Bulgaria

Zoos

Bulgaria has a series of zoos aimed at tourists, but in recent years, a review of the standards of these facilities has raised concerns regarding animal living conditions and wellbeing. A recent article about Blagoevgrad Zoo mentioned a lack of funds, poorly paid zookeepers, and animals living in terrible conditions. The zoo, located around 100 kilometers south of Sofia, had monkeys living in tiny cages, with no environmental enrichment whatsoever and who were “delighted” to entertain tourists in exchange for a bit of food. Bears were also found to be “living” in a hole in the ground, desperately begging for food in a trash-filled space.

Unfortunately, this is the case for many of Bulgaria’s zoos, although animal protection organizations such as the Born Free Foundation are currently working with the government and the European Commission to find a constructive solution to this serious issue.

http://turismo-responsable.com/s29

Ecotourism

In early 2012, Bulgaria strengthened its commitment to ecotourism, having seen its great potential. It has also supported the European Union and its Natura 2000 program, which aims to ensure the long-term survival of the most valuable and endangered species and habitats in Europe. Bulgaria has more than 320 Special Areas of Conservation, many of which are related to birds. With more than 400 species of birds, 27,000 species of invertebrates and more than 12,000 different types of plants, Bulgaria is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe.

Horse carriage rides

Romantic and nostalgic horse carriage rides are not so enjoyable for the animals, which are forced to work long hours, dragging heavy loads and often enduring extreme weather conditions.

Numerous animals spend all day exploited beyond their limits, while taking tourists through complicated terrain at bargain prices, often in the sun, with little shade, water and rest. These animals suffer from sunstroke, wounds, beatings and injuries as a result of these “tourist experiences” and the economic benefit that their owners can gain from these activities is always above their animals’ welfare.

Horse carriages can have accidents with other vehicles, especially in cities with heavy traffic. The animals are usually trotting, which is too high a speed, as if it stops suddenly the carriage could crash into the animal. Moreover, the little rest that the animals get is usually in blocks located in the center of the city and, often, in unsuitable conditions.

For more information: http://turismo-responsable.com/s24

Dolphinariums

In this country you can also find centers which keep cetaceans (dolphins, killer whales and beluga whales) in captivity. Science has shown that these intelligent animals suffer greatly in the limiting conditions of dolphinariums and their stress levels and mortality rates are very high.

The training of these animals for circus shows where they perform totally unnatural behaviors, and which can harm them physically, is achieved through keeping the animals in a permanent state of hunger so that they act in exchange for a piece of dead fish.

Condemned by their facial structure, which resembles a human smile, these highly social animals, which would swim long distances and dive into great depths in the wild, are used to perform stunts in small concrete tanks. Many of the animals are taken from the wild. 

For more information: http://sosdelfines.org