7 Tourist Attractions That Are Actual Torture for Animals

If you have ever bought shell jewelry, rode an elephant, or had a monkey on your shoulder, you have encouraged cruelty to animals, without even knowing it. For poor animals kept in captivity, every day is filled with torture. In pursuit of entertainment, tourists may not even notice that they are becoming patrons of the ruthless multi-million dollar industry.

Here are seven tourist attractions that are actual torture for animals.

1. Horse-drawn carriages
You may think that rose-drawn rides are excellent for spending some lovely time with your date. And yes, they are pleasant for the passengers but try to look at it from the horse’s point of view. The noise, cars honking, people yelling; in snow, rain, or blazing heat; these poor creatures are forced to work their hooves off for your sake. Sometimes they just fall over and die from over-exhaustion.

2. Shells
Contrary to what the papers say, shells sold in stalls at resorts are usually not collected on beaches. The preparation for the sale is a cruel process, according to National Geographic. Shells are farmed with clams still inside them. The still-alive mollusks are left to dry in the sun. Then they are placed in acid barrels to dissolve the flesh. Next time you decide to buy a shell souvenir, think twice.

3. Elephant rides
I shouldn’t be telling you how cruel the training regime is for the riding elephants. When thy are little, their legs get beaten into a bloody pulp and tied together with a short chain. Yes, humans always know the most horrible way to break an animal’s spirit. They’re starved, beaten with a stick, poked, kicked, and for what, so some whites could post a pic on their Instagram? For shame.