Animal selfies: cute memories or harmful mistakes ?

Alexia T
Oct 1
3 min read

When I started my volunteer missions, I remember this photo so clearly.A magical moment: a baby monkey in my arms, a shared look, and that instinctive reflex — to capture the instant.

Back then, it felt innocent. Touching. Even beautiful.

But today, with hindsight, field experience, and after seeing the issues spreading across social media… I realize that these “souvenir” photos can hide a much more disturbing reality.

And that’s exactly why it’s time to talk about it.

A culture of “likes”… with hidden costs

On Instagram or TikTok, travel photos make people dream. Even more so when they feature animals: a lion cub in your arms, stroking an elephant, a monkey perched on your shoulder, a parrot waving “hello”…

But what we often forget to ask is:

What had to be done for this animal to accept it?
Is it here to be cared for… or to be displayed?

What the photo doesn’t show

What a selfie doesn’t show is:

the stress of an animal torn from its natural environment,
the forced separation of babies so they can be made “manageable”,
the interruption or diversion of proper care, just to make room for visitors,
facilities that keep animals captive on purpose, only to “put them on display”.

Yes, even in some so-called “rescue” centers.

And no, it’s not always intentional or malicious.But it’s real. And it happens again and again.

I’m not writing this to make you feel guilty!

I did it too. I proudly took those photos.I didn’t know they could cause so much harm.

And that’s OK — not knowing is normal.But now that I do know, I want to share and raise awareness, not judge.

What Vaya Planet stands for (and what we refuse)

At Vaya Planet, we don’t promote any mission where animals are used as entertainment or decoration. No staged selfies. No forced contact. No enclosures built just to please visitors.

Our animal missions are about real protection, care, rehabilitation, and, whenever possible, reintroduction.

And sometimes, in certain sanctuaries, direct contact isn’t allowed at all — because the wellbeing of the animals always comes first.

Before posting a photo with an animal…

There’s a difference between showing your work and showing an animal as an “accessory”.

If you share a photo taken during a mission or a care activity, make it clear in your caption. For example:“This isn’t a pet, but a photo taken as part of my volunteer work with a local association.”

That changes everything: the photo becomes a testimony of commitment, not a staged souvenir.

What you can do ✅ :

🐾 Show a real care or feeding moment

📸 Take photos from a distance, without forced contact

✍️ Add context in your caption (mission, sanctuary, care work)

🌿 Highlight the animal in its natural environment

What to avoid ❌ :

🚫 “Souvenir” selfies with direct contact

🎭 Animals used as attractions or props

📱 Posting without context → risks encouraging bad practices

💔 Photos that serve humans more than the animal

And what if we kept memories differently ?

Of course, you’re allowed to want a keepsake.But that memory could be:

a gaze captured from a distance,
a blurred gesture of care in the background,
a journal entry written each night,
a bond lived, not photographed.

Because it’s not the photos that make the moment powerful. It’s the impact it leaves on you and no picture can ever fully capture that.

And when it comes to problematic photos

We also count on you: report photos or videos that exploit animals (forced selfies, tourist shows, staged “performances”…).

These reports may feel like a small gesture, but they help reduce the reach of content that harms the very causes we’re fighting for.

**Feeding a baby porcupine, with no direct contact. A care moment, not a show.**

🌍 In summary

It’s never “just a selfie”.

Sometimes it’s a small gesture that feeds a big industry.

But it can also be a chance to do better, to choose differently, and to lead by example.

At Vaya Planet, we believe in volunteering that is responsible, respectful, and transparent — and that also includes what we choose to share.Because sharing is already a form of action. Choose images that protect, not exploit.