策是負責任旅遊最基本的承諾，並且可以讓這世界更美好。
G Adventures believes that a robust animal welfare policy is an essential part of a commitment to responsible tourism and to making the world a better place.
G冒險旅遊公司反對且不鼓勵非法並傷害動物保護與福利的作為，我們也禁止在野外與野生動物直接接觸，尤其是觸摸或是餵食，或是為了攝影的以上行為。我們對不自然或會危及動物的行為絕不寬容，例如騎大象或鴕鳥、非法動物園、弄蛇或收容中心商業餵食等。
G Adventures opposes and discourages practices that are illegal and those that have a negative impact on animal protection and welfare. We also prohibit activities where travellers come into direct contact with animals meant for the wild, particularly where animals are touched or fed by visitors or are used as props for photo opportunities. We do not condone tourist activities that are unnatural to wildlife or endanger animals such as elephant or ostrich riding, unlicensed zoos, snake charming or any sanctuary that practices breeding for commercial trade.
配合英國旅行社公會，我們的願景是所有G冒險旅遊公司遊程中碰到的動物都是受到尊重，被人道對待的，並且符合以英國旅行社公會揭櫫的五項動物自由權利為本所規範透明又健全的動物福利標準。
Along with the ABTA, our vision is that all animals encountered while on a G Adventures tour are treated humanely, with respect and in accordance with transparent and robust animal welfare standards that adhere to ABTA’s Five Freedoms:
這五項動物自由權利是：
1.免於飢餓與口渴的自由
2.免於不安的自由
3.免於疼痛、傷害與疾病的自由
4.有表現正常行為的自由
5.免於恐懼與憂傷的自由
The Five Freedoms are:
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour
5. Freedom from fear and distress
旅行時保護動物權益的注意事項
這些是我們對業務夥伴或供應商的最低要求。我們期待所有的權益關係者共同做好動物福利的事情，這將會有廣泛且遠大的正向改變。如果沒有遵守這些規範，將會降低彼此關係，並視違反情節與狀況，最重有可能終止合作。
These are the minimum requirements, which we expect of our partners or suppliers whose business involves or impacts animals. We recognize that by working together with all stakeholders we have the greatest potential to achieve wide-reaching and long lasting positive change; however, failure to adhere to this code of conduct may be grounds for terminating our relationship, depending on the seriousness of the violation and the particular circumstances.
延伸閱讀：
