The Hidden Cost of the Perfect Selfie

What do tigers, sloths, elephants and bears have in common? They're all part of the incredibly lucrative captive wildlife tourism industry. Travelers from around the world clamor for opportunities to pose with these magnificent creatures and get that perfect selfie. This week - we look at the complicated nature of elephant tourism in Thailand. For more information on this episode, visit nationalgeographic.com/overheard

Want More?

Read Natasha's cover story on wildlife tourism to learn more about the global industry.

Learn more about Ban Ta Klang the "elephant village" at the center of Thailand's captive elephant trade.

Want to know how to approach wildlife tourism in a way that's better for animals? We've got some tips on how to make sure you're having an ethical encounter.

Why do people risk their lives for animal selfies? Natasha talked with psychologists to find out.

Learn more about Puerto Alegria - a Peruvian town on the banks of the Amazon that was once a hotbed of wildlife tourism.

Also Explore

Get some tips from National Geographic photographers on how to photograph wild animals ethically.

Learn more about Think Elephants International, the organization that Joshua Plotnik co-founded.

The advocacy group World Animal Protection studied the impact of wildlife selfies in the Amazon. Read more about what they found.

If you like what you hear and want to support more content like this, please consider a National Geographic subscription. Go to natgeo.com/exploremore to subscribe today. 

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