Animal Welfare & Ethical Wildlife Policy

Policy Statement

Journey Morocco recognises animals as sentient beings whose welfare is inseparable from the cultural, environmental, and ethical integrity of travel in Morocco. We are committed to ensuring that all animal encounters offered through our itineraries are conducted responsibly, humanely, and without exploitation.

This policy establishes binding standards governing both permitted and prohibited animal interactions. It is informed by international animal-welfare principles, regional best practices, and the operational standards expected of elite luxury travel operators.

These requirements are mandatory and enforceable for all Journey Morocco employees, guides, handlers, transport providers, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and third-party partners, across all itineraries, regions, and service tiers.

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1. Core Principles

Journey Morocco operates under the following principles:

• Animal welfare takes precedence over guest preference

• Animals must never be subjected to abusive coercion, unnecessary restraint, sedation, mutilation, distress, or exploitative treatment for tourism purposes.

• Animals must be treated in ways that preserve their welfare, minimise distress, and allow disengagement wherever reasonably and safely possible, and appropriate to the species and activity.

• Cultural practices do not excuse abuse or neglect

• Ethical interaction may occur only where animal health, choice, and dignity are preserved

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2. Permitted Animal Interactions Under Welfare-Controlled Standards

Journey Morocco offers certain animal experiences that are culturally rooted in Morocco and conducted responsibly. These experiences are permitted only when all welfare standards below are met.

2.1 | Horseback Experiences

Permitted experiences include:

• Beach horseback rides

• Countryside or desert horseback excursions

Requirements:

• Horses must be in good physical condition, free from visible injury, lameness, or distress

• Saddles and tack must be properly fitted and padded

• Load limits must not exceed 20% of the animal’s body weight

• Double-riding is prohibited

• Horses must have access to water, rest, and shade before and after rides

• No use during peak heat hours (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) in summer conditions

Any evidence of overworking, dehydration, physical punishment, or neglect results in immediate termination of the operator relationship.

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2.2 | Camel (Dromedary) Experiences

Permitted experiences include:

• Camel rides

• Camel-led desert travel

Requirements:

• Camels must be healthy, hydrated, and properly rested

• Saddles and equipment must be well-fitted and non-abrasive

• Load limits must not exceed 20% of body weight

• Double-loading is prohibited

• No use during peak heat hours

• Adequate access to water and rest is mandatory

Any evidence of overworking, dehydration, physical punishment, or neglect results in immediate termination of the operator relationship.

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2.3 | Snake Handling and Traditional Performance Contexts

Journey Morocco does not categorically prohibit snake-handling traditions, recognising their cultural presence in Morocco. However, such interactions are permitted only under strict welfare conditions.

Journey Morocco will only bring guests to handlers who demonstrably meet humane standards, including:

• Snakes are not de-fanged, mutilated, restrained, or starved

• Animals are not forced to perform for prolonged periods

• Adequate shelter, rest, and care are provided

• Handling practices do not involve physical harm or distress

Handlers are vetted directly by Journey Morocco. Guest interaction is observational unless expressly approved by the guide under controlled conditions. Any handler failing to meet these standards is excluded without exception.

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2.4 | Barbary Macaque Encounters

Journey Morocco facilitates encounters with Barbary macaques only in established habitats where human interaction is already normalized, such as forested areas near Ifrane.

Standards:

• Viewing occurs in open, natural environments

• No restraint, confinement, or forced proximity

• Animals must be free to disengage at all times

• Feeding, where permitted by local conservation guidance, is limited, supervised, and restricted to appropriate food (e.g., fruit)

• Guests are briefed on respectful behaviour prior to arrival

Physical contact is not encouraged. Any signs of animal stress, aggression, or overcrowding require immediate disengagement.

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2.5 | Falconry, Bird Handling & Avian Encounters

Journey Morocco recognises the deep historical and cultural significance of falconry traditions within Morocco and the wider region. Certain bird-related experiences may be offered only where animal welfare standards, humane handling, and ethical care practices are demonstrably upheld.

Permitted experiences may include:

• Educational falconry demonstrations by trained and licensed handlers
  
  
• Bird handling under professional supervision
  
  
• Ethical bird photography experiences
  
  
• Specialist ornithology and birdwatching excursions

Requirements:

• Birds must be maintained in good physical health and free from visible injury, distress, or neglect
  
  
• Handling must be conducted exclusively by trained professionals
  
  
• Birds must never be sedated, physically altered, starved, or intentionally distressed for guest interaction
  
  
• Tethering duration must be minimised and used only where necessary for animal safety and handler control
  
  
• Guests may participate in handling only under direct supervision and where the bird demonstrates calm, voluntary behaviour
  
  
• Forced posing, excessive photography sessions, or repeated guest handling are prohibited
  
  
• Wild birds may never be captured or removed from their natural habitat for tourism purposes

Journey Morocco does not support exploitative bird tourism or any operation prioritising spectacle over animal welfare.

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3. Prohibited Animal Exploitation Practices

The following activities are strictly prohibited under all circumstances:

• Cub-petting or handling of juvenile wild animals

• “Walking with” or posing with wild animals

• Wildlife selfie operations involving restraint, sedation, or coercion

• Facilities that breed or confine wild animals for tourist interaction

• Roadside staging of animals for photographs, including goats forced into argan trees

• Any animal interaction involving physical punishment, mutilation, starvation, or denial of water

These practices are incompatible with humane tourism and are not offered or facilitated by Journey Morocco.

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4. Guide Authority and Guest Management

Journey Morocco guides are fully authorized to:

• Refuse guest requests that compromise animal welfare

• Modify, shorten, or terminate animal experiences if welfare standards are breached

• Remove guests from situations that pose risk to animals or people

Guest compliance with guide instruction is mandatory. Animal welfare overrides guest preference without exception.

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5. Governance and Oversight

Journey Morocco appoints an Independent Ethics, Welfare & Compliance Officer with authority to:

• Approve, suspend, or terminate animal-related partnerships

• Conduct audits and site inspections

• Override itinerary components that violate this policy

• Escalate violations directly to executive leadership

This role operates independently of sales and commercial operations.

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6. Enforcement and Sanctions

Violations of this policy result in immediate enforcement action, including:

• Suspension of activities

• Mandatory remediation where appropriate

• Permanent blacklisting for violations

There are no probationary periods for animal abuse or neglect.

All partners acknowledge this policy as a binding contractual appendix.

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7. Training and Certification

All staff and relevant partners must complete annual animal-welfare training, including:

• Load-bearing and heat-management standards

• Humane handling and observation protocols

• Incident identification and escalation procedures

No individual may operate on behalf of Journey Morocco without current certification.

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8. Transparency and Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in applicable law, regulatory guidance, and internationally recognised animal-welfare standards.