ethical travel company warns tourists about Calgary Stampede animal cruelty
Vancouver Humane Society aims to counter false western heritage message
The world’s leading ethical travel company is warning tourists about the inhumane treatment of animals at the Calgary Stampede. In an agreement with the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), U.K. based ResponisbleTravel.com will carry a web page describing animal welfare concerns at the Stampede and other rodeos. This is the first time a travel company has carried criticism of the Stampede. The web page can be viewed at this link.
The agreement is part of an effort by VHS to educate overseas visitors about the Stampede, said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker. “About 40 per cent of the Stampede’s patrons are tourists and we know that it is marketed internationally.” Fricker said VHS is planning to distribute information about animal abuse at the Stampede directly to tour operators and to international travel writers, as this is the time of year many people book their vacations.
Fricker said the Stampede’s marketing was selling tourists a distortion of Canadian history and a phony version of western heritage. “Real cowboys didn’t ride bulls. The chuckwagon race was invented in 1923. Steer wrestling was introduced in the 1930s. So where is the ‘old west’ heritage?” He said the pressure of timed events and big prize money removed any resemblance rodeo has with real ranching practices.
Fricker said ethical and responsible travel had grown out of the eco-tourism movement and was now incorporating animal welfare issues. “First it was endangered wildlife, then cruelty to dancing bears in places like Bulgaria. Now it’s rodeo,” he said. “Rodeo exploits animals’ reaction to pain, fear and stress. People aren’t going to put up with that in the 21st century.
VHS played a role in the Cloverdale Rodeo’s decision to drop four roping events in 2007 and in the City of Vancouver’s decision to ban rodeo in 2006.
