text: When riding donkeys or camels during our trips, helmets are generally not available to travellers. We therefore need to ensure that only slow moving and even-tempered animals are provided by the operator.
  Animals should not carry more than half their body weight, and less in hot conditions or on steep declines. If extreme temperatures are experienced, animals should not be ridden.
  As a general guide, look out for the following before riding or walking with domestic/working animals:
  Their coats should be in good condition and without sores (check near the mouth, shoulders, spine and belly, as these areas are typically in constant contact with harnessing equipment). Wounds may also be hidden under a saddle or harness. It is NEVER acceptable to use wild animals for riding.
  Handlers should not use physical force (including hitting or beating with crops, sticks or hands) to control or manoeuvre the animal.
  Check your donkey or horse for ‘firing’, where the animal’s legs are burnt with red-hot metal. Practitioners believe this ‘traditional healing’ method will make the animal ‘strong’.
  Consider your own weight when riding – aim to choose an animal appropriate to your own size and weight.
  Currently, thousands of lions and other predators are being bred in terrible conditions across Africa for use in cub petting, lion walking and other interactive wildlife activities. We don't go to any of these venues on our trips, and we ask all of our travellers to refrain from visiting places that exploit animals or use them for any forms of entertainment. While they may appear fun and educational (some even claim to be working in the name of conservation), they are unnatural and stressful for the animals involved.
  Most travellers have no idea that this is going on. The 2015 documentary 'Blood Lions’ brought the horrors of predator breeding to the world’s attention. Intrepid have joined forces with the team at Blood Lions by signing their 'Born to Live Wild' pledge. The pledge is a promise to never knowingly work with operators offering lion walks, cub petting or other interactive wildlife activities that contribute to the cycle of breeding and exploitation of lions in Africa. It’s also a promise to raise awareness of these industries among our travellers and the broader community. You can read the full pledge here.
  At Intrepid, we’re all for zero contact, zero interaction experiences with wildlife. Wild animals should be viewed in the wild, right? Observe nature as it occurs naturally, not by how it responds to your presence. Don’t call out to animals, whistle or try to get their attention – noise disturbs them and stresses them out – just let them do their thing. Drivers and guides must never use their vehicles to get an animal to move, or drive off-road to get closer to the action.
  In some parts of the world, you may meet local people who have taken animals from the wild so tourists can pay to have their photos taken with them. We advise our groups NOT to participate in this activity – it’s not known how these animals are treated. Are they drugged? Are they fed properly? Are they kept in inadequate conditions? Bottom line, unless it’s a purring cat or a waggy-tailed dog, walk away – the profile pic isn’t worth it.