Denmark

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is a popular tourist activity in Denmark and yet, because of the increase in agriculture and the exploitation of grasslands, since 1970 some bird populations have been reduced by half. The growing use of pesticides in agriculture eradicates the plants and insects on which birds depend. The lark, the third most common species of birds in Denmark, has managed to partially adapt to farmland, but this species is now in decline throughout most of Europe. Also threatened are the birds such as the white stork and the black grouse, which live in meadows and heaths, where food is now difficult to find. Some conservation activities are now being launched to encourage breeding of the main species thanks to EU grants.

More information: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s64

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 sunstrokes, 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 inappropriate conditions.

More information: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s24

Zoophilic tourism

Animal sex tourism has suffered a notable increase in Denmark as a result of the prohibition of this practice in many other countries such as Germany, Sweden or Norway. Denmark is currently one of the most popular destinations for this activity and it is possible to find legal animal brothels or people who sell sex with their pets or farm animals.

However, after several requests from several government representatives and the vast majority of the Danish population, the adoption of a law prohibiting sexual relations with animals in the country is planned in 2015.

Dolphinariums

In this country you can also find centers which keep cetaceans (dolphins, killer whales or 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/

Animal protection entities in Denmark