Wildlife in the age of likes

From selfie tourism to viral trends, digital pressure on wildlife is getting alarming

- VAISHALI DAR

NA RECENT move, several major national parks in India have introduced a ban on phones during safari drives.

The Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand do not allow phones during safari drives, following the Supreme Court of India's broader guidelines announced in November 2025.

This is to check trends like 'wildlife selfie tourism’, where tourists take photos with wild animals for social media, often causing significant harm, stress, and injury to the animals. This not only poses risks to human safety, but this practice frequently involves unethical treatment, such as capturing animals, keeping them in poor conditions, or using them as props, prompting campaigns for responsible, distant viewing.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook or TikTok are filled with breathtaking photos of exotic animals, rare birds, and pristine habitats. These images can inspire awe and encourage people to care about conservation. However, beneath this curated beauty lies a growing problem: wildlife is being commodified for content.