Colombia
Birdwatching
After many years of little tourism due to security reasons, Colombia is beginning to develop its tourism industry. This country has the largest number of species in the world (almost 1900) so as security improves, the influx of tourists could become a problem. Backpackers heading to Taganga can observe birds near Minca and those who want to do so responsibly can find more information here: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s64
Horse and mule rides
Horseback riding is a very common activity in certain areas of Colombia, especially around forest areas and national parks. Horses and mules are also used to transport luggage on typical backpacking routes such as the 5 day trekking to the Lost City. You should always check the condition of the horses and mules used in this difficult terrain and ensure that they are not overloaded.
Also, in the touristic zone of Cartagena, the horses which are used to pull carriages with tourists have been experiencing many accidents and often collapse on the ground as a result of fatigue and heat. As indicated by local animal protection entities, these horses work 20 hours a day, are bony and malnourished, and their owners cannot even provide them water or food because of their fear of fines, since the Cartagena district sanctions the owners if their horses urinate on the pavements of the walled city. The city mayor, Dionisio Vélez, has established an order that will enter into force on December 31, 2014 which intends to regulate the use of these animals, demanding, among other things, that each carriage has two horses to take turns during the workday. However, serious accidents continue to occur and local organizations continue to receive complaints from tourists from around the world.
For more information on this topic: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s24; http://turismo-responsable.com/blog/carros-con-caballos-cuando-el-maltrato-animal-ahuyenta-el-turismo
Bullfighting
Colombia is considered the second country in South America regarding the prevalence of bullfighting industry.
Bullfighting in Colombia formally began with the bullfights that were started to celebrate the independence of Spain, although the industry only reached maturity from 1917, when two Spanish bullfighters went to Bogotá and developed the industry there.
Today, the bullfighting industry has at least 86 permanent bullrings (the largest ones are in Bogotá, Manizales, Calí, Medellín, Bucaramanga and Cartagena), more than 30 cattle ranches of 'bulls of lidia', and eight bullfighting schools (Calí, Medellín, Manizales, Choachí, Sogamoso, Nobsa, Ubaté and Lenguazaque).
The bullring of Bogotá is the second in size (14,500 seats) and was opened in 1931. Bullfights are organized in January and February every year, but the number of bullfights has been reducing over time. In 2004 the bullfighting industry, supported by the president and his family, successfully secured a critical national law, Law 916 (“Bullfighting Code”), which regulates the industry and declares bullfighting as “an artistic expression of human beings”.
In addition to bullfighting, Colombia also has other cruel festivities, such as the Corraleja. In this event, a large number of people, usually drunk, provoke a bull by using umbrellas, flags and all kinds of objects in a bullring or a stadium.
Another very popular festivity in Venezuela and Colombia is the "Coleo". Although here the aim is not to kill the bull, but to throw it to the ground by pulling its tail or legs, the animals involved are usually injured and in very poor condition.
More information on the topic: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s49
Stray animals
There are large numbers of stray animals in Colombia, which often live in very bad conditions. The stray cat and dog populations are controlled by unregulated culling which usually involves very cruel methods. If you find these animals, you can help them by giving them some food or water, but avoiding close contact in order to prevent contagious illnesses. Before traveling you can find the contacts of local animal protection NGOs to inform them in case you find very ill animals or victims of animal abuse, or in case you want to make a donation.
More information: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s95-perros-y-gatos-callejeros
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:
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, a complaint or find an animal that needs help in Colombia:
ADA Colombia - Asociación Defensora de Animales y del Ambiente
Animal Defenders International - South America
Asociación Bogotana de Ornitología
Asociación de Egresados Defenzoores
Corporación RAYA (Red de Ayuda a los Animales)
Federación de Entidades Defensoras de Animales y del Ambiente de Colombia - Fedamco
