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Unquestioning showers of likes and faves and hearts and RTs of wildlife photos and videos is encouraging highly unethical photographers. PLEASE look carefully and think and ask questions before you amplify this content.
Nest photography is NOT okay. It is with good reason that many of the best wildlife photographers don’t shoot nests. Unethical photographers have been known even to plug hole nests of birds in order to a get a shot of the parent bird hovering in front of it. Please ask questions!
If the animal or bird looks scared, and the photographer continues to approach it, this is NOT OKAY. See this for example https://twitter.com/worldbirds32/status/1285308803760771074?s=21 The owl is not puffing itself up for the camera but to warn the person off. But they walk right up to the bird! Totally CONDEMNABLE! https://twitter.com/worldbirds32/status/1285308803760771074
Driving around to take photos can also also problematic. Off-roading, driving on lake and river beds, etc is hugely destructive of natural habitats. Please question photographers who show off their vehicles covered in mud or parked by a river.
It can be difficult for the untrained viewer to tell if a photo has been shot ethically. But shots where you can see birds/animals being fed, should be questioned. Biologists have yelled themselves hoarse saying feeding is harmful, but it is a widely used way to bait subjects.
Drone photography is totally unregulated in India. Often in drone pics you can see herds clustering together, or animals running—both are possible signs of agitation. Drones can go where we can’t, but that doesn’t mean they should! Ask questions if the animals don’t seem at ease.
Photos of animals (especially elephants) charging or any kind of threat behaviour. A clear sign that the person was too close. It is possible to be charged even when you are at a good distance, but often the animal has been provoked to make the photo. Do not encourage this.
