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Introduction
The SAVE THE FROGS! Ecotours Code Of Conduct helps ensure that ecotour participants treat each other, the people we meet, and local nature and wildlife, with respect. Please read through this Code Of Conduct and let us know if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.
Treat Other Ecotourists With Respect
While most SAVE THE FROGS! Ecotourists have plenty in common, we all come from different backgrounds and have differing views, habits, needs, etc. We will be spending a lot of time together, so respect and be aware of those around you.
Respect The Instructions Of Your Tour Leaders And Guides
Please abide by the instructions of your trip leaders and guides, even if it means having to refrain from some adventure you hoped to partake in. We will be in remote locations with many potential hazards; while we strive to ensure both your safety and continual happiness, our top priority is your safety and we will make decisions accordingly.
Treat Hospitality Staff With Respect
We may be returning to our ecotour locations for years to come and wish to maintain our excellent reputation in the communities we visit. You can make someone’s day just by being friendly, even if the service happens to be less than you hoped for.
Respect Your Roommate
Treat your roommate with extra respect and communicate clearly with them about any issues. Respect their need for privacy, cleanliness, quiet time, bathroom usage, etc…
Non-Violence
Do not threaten, hurt or knowingly make anyone uncomfortable.
Laguna Quilotoa, Ecuadorian Andes
Capturing & Collecting Animals
No collecting of animals for scientific or other purposes is allowed. Capturing and handling of animals should be minimized or avoided altogether.
Photography
- We request you not pose, stage or capture any animals for photography (or other) purposes.
- Flash photography should be limited to reduce stress on the amphibians and other animals we encounter. You can tell when an amphibian is tired of your photography because its posture changes and it closes its eyelids much of the way shut.
- Be aware of other ecotourists’ desire to photograph the amphibian you may be photographing. Get a great photo, but ideally not at the expense of someone else who may want to snap a shot as well.
- If someone else is photographing an animal, be aware that they may or may not want your light shining on the animal.
Snakes
Before we tell you our rules for the SAVE THE FROGS! Malaysia Ecotours, please read what the rules were on our past tours (and likely will be on future tours as well):
- No handling of snakes is permitted at any time.
- No capturing of snakes is permitted at any time. This applies equally to tour leaders, guides and participants!
- Regardless of whether your guide tells you the snake is venomous or not, we will be in extremely remote locations and would like to maintain our record of zero deaths on SAVE THE FROGS! Ecotours. Plus, the snake really doesn’t want to be captured.
- Snake safety:
- Wear covered shoes – not sandals (this helps deter ants as well). Tall rubber boots are even better.
- Watch where you walk
- Be very careful if you stick your hand into a bush or hole
Now that you understand our concern regarding snakes, here are the rules for the SAVE THE FROGS! Malaysia Ecotours, given that two of our local guides have extensive experience with Malaysian snakes:
(1) Ecotourists are not permitted to catch snakes under any circumstances.
(2) Ecotourists are not permitted to handle any venomous snakes.
(3) Ecotourists are permitted to handle docile, non-venomous snake species under direct supervision of our guides Steven or Marcus.
(4) The safe distance for photographing kraits and blue coral snakes is 2 meters; for vipers and non-venomous snakes it is 1 meter. Always stay behind Steven’s snake hook, which he will use to signal “do not cross this line”.
Photo from Borneo courtesy of David Dennis
Scorpions
- No handling of scorpions is permitted at any time.
- Empty your shoes and boots prior to putting them on to ensure no scorpions or other critters are inside.
Ants & Thorns
- Only put your hands where you’ve already put your eyes…beware of ants on trees and very sharp thorns.
Thought SAVE THE FROGS! Ecotours were only for frog lovers? We will see lots of birds as well!
Abide By Local Laws
Follow the laws of the country you are in.
Alcohol
Looking for frogs at night is not the world’s safest activity. As such, drinking and frogging really don’t mix. We request that you not get anywhere remotely close to drunk prior to frogging. If you do feel the need for a dinnertime alcoholic beverage, we strongly suggest limiting it to one drink. Post-frogging, feel free to let loose at the bar.
Smoking
If you smoke, please maintain significant distance from any non-smokers while smoking. Note that non-smokers can be highly sensitive to smoke and can smell it from afar. If you have a roommate who does not smoke, assume they will smell your smoke in the room and not be pleased by it (and act accordingly).
Be On Time
Do your best to be on time. If you are late, you may delay the entire group. We do our best to give ample time and notice to ensure you have time to prepare. Note that occasionally our departure times are non-negotiable and if you are late you may find yourself left behind.
Souvenirs
You can buy local products to help improve the lives of local people, but please do not buy wildlife products such as fur, feathers, shells or leather.
A cloud forest stream in Savegre that we hiked along during the 2021 SAVE THE FROGS! Costa Rica Ecotour.
On The Trail
- Try to keep the bright light of your headlamp out of other people’s faces.
- Give a bit of space on the trail so that the person in front of you doesn’t feel like you are right on their heels.
- Don’t lose sight of the group! Get that photo, but be aware of where everyone else is so you don’t get lost.
We Will Be In Slippery Places
- If it’s wet or covered in algae, assume it is slippery.
- Rocks at streams are especially slippery.
- Never step on TOP of a rock if you can avoid it. It’s better to be lower down or in the water.
- If you must be high on a rock, you can lower your center of gravity, know where your next step will be (lest the rock tips over) and/or use your hands.
Diving
Ensure sufficient depth prior to jumping into water and especially before diving. Or better yet, don’t dive at all, as emergency rescues for broken necks don’t make for enjoyable ecotours.
Know Your Limits
Listen to your body and feel free to skip an activity if you feel like resting.
Voice Your Concerns
If you have any problems, concerns or suggestions, please talk to your tour leader(s) so that we can resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Don’t wait until after the tour to tell us about a problem.
Enjoy Your Ecotour!
SAVE THE FROGS! Ecotours are crafted to ensure an amazing, unique and thoroughly unforgettable experience that offers the best in travel, wildlife, culture and education. We look forward to a fabulous adventure with you!
We’re not monkeying around when we say that we hope to be frogging with you on a SAVE THE FROGS! Ecotour very soon! Photo from SAVE THE FROGS! Ecuador Ecotour by George Quiroga.
Entremont Gorge, Linguerre de Cinca, Huesca, Spain
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