Why We Don't Support Wildlife Cafes in Asia

At Scott Dunn, we believe travel should broaden horizons and create positive change. That's why we want to address a growing trend across Asia that many of our guests encounter: wildlife cafes. From owl cafes in Tokyo to the emerging lion cafes in Thailand, these venues might seem like harmless fun, but the reality is far more complex – and troubling. 

Wildlife cafes have exploded in popularity across Asia over the past decade. What started with cat cafes has evolved into establishments featuring owls, meerkats, raccoons, foxes, capybaras and most recently, lion cubs. Thailand has seen a particular surge in these businesses, with lion cafes now appearing in Bangkok and other tourist areas, often marketed as "educational experiences" where visitors can drink coffee while interacting with young big cats. 

Very sadly, behind the Instagram-worthy moments lies a web of welfare concerns that research has consistently exposed. 

The Science Behind the Suffering 

A 2019 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science examined wildlife in cafe settings across Japan and Thailand, finding elevated cortisol levels (a stress hormone) in 89% of animals tested, indicating chronic psychological distress. The constant exposure to crowds, noise, and handling triggers persistent fight-or-flight responses that these animals cannot escape. Research by the Animal Welfare Institute has documented severe behavioural abnormalities in cafe animals, including repetitive movements, self-harm, and complete withdrawal, while many wildlife cafe animals are naturally nocturnal yet are kept active during busy daytime cafe hours, causing immune system suppression and shortened lifespans. 

Thailand's emerging lion cafes present particularly devastating concerns. Lion cubs are typically removed from their mothers at 2-4 weeks old to ensure human bonding, despite natural weaning occurring at 6-7 months – a separation that research published in Zoo Biology shows causes permanent psychological damage. A 2022 study by Chulalongkorn University highlighted serious zoonotic disease risks, documenting bacterial and parasitic infections that can transmit from big cats to humans through direct contact. Perhaps most troubling, investigations by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand revealed that many cubs are discarded or sold to other facilities once they become too large for cafe use, typically by 6-8 months of age. These animals are then bound to a life in tiny confines or sold into the black market for their body parts. 

Research consistently shows that wildlife cafes house animals in spaces far too small for their natural requirements, with cafe animals having access to less than 2% of the territory their wild counterparts would roam. Unlike domestic animals bred for human companionship, wild species have natural fear responses to humans and suppressing these through handling or psychological conditioning causes measurable welfare problems. Investigations have also revealed that many cafe animals come from commercial breeding operations with appalling conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and high mortality rates. 

The Conservation Myth 

Many wildlife cafes market themselves as conservation or education centres, but research tells a different story. A comprehensive study by Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit found that commercial wildlife interactions like cafes contribute nothing to wild population conservation and may actually harm conservation efforts by normalising wild animal exploitation. These facilities teach visitors incorrect information about animal behaviour and needs, as the animals display stress responses rather than natural behaviours. And economic analysis demonstrates that wildlife cafes increase demand for exotic pets by making wild animal ownership seem normal and desirable. 

Perhaps most troubling is what research reveals about the lifecycle of cafe animals. When animals outgrow their usefulness, investigations across multiple countries have documented that they're often sold to private collectors, other exploitation facilities, or simply abandoned. Animals raised in cafe environments cannot be returned to the wild due to habituation to humans and lack of natural behaviours, creating a cycle where animals bred for entertainment face lifelong captivity in progressively worse conditions. 

A Better Way to Connect with Wildlife 

We completely understand the desire to connect with incredible Asian wildlife – the region's biodiversity is among the world's most spectacular. But we believe the most meaningful encounters happen when animals remain in appropriate environments. Whether it's joining researchers studying wild populations in their natural habitats, visiting legitimate rescue centres that prioritise observation-only experiences, or spotting wildlife in natural settings from orangutans in Borneo to snow leopards in the Himalayas, these experiences truly support local conservation while providing genuine insights into animal behaviour. 

Asia also offers incredible cultural experiences from traditional tea ceremonies to cooking classes that provide meaningful connection without animal exploitation. These authentic experiences offer far richer insights into local life and natural heritage than any wildlife cafe could provide. 

Making Informed Choices 

The research is clear: wildlife cafes cause measurable suffering to the animals involved, provide no conservation benefit, and often mislead visitors about wildlife needs and behaviours. When we choose these experiences, we're inadvertently supporting an industry that prioritises profit over animal welfare. 

Every choice we make as travellers sends a message about what we value. By avoiding wildlife cafes and choosing ethical alternatives, you're reducing demand for exploitative wildlife tourism, supporting genuine conservation efforts, and encouraging the development of sustainable, animal-friendly tourism.  

Sources: Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2019), Animal Welfare Institute Studies (2018-2022), Chulalongkorn University Public Health Research (2022), Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (2020), Zoo Biology Journal (2021)