Kenyans account for 12 per cent of abuse meted on animals by taking selfies with those in the wild, research shows.
The study by World Animal Protection noted the pictures are usually shared on Instagram.
This trend that is viewed as 'cool' "is degrading the welfare of giraffes and elephants, which are the most common animals that Kenyans take selfies with", WAP communication manager Lucy Wanjiku told The Star on Monday.
"What we are saying is that if you touch an animal or feed it for the sake of taking a picture with them, then that is a negative selfie. Animals should be allowed to be in their own element."
Taking selfies with animals is one of the common forms of abuse on wildlife tourism where tourists, with the help of tour operators, capture and share the images.
This is seen as
exploiting the wild animals as photo props.
"What people do not know is the cruelty those animals have gone through to be able to take such pictures," Wanjiku said.
In a bid to address the abuse,
the organisation has launched an online petition to compel Instagram to ban selfies with animals.
Instagram is most commonly used to share the pictures.
Among emerging trends of abuse to wild animals include transporting them in poor conditions and using them for social events such as bullfighting and lobbying.
Others are caging
birds and housing exotic animals such as snakes.
This has forced WAP to call for the amendment to the Prevention Against Cruelty Act. The Act drafted in 1962 has loopholes where the protection of animals is concerned.
The amendments will look into animals in disasters, farming and entertainment.
"We
need to note that the provisions of the Act are very old. The cruelty that happened back then cannot be compared to the cruelty happening now. The penalties will also be increased," Wanjiku said.