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Although photography has many benefits towards conservation, it can have slight negative effects as well.

With the rise of social media, more untraveled areas of this world can be seen. In addition, more species are

exposed to human interactions. The most famous pictures of Machu Picchu have spread amongst indefinite

amounts of people, leading to at least one million visits yearly. This type of tourist attraction has lead to

destruction of the surrounding environment, frightening away endemic species and resulting in numerous

pounds of trash per day. This may benefit the economy and give money to the conservation efforts, but it

almost seems out of balance with the negative effects.

Another example is that of the elephants in Thailand. Everyone sees images of adorable elephants interacting

with people and pay thousands of dollars to travel for the experience. The money may go to keeping the

elephants feed and the villages thriving, but no one tends to think about the effects on the elephants. Illegal

capture and trade in the tourism industry is a huge problem. Many of these elephants are endangered with as

many as 2000 elephants left in the wild in Thailand. They are captured and beaten into submission to be

tamed, which is a terrible feat. Baby elephants are ripped away from their mothers and secluded in a small

cage until their spirits are broken, known as Phajaan, “the crush.” Not only are they beaten, but pierced with

sharp hooks, starved, and sleep deprived. This process is engraved into their memories and they are afraid for

the rest of their lives.

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