Third-Party Supplier Guidelines

To provide clearer direction for certified operators, and reflect evolving international best practice, contemporary animal welfare principles and responsible visitor expectations.

Ecotourism Australia’s certification criteria have long included robust requirements for responsible animal and wildlife tourism. The Animal and Wildlife Guidelines build on this strong foundation, providing greater clarity and practical guidance for certified operators as international best practice, contemporary animal welfare principles, research and responsible visitor expectations continue to evolve.

The Guidelines also reflect Ecotourism Australia’s commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring certification continues to support high-quality wildlife experiences that prioritise animal welfare, contribute to conservation and help visitors better understand and value wildlife and the natural environment.

No. Many operators already align closely with the Guidelines. Operators with animal or wildlife experiences must review the Guidelines to understand any requirements relevant to their certification.

No. Ecotourism Australia recognises and supports the important role that responsible zoos, wildlife parks, sanctuaries and other wildlife organisations can play in conservation, wildlife protection, rehabilitation, research, breeding programs, education and building greater community understanding of wildlife and the natural environment.

We also recognise that animals in managed care have different behavioural, welfare and management considerations, and that responsible animal care requires specialist expertise and evidence-based approaches.

We are proud to work with many zoos, wildlife parks and sanctuaries that hold ECO Certification and make an important contribution to wildlife conservation. Through species conservation and recovery programs, rehabilitation, research, habitat protection, community education and other conservation initiatives, these organisations can play a significant role in protecting wildlife and supporting positive outcomes for nature. Many certified operators have also continued to evolve their visitor experiences and wildlife interaction practices over time, demonstrating that strong conservation outcomes, high standards of animal welfare and meaningful visitor experiences can go hand in hand.

The Animal and Wildlife Guidelines are not intended to question the role or value of responsible wildlife organisations. Their focus is specifically on the tourism interaction with wildlife – how visitors engage with, observe and experience animals as part of a tourism experience.

The Guidelines build on Ecotourism Australia’s existing robust certification criteria and seek to ensure that certified tourism experiences continue to reflect evolving best practice, prioritise animal welfare, support conservation outcomes and provide meaningful opportunities for visitor education and connection with wildlife.

No. Wildlife experiences can play an important role in connecting people with nature, building understanding of wildlife and conservation, and inspiring visitors to care about the protection of species and their habitats.

The Guidelines do not seek to remove meaningful wildlife experiences. They focus on ensuring that the way visitors interact with wildlife continues to evolve in line with contemporary animal welfare principles and responsible tourism best practice. This includes considering the nature of the interaction, the species involved, animal welfare and choice, the purpose of the experience and the conservation and educational outcomes it supports.

Operators with animals in managed care should review relevant visitor experiences against the Guidelines, with a particular focus on how tourists interact with wildlife, including experiences involving handling, feeding, close contact or close-contact photography.

The Guidelines focus specifically on the tourism interaction with wildlife, including visitor handling, feeding and close-contact experiences. They do not restrict appropriate animal care, welfare and management activities undertaken by suitably trained or qualified staff as part of the responsible care of animals in managed settings where this is necessary for animal welfare, veterinary treatment, husbandry, rehabilitation, staff training or safe operational management.

Ecotourism Australia recognises that many operators already have strong animal welfare, veterinary, conservation, staff training, enclosure management and visitor safety practices in place, and that the needs and behaviours of animals in managed care can vary significantly between species and settings. The staged implementation approach provides time for operators to review their current visitor experiences, understand how the Guidelines apply to their individual circumstances and, where required, plan an appropriate transition.

Not automatically. Existing certified operators remain certified through to 30 June 2028, subject to meeting the existing certification requirements. During the transition, operators should review relevant experiences and prepare for updated criteria. Where updated requirements cannot be met, Ecotourism Australia may apply certification conditions, require removal of an experience from the certified scope, suspend certification or cancel certification.

