Animal encounter experiences at theme parks, tourist attractions, and wildlife parks raise welfare concerns about the conditions of captive animals and the impact of close human contact.
Wildlife tourism experiences span a wide welfare spectrum, from genuinely conservation-supporting legitimate sanctuaries to facilities that exploit animals for profit with no regard for welfare. The distinguishing markers of welfare-positive wildlife experiences are: animals that can choose to approach or avoid visitors, no physical contact or confinement required for the experience, natural behaviour opportunities during visitor interactions, and transparency about care, veterinary oversight, and the individual animals' histories. Close contact experiences that require sedation, confinement, or training through aversive methods are fundamentally incompatible with animal welfare regardless of the marketing claims. Consumer due diligence before booking any wildlife encounter is a genuine welfare intervention.