Animal welfare policy

Table of Contents

• Introduction and Our Commitment
• Conservation of Wildlife and Habitat Protection
• Responsible Management of Captive Wildlife
• Responsible Management of Working Animals
• Marine Wildlife Protection
• Implementation of the policy.

Introduction and Our Commitment

Realistic Asia recognizes the rich biodiversity of our region. We understand that during travel activities the animal’s welfare could be compromised and bring a negative impact on both: animals and travellers. To prevent the negative impact on the local wildlife caused by our operations and preserve the unique ecosystems and welfare of the animals, we are committed to the following actions:

· Conserve and protect the unique biodiversity of our destinations.

· Promote ethical and humane treatment of animals, both in the wild and in captivity.

· Support sustainable practices to ensure long-term health and viability of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The current policy is designed to set sustainable standards for activities involving animals and wildlife. It is based on adopting the World of Animal Welfare's Five freedoms:

1. Freedom from Hunger & Thirst. Easy access to food and water that meets animals' specific dietary needs for optimum health.

2. Freedom From Discomfort. Animals must be provided with an environment consistent with their needs, including the proper shelter.

3. Freedom From Pain, Injury & Disease. Prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behavior. The provision of sufficient space, appropriate “natural” facilities, and the company of animals of its own kind.

5. Freedom From Fear & Distress. The provision of conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering.

Conservation of Wildlife and Habitat Protection

We believe the experiences on our holidays should be natural and authentic, allowing wildlife to be wild, and nature to be natural. For the conservation of wildlife, we implemented the following rules for our staff, partners, and clients:

• Identify the key habitat areas of the wildlife and select the travel routes, which will not bring any damage to the habitat.
• The National Park guidelines must be communicated and respected by all visitors.
• Animals cannot be fed with the human food.
• It is not allowed to touch the wild animals or interact with them. We understand that in some cases the animals can initiate contact, which is acceptable, however, travelers and guides are not encouraged to do so, also animals should have the freedom of choice and the ability to move away.
• It is strictly forbidden to hunt on the wild animals.
• Travelers and activity providers are not allowed to use flashlights or make loud noises that could scare the animals.
• The guides and activity providers must make sure that neither humans nor animals are put in dangerous situations.

Responsible Management of Captive Wildlife

Our destinations are rich in various types of wildlife and under different circumstances, they end up in captive conditions. The responsible management of captive wildlife is essential to ensure the well-being of the animals and contribute to conservation efforts. Captive wildlife includes animals kept in zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities. For our destinations, the most common interactions with captive wildlife include elephants, gibbons, moon bears, crocodiles, etc. When working with suppliers, that provide experiences involving captive wildlife we set the following requirements for the providers:

• Legal compliance: Captive animal suppliers have legal licenses for the attractions or activities they offer. The supplier maintains an up-to-date record of all animals including numbers of each species, births, deaths, and animal acquisitions.
• Provide appropriate housing: Suppliers must create enclosures that mimic the natural habitat of the species, taking into account the animals' size, behavior, and specific needs.
• Nutrition: All animals should have daily access to clean drinking water, are offered a balanced and species-specific diet to meet the nutritional requirements of each animal, and are fed in an appropriate feeding routine close to the natural environment.
• Veterinary care: Regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and prompt medical attention are set up to ensure the animals' health.
• Enrichment: Captive animal supplier implements enrichment programs to stimulate natural behaviors, reduce stress, and enhance the overall well-being of the animals. If the animal takes part in performances, it must involve only their natural behavior and be free of evidence of bad practice.
• Safety: The supplier has strong safety regulations in place to protect both: animals and visitors.
• Interaction with humans: All permitted interactions such as feeding, taking photos, etc. must be free from the evidence of a bad practice.

Responsible Management of Working Animals

In Southeast Asia, many working animals are still a big part of the local daily life. Working animals are often employed in various roles, including agriculture and transportation. We offer experiences involving domestic animals such as oxs, water buffalos, etc. to explore the destination on a deeper level and offer an authentic experience for our travelers. The responsible management of working animals is crucial to ensure their welfare, prevent exploitation, and maintain a healthy and sustainable partnership between humans and animals. When working with suppliers, that provide experiences involving working animals we set the following requirements for the providers:

• Adequate nutrition: Provide a balanced and appropriate diet to meet the nutritional requirements of the working animal, considering factors such as age, size, and workload.

• Clean water: Supplier must provide an access for animals to clean and fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration.

• Shelter: Provide suitable shelter and protection from extreme weather conditions to ensure the well-being of the animal.

• Healthcare: Schedule regular check-ups with a veterinarian to monitor the health of the working animal and address any medical issues promptly. Keep the animal up-to-date on vaccinations and administer preventive care, such as parasite control, to maintain overall health.

• Working conditions: Avoid overworking animals and ensure that the workload is reasonable and appropriate for the species, age, and physical condition of the animal. The animals must be provided with sufficient rest periods and breaks during work to prevent exhaustion and stress.

• Training: Suppliers must use positive training methods to encourage desired behaviors and avoid harsh or punitive measures. The training should be safe for animals and humans.

• Equipment: Ensure that any harnesses, collars, or other equipment are properly fitted to prevent discomfort, injury, or long-term damage. The equipment is regularly checked for any signs of wear or damage.

• Transport: Animals that are used for transport in a manner that prioritizes their safety, comfort, and well-being. Overcrowding is prohibited.

• Retirement: The supplier has developed a retirement plan for the working animals to ensure they are provided with appropriate care and accommodations as they age.

Marine Wildlife Protection

Our destinations are rich in marine biodiversity. Our guests sometimes take part in diving, snorkeling, and fishing activities and see such animals as sea turtles, dolphins, and various kinds of fish. To ensure the safety of the marine ecosystems, we implemented the following rules during the activities at the sea or seaside:

• Select suppliers that adhere to responsible and sustainable practices.

• Respect marine wildlife and their habitats: Keep a safe and respectful distance from marine wildlife during snorkeling and diving. Avoid touching or feeding marine animals.

• Waste management: avoid littering in the sea during the tour to prevent marine pollution. Participate in beach clean-up activities.

• Accommodation: when selecting the accommodation located by the sea, monitor if they follow environmentally friendly practices.

• Education: Explain to the travelers the local regulations and guidelines related to marine wildlife protection, including designated marine protected areas and restricted zones.

• Reef-safe sunscreen: Encourage guests to use sunscreen products that are labeled as reef-safe to avoid harm to the corals.

• Marine turtles: guides should not allow the guests to touch the turtles and their eggs unless supervised by the official research or conservation center. Avoid entering the beach if see the nesting grounds.

• Fishing: Fishing cannot be done in marine parks or protected areas. Any fishing activities must meet the local fishing quotas and breeding season requirements.

Implementation of the policy.

To implement the current policy we implement the following actions:

• Regularly monitor the suppliers of the activities involving animals and marine life and conduct the inspection trips to the facilities.
• Cooperate with the guides to educate the travelers about best practices while seeing or interacting with animals.
• Encourage our customers and staff to report any case where animal welfare or protection may have been compromised.

In case, we encounter an activity that we believe may compromise the welfare of participating animals, we may phase out the activity in question and replace it with the one that meets the sustainability standards or cancel the activity immediately.