No. Observation-based, non-invasive experiences are the expected benchmark. A controlled visitor interaction with captive wildlife may be permitted where it forms part of a structured, directly supervised animal care, conservation or educational experience; is suitable for the species and individual animal; is welfare-led and low stress; and meets the visitor interaction, handling and welfare requirements in the Guidelines. Species-specific prohibitions still apply.

Staff-held animals for education and interpretation
We recognise that trained animal care and education staff may handle or hold appropriate animals, including some reptiles, as part of legitimate conservation education, interpretation, husbandry or animal care activities.

Where an animal is held or restrained for an educational presentation, it does not need to be able to freely withdraw at every moment while being appropriately held. However, where additional physical restraint is used for safety – for example, securing the mouth of a crocodilian – the operator must demonstrate that it is necessary and proportionate, consistent with appropriate species-specific welfare practices, and used for the minimum duration necessary.

Where significant restraint is routinely required primarily to enable a visitor experience to occur safely, operators should transition towards less restrictive alternatives such as protected-contact or observation-based presentations. Staff restraint of an animal does not make visitor touching or handling acceptable where this would otherwise be inappropriate.

Visitors should not be encouraged to touch or handle an animal simply because it is being restrained by staff. Species-specific restrictions continue to apply, and direct visitor contact with species recognised as unsuitable for such interaction should not form part of the experience.

Staff handling of snakes and lizards
Staff handling of snakes, lizards and other appropriate reptiles may be consistent with the Guidelines where it forms part of a genuine educational, conservation or animal care activity and is undertaken by appropriately trained staff. An animal does not need to be able to physically withdraw at every moment while being appropriately held; however, the interaction must be welfare-led and suitable for the species and individual animal.

Operators should consider the animal’s suitability for handling, handling technique, habituation or training, frequency and duration of presentations, rotation and rest periods, and any signs of stress, discomfort or avoidance. Handling should use the least restrictive approach appropriate to the animal and activity and should be modified or ceased where there are indications of adverse welfare impacts.

Staff handling for these purposes is distinct from routine visitor handling or holding and does not automatically mean that visitors should be permitted to touch or handle the animal.

Staff handling of crocodiles and other crocodilians
Staff handling of crocodiles and other crocodilians may be appropriate where it is necessary for legitimate animal care, welfare, veterinary, conservation or other operational purposes and is undertaken by appropriately trained staff using appropriate welfare and safety practices.

A higher threshold applies where crocodilians are restrained for an educational or visitor presentation. Significant physical restraint, including securing or taping an animal’s mouth, limits the animal’s ability to withdraw and should only be used where there is a clear and demonstrable justification, is appropriate for the species and individual animal, and is undertaken for the minimum duration necessary.

In assessing these experiences, operators should consider whether the restraint is necessary for animal care, welfare, conservation or a genuine and demonstrably valuable educational purpose, or whether it is principally required to enable a visitor experience that could not otherwise occur safely.

Where significant restraint is principally required to enable the visitor experience, operators should transition towards alternative presentation methods that achieve the conservation and educational purpose without requiring that level of restraint. This may include observation-based experiences, protected-contact presentations or interpretation of natural behaviours.

Visitors should not touch, hold or handle crocodilians as part of the tourism experience, including where an animal is being held or restrained by staff.

Certification and legal compliance are not the same thing. A lawful activity may still be inconsistent with Ecotourism Australia’s approved policy direction and the Animal and Wildlife Guidelines.

Yes. Operators must maintain a documented animal welfare policy for third-party animal and wildlife suppliers, including how suppliers are selected, assessed, approved, periodically reviewed and, where necessary, suspended or removed.

Operators should verify relevant licences, permits, welfare controls and recognised accreditation where relevant; monitor complaints, incidents and regulatory action; and ensure agreements and promotional materials do not encourage unacceptable practices.

Yes. Certified operators that promote, package, sell, recommend or otherwise include third-party animal or wildlife suppliers within their certified tourism product must maintain a documented animal welfare policy for those suppliers. The policy should explain how suppliers are selected, assessed, approved and periodically reviewed, how animal welfare and legal compliance are verified, and when a supplier may be suspended or removed from the certified product.

