the ethics of photographing wildlife
today’s focus is on taking photos of wildlife ethically.
Since taking on photographing wildlife, I notice that they respond to me when I stop to photograph them. Usually they fly, dart or scurry away when I pull out the camera and aim at them. The last thing I want to do is to be a disturbance to the wildlife. I used to pick up turtles, snakes, baby birds, reptiles, insects, basically any animal or critter that would allow me to pick them up, or more often than not, they had no choice in the matter. I don’t do that any more and I want to minimize my impact on wildlife and wild things.
I have also found that when wildlife is aware of you and doesn’t feel threatened, they will often go about their business or simply stay put, watching you as you go about your business. I have heard of wildlife photographers who think trapping, baiting or calling an animal, or altering the environment is ok to do and is not causing them any harm. I don’t personally advocate any of that and unless you are a wildlife biologist conducting research, I don’t think that it is ok for photographers to engage in.
Check this link to read an article published by National Geographic and written by Melissa Groo, wildlife photographer, writer and conservationist.
I will summarize the article below. I think this is vitally important to the lives and wellbeing of our fellow earth inhabitants and so I am sharing this information with you to aid in conservation. I am in no ways trying to copy or steal the article, I will try my best to paraphrase.
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The welfare of the subject should come first. Allow compassion and conservation to lead the way. Think about the consequences your presence will have on the subject.
The following principles can help you become an ethical photographer.
Do no harm
don’t destroy or alter the habitat to make a better scene or view
leave the animals alone, don’t seek their attention or interaction
take extra care and caution during breeding season
learn and know the signs of stress of your subject
Keep it wild
don’t feed wildlife
prevent habituating wildlife to humans’ presence
Yellowstone National Park’s website plainly states: “A fed animal is a dead animal—good or bad, the Park Service will destroy animals that are habituated to human contact and food.”
Follow the laws
learn and obey the laws in local, state and national parks
obtain necessary permits for commercial photography, workshops, setting up of wildlife trail cameras
drones are prohibited in many areas
Consider the captive
carefully consider photographing captive animals
learn what makes a legitimate zoo or sanctuary
avoid places where animals are exploited for profit including photography game farms
Lastly, Be Honest - disclose pertinent information regarding how the photo was made; was the animal captive, trained, lured? Not disclosing such info can be misleading and dishonest.
I hope you will read the entire article as there is more in depth discussion regarding the ethics involved.
