The Netherlands
Protected areas
The Netherlands has implemented several good practices for the protection of local fauna. For example, Hoge Veluwe, which is the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands, has three 50-meter eco-corridors that are used to help local wildlife cross the park's roads.
Birdwatching
The numerous wetlands of the Netherlands are home to one of the largest concentrations of birds in Europe. But even though this abundance is the dream of many birdwatchers, large numbers of excursions that take place in the area can also cause discomfort to the birds.
More information about responsible birdwatching: 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
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/
Recommended projects and rescue centers:
Donkey sanctuary (Isla Bonaire)
Animal protection entities in The Netherlands