Certified operators should consider whether a supplier included within their certified tourism product holds relevant licences and permits, meets applicable animal welfare requirements, manages visitor interactions responsibly, has conservation, education or rehabilitation outcomes where relevant, allows animals to retreat from visitors where appropriate, and avoids activities that prioritise entertainment or souvenir photography over animal welfare.

No. ZAA Accreditation is not mandatory for every supplier. However, when a certified operator includes a captive wildlife attraction within its certified tourism product, recognised accreditation should form part of the supplier due diligence process where relevant. Ecotourism Australia strongly supports and encourages captive wildlife attractions to obtain Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Accreditation or demonstrate equivalent independently verified and recognised welfare standards.

Certified operators should retain evidence of due diligence for suppliers included within their certified tourism product. This may include supplier assessments or checklists, licences, permits, certifications or accreditations, written confirmation of animal welfare controls, site visit records, supplier review notes, records of complaints or incidents, corrective actions, and evidence that promotional materials have been updated where supplier practices change

Not solely on that basis. Legal compliance is essential, but it does not automatically mean that a  supplier or experience aligns with Ecotourism Australia’s certification expectations. Before including or continuing to promote a supplier within a certified tourism product, the certified operator should also consider animal welfare, conservation outcomes, visitor management practices and alignment with the Guidelines and applicable certification requirements.

The certified operator should investigate the concern, seek relevant evidence, review the supplier’s continued suitability and consider whether corrective action has been taken. The supplier or affected experience should only remain within the certified tourism product where the operator can demonstrate that relevant certification expectations continue to be met. Where this cannot be demonstrated, the operator should suspend or remove the supplier or experience.

Yes, where the experience forms part of your certified tourism product. A certified operator remains responsible for demonstrating that animal and wildlife experiences it promotes, packages, sells, recommends or otherwise includes within that product align with Ecotourism Australia’s certification expectations, even when another business delivers the experience.

A third-party wildlife experience should be treated as within scope where it is promoted, packaged, sold, recommended, booked or otherwise included as part of the certified tourism product. This may include experiences included in itineraries, packages, optional add-ons, booking pathways or commission arrangements. General destination information that is clearly separate from the certified tourism product may not be within scope. Where a supplier is within scope, the operator should undertake appropriate due diligence and ensure the experience aligns with Ecotourism Australia’s certification expectations.

The third-party experience should still be included in the operator’s supplier due diligence where it forms part of the certified tourism product, even if it is optional, brief or only one component of a longer itinerary. The operator should clearly identify which components fall within the certified product, assess the relevant supplier and experience against applicable requirements, and ensure booking information and promotional claims do not imply that an excluded or nonaligned component is covered by ECO Certification

Optional add-ons should be reviewed in the same way as core itinerary components where they are offered through the operator’s website, booking pathway, agent, itinerary or other sales channel as part of the certified tourism product. Operators should assess the supplier before offering the add-on, describe the experience accurately, avoid imagery or wording that encourages unacceptable practices, and have a process to suspend or remove the add-on if welfare concerns, regulatory action or material changes arise.

Ecotourism Australia will work with the operator to understand the issue, confirm the relevant requirements and agree appropriate next steps through the staged transition approach.

Ecotourism Australia will provide practical guidance and support to help operators understand the Guidelines and review relevant practices against the approved policy direction.

The Animal and Wildlife Guidelines provide detailed guidance for different types of animal and wildlife experiences.

Ecotourism Australia strongly recognises the important conservation contribution made by many wildlife tourism operators, including through species protection and recovery, rehabilitation, research, habitat conservation and visitor education. These outcomes are fundamental to genuine ecotourism and remain an important part of ECO Certification.

