Success: Instagram to Ban Wildlife Selfies

Target: Kevin Systrom, CEO and Founder of Instagram

Goal: Praise Instagram for banning selfies with wild animals.

Instagram is finally cracking down on users who post selfies taken with wild animals via the following warning: “You are searching for a hashtag that may be associated with posts that encourage harmful behavior to animals or to the environment.” Said warning also includes a link to information about wildlife exploitation.

This is excellent news, exactly what we have been waiting to hear from one of the biggest social media platforms on the internet. Wildlife selfies have been a growing epidemic as of late, leading to the harm and even deaths of the animals involved; most notable is the case of the baby dolphin who died as tourists passed it around for photos. Petitions such as this one on ForceChange have been circulated to demand the government, the police, and social media help put a stop to this trend.

While Instagram has not directly put a stop to the problem itself, they have taken a big step in the right direction that will hopefully discourage people from taking those selfies in the first place. Sign this petition to thank Instagram for doing the right thing at last.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Systrom,

Thank you for finally banning and warning against wildlife selfies. The growing, disturbing trend of exploiting wildlife for the sake of social media views has endangered and even claimed the lives of many innocent animals, with protesters petitioning the government and social media to put a stop to it. Your new policy is exactly what we have been hoping for.

Wild animals are especially vulnerable in this day and age, due to human carelessness or selfishness and environmental factors. While there is so little we can do at a time for the latter, there is a great deal we can do about the former. Your ban may not actively stop people from taking selfies, but your refusal to enable such behavior is commendable and will hopefully discourage such photos in the future. Thank you for putting the needs of wildlife first.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: ja-moutinho