However, conservation outcomes and the way visitors interact with wildlife must be considered together. A strong conservation contribution does not automatically mean that every type of visitor interaction is appropriate. The Guidelines consider the nature and purpose of the interaction, animal welfare, the ability of animals to exercise choice and natural behaviours, and the educational and conservation value of the experience.

The aim is to support wildlife tourism where conservation, high standards of animal welfare and meaningful visitor experiences work together.

No. Conservation is fundamental to genuine ecotourism, and many wildlife experiences make an important contribution to species protection, rehabilitation, research, habitat conservation and visitor education. However, a positive conservation outcome does not automatically mean that every form of visitor interaction with wildlife is appropriate.

The Guidelines consider the tourism interaction itself, including animal welfare, the nature and purpose of the interaction, the ability of an animal to exercise choice and natural behaviours, and whether the experience supports responsible visitor education and conservation outcomes.

Ecotourism Australia’s approach is to support wildlife tourism experiences where strong conservation outcomes, high standards of animal welfare and meaningful visitor experiences work together.

Yes. Ecotourism Australia is reviewing the animal and wildlife criteria in alignment with the Guidelines. Until revised criteria are introduced, the existing certification criteria remain the formal standard against which operators are assessed.

This will provide an opportunity to ensure the criteria and supporting guidance work together clearly and consistently, reflect contemporary research and animal welfare principles, and continue to support strong conservation, visitor education and responsible tourism outcomes.

Any new enforceable requirements and applicable implementation timeframes will be clearly communicated when the revised criteria are introduced, together with guidance and transition support.

The certification criteria remain the formal requirements against which operators are assessed for certification. The Animal and Wildlife Guidelines provide additional direction and greater clarity on Ecotourism Australia’s evolving approach to responsible tourism interactions with wildlife and will inform the upcoming periodic review of the criteria.

Importantly, existing certified operators will not lose their certification simply because the Guidelines have been introduced. Where an existing visitor experience may need to evolve to align with the direction of the Guidelines, Ecotourism Australia will work with the operator through the staged transition process.

Certification remains valid during an agreed transition period, subject to operators continuing to meet their existing certification requirements. Any future changes to the formal criteria will be communicated as part of the periodic review process, together with appropriate implementation timeframes and support for operators.

Auditors assess operators against the certification criteria in force at the time of the audit. The Animal and Wildlife Guidelines support interpretation and application of those criteria and set Ecotourism Australia’s policy direction, but they do not replace the formal standard. The approved transition framework also applies alongside the standard and audit requirements.

Existing certified operators have a staged transition period through to June 2028. Operators should use this period to review their current wildlife experiences and progressively make any changes needed to align with the Guidelines, rather than waiting until the implementation deadline.

If an operator is due for audit during the transition period, Ecotourism Australia’s technical support team will provide guidance, identify where visitor experiences may need to evolve and support the operator’s transition.

Operators should use the transition period to review and improve relevant experiences. Any enforceable new requirements and their implementation timeframes will be communicated when revised criteria are introduced.

Once the certification criteria are updated, operators will be required to meet the revised criteria within the applicable implementation timeframes, and auditors will assess against these requirements as part of the formal certification and audit process.

By 30 June 2028, existing certified operators must have completed the transition arrangements applicable to them. Verification or further audit activity will occur where required under the certification and audit process.

Existing operators will not automatically lose their certification during the transition period. Ecotourism Australia will work with operators to provide guidance and a reasonable pathway to transition while maintaining the integrity of ECO Certification.

For applicants from 1 July 2026, a proposed certified tourism product must not include direct visitor touching or cuddling of wildlife. For existing certified operators, transition arrangements apply through to 30 June 2028.

Wildlife in captivity – close animal encounter

Controlled and supervised touching or feeding may be appropriate as part of a structured ‘Keeper for a Day’, ‘supervised animal encounter’ or similar animal care or educational experience, where undertaken under the direct supervision of appropriately trained staff. Activities must be appropriate for the species and individual animal, have a genuine animal care, conservation or educational purpose, and be managed to protect animal welfare, including appropriate choice and the ability to withdraw where practicable.

Existing certified operators have a staged transition period through to 30 June 2028. Ecotourism Australia will work with operators during this period to provide guidance and support.

For wildlife in the wild, feeding or baiting is strongly discouraged and is prohibited unless specifically authorised by law and supported by the relevant regulator or land manager. Where authorised, it must be supervised, use food from the animal’s natural diet, avoid unaltered habitat, and not alter natural feeding patterns.

For captive wildlife and domesticated animals, any visitor feeding must be controlled, supervised, nutritionally appropriate and managed to avoid overfeeding, dependency or adverse welfare impacts.

Not all feeding is treated in the same way. The Guidelines recognise that circumstances vary depending on the species, whether animals are in the wild or managed care, and the purpose and management of the activity. Feeding undertaken by appropriately trained staff as part of responsible animal care and management is distinct from feeding offered as a visitor interaction.

Animal choice is an important consideration in responsible wildlife tourism, but it is not the only factor in determining whether an interaction aligns with the Guidelines. The nature of the interaction, the species involved, animal welfare and behaviour, the setting and management of the experience, and the potential impact of repeated visitor interactions must also be considered.

The Guidelines do not restrict legitimate wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, conservation, research, species recovery or education programs. Ecotourism Australia recognises the important role many certified operators, sanctuaries and wildlife organisations play in delivering these programs and the significant contribution they make to wildlife conservation, community awareness and understanding of the natural environment.

The Guidelines focus on the tourism interaction with wildlife – how these activities are incorporated into a visitor experience and how visitors interact with the animals involved.

Activities undertaken by appropriately trained or qualified staff for animal care, welfare, rehabilitation, veterinary treatment, conservation, research or education purposes are distinct from interactions offered to visitors as part of a tourism experience.

Operators can continue to share their conservation, rehabilitation and education work with visitors through interpretation, observation, demonstrations and other appropriately managed experiences. These programs provide valuable opportunities to build understanding of wildlife, conservation challenges and responsible behaviour while ensuring the welfare and needs of the animals remain the priority.

Yes. Operators with current ECO Certification remain certified during the transition period and can continue to promote their certification and use the ECO Certification logo in accordance with Ecotourism Australia’s usual requirements.

Where changes to wildlife experiences are required, operators should actively work towards meeting the new requirements within the transition timeframe. Ecotourism Australia encourages operators to be transparent with visitors, trade partners and other stakeholders about changes they are making to their wildlife experiences and why. This can provide a positive opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, animal welfare, conservation and responsible tourism best practice.

Ecotourism Australia will provide guidance and support to help operators communicate these changes clearly and positively throughout the transition.

Yes. Ecotourism Australia’s existing certification criteria already include specific requirements for wildlife tourism, including what is and is not permitted when interacting with animals in the wild. The Animal and Wildlife Guidelines build on these established requirements and provide further clarity as responsible wildlife tourism best practice continues to evolve.

For wildlife in the wild, operators must continue to meet the existing certification criteria, including requirements designed to minimise disturbance, protect natural behaviours and habitats, and ensure interactions do not negatively affect animal welfare or conservation outcomes.

For animals in managed care, the Guidelines provide additional direction on visitor interactions, recognising the different behavioural, welfare and management considerations that apply in these settings.

Across both settings, the focus remains on protecting wildlife and supporting high-quality tourism experiences that contribute to conservation, education and a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural environment.

The Guidelines have been developed following Ecotourism Australia’s review of current and emerging best practice and consideration of the risks and expectations associated with wildlife tourism experiences. This has drawn on our work with tourism and sustainability organisations globally, contemporary animal welfare principles and research, industry practice, changing visitor expectations and broader travel and tourism trends.

As the owner of the ECO Certification standard, Ecotourism Australia has a responsibility to regularly review and evolve its certification requirements to ensure they remain robust, credible and reflective of best practice. This is a normal and important part of maintaining a high-standard certification program, and our criteria have evolved throughout the history of ECO Certification as knowledge, industry practices and expectations have changed.

Industry engagement will continue throughout implementation of the Guidelines and through the review of the criteria. We will work directly with affected operators to understand practical considerations, provide guidance and support transition, while continuing to engage with relevant industry, wildlife and tourism stakeholders.

The Guidelines will also inform the upcoming periodic review of the ECO Certification criteria, which will provide a further opportunity for broader engagement and feedback.

The review will not revisit the overall direction established by the Wildlife and Animal Guidelines, but will help ensure the updated criteria are clear, practical and consistently applied.

From 1 July 2026, Ecotourism Australia will not accept an application from, or certify, a future applicant whose proposed certified tourism product includes direct visitor touching or cuddling of wildlife. Prospective applicants should review their animal and wildlife experiences against the Guidelines before applying.

Operators with an application already underway should contact Ecotourism Australia to confirm the requirements and transition arrangements that apply to their circumstances. All applicants must meet the certification criteria applicable at the time of assessment.

The staged transition through to 30 June 2028 applies to existing certified operators. It recognises that established certified products may require time to review and change relevant experiences while continuing to meet existing certification requirements.

To achieve ECO Certification, applicants must meet the certification criteria applicable at the time of their certification assessment. As the animal and wildlife criteria are updated to align with the Guidelines, applicants will need to meet those updated criteria in order to achieve certification.

Which current animal encounters are likely to remain permissible, and which may need to change?
Ecotourism Australia will assess animal and wildlife experiences against the certification criteria applicable at the time of assessment, supported by the Guidelines and transition framework.

Key considerations include whether the experience is welfare-led, low stress and appropriately supervised; supports natural behaviour, animal choice, conservation and education; and avoids coercion, unnecessary restraint and visitor convenience taking priority over animal welfare.

Examples of interactions that are likely to remain acceptable, where appropriately managed, may include:

• Observation-based wildlife viewing where visitors maintain appropriate distances and wildlife can move away freely
• Guided interpretation in zoos, sanctuaries, aquariums or wildlife parks
• Walkthrough aviaries where birds can move freely, avoid visitors, and are not chased, handled, crowded or fed in ways that compromise welfare
• Behind-the-scenes experiences focused on education, conservation, husbandry or research, where visitors observe or learn from trained staff without inappropriate direct contact
• Keeper talks, feeding demonstrations or enrichment activities conducted by trained staff for animal care, welfare or educational purposes
• ‘Keeper for a Day’, ‘supervised animal encounter’ or similar programs where controlled touching or feeding is undertaken under the direct supervision of appropriately trained staff, is appropriate for the species and individual animal, has a genuine animal care, conservation or educational purpose, and protects animal welfare, including appropriate choice and the ability to withdraw where practicable
• Photographs where animals may be visible in the frame, provided the animal has the opportunity to retreat
• Wildlife in the wild experiences such as whale watching, birdwatching, turtle nesting tours, crocodile cruises, platypus tours and reef-based wildlife viewing, where these are conducted in accordance with relevant permits, approach distances, species-specific rules and low-impact visitor management.

Examples of interactions that may require modification include:

• Visitor feeding of wildlife where the activity may create dependency, alter natural feeding patterns, concentrate animals unnaturally or increase disease or safety risks
• Experiences marketed primarily around touching, holding, cuddling, restraining or close-contact photography with wildlife, particularly where there is no genuine conservation or educational purpose or the animal cannot withdraw
• Touch tanks or touch pools where visitors pick up, hold, lift or restrain animals; animals cannot avoid contact or access non-contact retreat areas; contact is repeated or prolonged; or the activity is primarily designed around handling or entertainment rather than welfare, education or conservation
• Behind-the-scenes encounters where visitors are brought into close contact with animals in a way that limits the animal’s ability to retreat

Examples of practices that are unlikely to align with the Guidelines include:

• Visitor holding or cuddling of wildlife outside a structured, directly supervised animal care, conservation or educational experience that meets the Guidelines, and any interaction where the animal cannot retreat
• Close-contact photo opportunities where the animal cannot freely withdraw
• Tourist contact with or feeding of wildlife where this compromises welfare, changes natural behaviour or is primarily for entertainment
• Wildlife performances, tricks or activities that require unnatural behaviours or prioritise visitor entertainment over animal welfare
• Unsupervised feeding of wildlife
• Activities that rely on chasing, surrounding, cornering, calling, luring or otherwise disturbing wildlife to create a viewing or photography opportunity

Ecotourism Australia will consider the specific species, setting, frequency, purpose and management of each experience. Operators should not assume that an example is automatically acceptable in all circumstances.

Ecotourism Australia will assess animal and wildlife experiences against the certification criteria applicable at the time of assessment, supported by the Guidelines and transition framework.

Key considerations include whether the experience is welfare-led, low stress and appropriately supervised; supports natural behaviour, animal choice, conservation and education; and avoids coercion, unnecessary restraint and visitor convenience taking priority over animal welfare.

Examples of interactions that are likely to remain acceptable, where appropriately managed, may include:

• Observation-based wildlife viewing where visitors maintain appropriate distances and wildlife can move away freely
• Guided interpretation in zoos, sanctuaries, aquariums or wildlife parks
• Walkthrough aviaries where birds can move freely, avoid visitors, and are not chased, handled, crowded or fed in ways that compromise welfare
• Behind-the-scenes experiences focused on education, conservation, husbandry or research, where visitors observe or learn from trained staff without inappropriate direct contact
• Keeper talks, feeding demonstrations or enrichment activities conducted by trained staff for animal care, welfare or educational purposes
• ‘Keeper for a Day’, ‘supervised animal encounter’ or similar programs where controlled touching or feeding is undertaken under the direct supervision of appropriately trained staff, is appropriate for the species and individual animal, has a genuine animal care, conservation or educational purpose, and protects animal welfare, including appropriate choice and the ability to withdraw where practicable
• Photographs where animals may be visible in the frame, provided the animal has the opportunity to retreat
• Wildlife in the wild experiences such as whale watching, birdwatching, turtle nesting tours, crocodile cruises, platypus tours and reef-based wildlife viewing, where these are conducted in accordance with relevant permits, approach distances, species-specific rules and low-impact visitor management.

Examples of interactions that may require modification include:

• Visitor feeding of wildlife where the activity may create dependency, alter natural feeding patterns, concentrate animals unnaturally or increase disease or safety risks
• Experiences marketed primarily around touching, holding, cuddling, restraining or close-contact photography with wildlife, particularly where there is no genuine conservation or educational purpose or the animal cannot withdraw
• Touch tanks or touch pools where visitors pick up, hold, lift or restrain animals; animals cannot avoid contact or access non-contact retreat areas; contact is repeated or prolonged; or the activity is primarily designed around handling or entertainment rather than welfare, education or conservation
• Behind-the-scenes encounters where visitors are brought into close contact with animals in a way that limits the animal’s ability to retreat

Examples of practices that are unlikely to align with the Guidelines include:

• Visitor holding or cuddling of wildlife outside a structured, directly supervised animal care, conservation or educational experience that meets the Guidelines, and any interaction where the animal cannot retreat
• Close-contact photo opportunities where the animal cannot freely withdraw
• Tourist contact with or feeding of wildlife where this compromises welfare, changes natural behaviour or is primarily for entertainment
• Wildlife performances, tricks or activities that require unnatural behaviours or prioritise visitor entertainment over animal welfare
• Unsupervised feeding of wildlife
• Activities that rely on chasing, surrounding, cornering, calling, luring or otherwise disturbing wildlife to create a viewing or photography opportunity.
• Ecotourism Australia will consider the specific species, setting, frequency, purpose and management of each experience. Operators should not assume that an example is automatically acceptable in all circumstances.

A close-contact photograph is generally a photo opportunity where the visitor is positioned very close to an animal in a way that creates, encourages or depends on direct interaction, handling, restraint, touching, feeding, luring, crowding or the animal being used as a prop. The issue is not only the physical distance between the visitor and the animal.

Ecotourism Australia will also consider whether the animal has choice, whether it can withdraw, whether it is being positioned for the photograph, whether staff or visitors are encouraging contact, and whether the experience risks normalising inappropriate wildlife behaviour.

A photograph may be more likely to align with the Guidelines where:

• the animal is not touched, held, restrained, lured or positioned for the visitor
• visitors remain at an appropriate distance for the species and setting
• the animal can move away or avoid the encounter
• the interaction is brief, calm, supervised and low stress
• the photograph supports education, interpretation or appreciation rather than presenting the animal as a prop.

For example, a visitor standing at an appropriate distance near a koala in a managed setting may be acceptable if the koala is not handled or restrained, the animal can move away, and the experience is supervised and welfare-led. A photograph where a visitor holds, touches, cuddles or is positioned immediately beside wildlife that cannot withdraw is unlikely to align with the Guidelines.

Behind-the-scenes photographs may be acceptable where the experience is genuinely educational, controlled by trained staff, and does not involve inappropriate touching, restraint, crowding or positioning of the animal for visitor photography. Animals appearing in the frame of a photograph are not automatically a concern if the image reflects appropriate distance, no direct contact and responsible visitor behaviour.

Promotional materials should reflect the standards expected in the visitor experience. Ecotourism Australia will consider whether images, videos, brochures, social media posts, itineraries and booking content encourage or normalise behaviour that is inconsistent with the Guidelines.

Images may be considered inappropriate where they show or encourage:

• visitors holding, cuddling, restraining or touching wildlife
• close-contact photographs where the animal cannot withdraw
• feeding wildlife where this is not authorised, appropriate and clearly controlled
• chasing, surrounding, crowding, calling or luring wildlife
• animals used as props or entertainment
• unsafe or disrespectful visitor behaviour
• interactions that appear to undermine animal welfare, natural behaviour or responsible visitor conduct.

Historic images should be reviewed and, where necessary, replaced during the transition period. Operators should avoid using images that promote practices inconsistent with the Guidelines or the certification criteria in force. By 30 June 2028, promotional material connected with certified experiences should reflect the approved transition arrangements and any revised certification requirements then applicable.

Images that show animals in frame without touching, feeding or inappropriate proximity may be acceptable where they accurately represent responsible, observation-based experiences.

Ecotourism Australia recognises that some wildlife interactions may generate revenue that supports conservation, rehabilitation, research, education or habitat protection. This contribution is important and will be considered as part of the broader conservation context of the operation.

However, conservation funding does not automatically make interaction acceptable. The visitor interaction itself must still be assessed against the Guidelines, including animal welfare, animal choice, natural behaviour, visitor management, species suitability, frequency and whether the activity is consistent with responsible tourism best practice.

Operators should be able to explain both:

• how the experience contributes to conservation or education outcomes, and
• how the interaction is designed and managed so that animal welfare is not compromised.

The aim is to support experiences where conservation outcomes, high standards of animal welfare and meaningful visitor education work together.

Guides should intervene promptly and respectfully. Guests should be reminded that feeding wildlife can cause harm by changing natural behaviours, creating dependency, increasing aggression, spreading disease and putting both wildlife and people at risk.

Operators should have clear procedures for unauthorised feeding, including:

• pre-tour briefings that explain no-feeding rules
• signage or written visitor information where appropriate
• staff authority to stop the behaviour immediately
• safe collection or removal of food where practical
• incident recording where feeding occurs
• review of whether additional visitor management controls are needed.

Repeated unauthorised feeding may indicate that stronger supervision, clearer messaging or changes to tour design are required.

If you have questions about the Guidelines or how they may apply to your business, please contact the Ecotourism Australia Certification Team.