Civet Cats Are Suffering—Tripadvisor Must Act

All over the world, tourists take part in activities that involve animals—sometimes as a way to interact with wild or unusual animals they may not have the chance to encounter at home, and sometimes by participating in excursions that feature animals or animal products marketed as “unique,” “authentic,” “exotic,” or “culturally significant.” Unfortunately, what nearly all of these so-called cultural experiences involving animals have in common is cruelty. Animals used as commodities are inevitably abused and exploited for profit.

One dark industry that hides its foundation of animal cruelty from unsuspecting tourists is civet coffee. Also known as kopi luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee is a popular attraction for tourists in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Vietnam, and is especially common on Bali tourism itineraries. The coffee, which is considered a delicacy, is made from beans that have been partially digested and excreted by civet cats—small, shy, nocturnal mammals that resemble raccoons and are related to mongooses.

Before civet coffee was viewed as a luxury item, wild civets would roam freely through coffee plantations, eating ripe coffee cherries. Unable to digest the beans inside, they would excrete them whole, and farm workers would collect, clean, and process the beans to make kopi luwak.

But once the trend took off, civet cats began being captured from the wild to supply coffee producers. These animals are kept in horrific conditions, confined to tiny wire cages, deprived of stimulation, and fed nothing but coffee cherries, which would make up only a small portion of a civet’s natural diet. This leads to severe malnutrition, painful health issues such as organ failure, weakened immune systems, and extreme lethargy. Many civets also develop gastrointestinal problems, including bloating, diarrhea, and ulcers, due to the unnatural, coffee-heavy diet. Investigations into civet coffee farms have exposed widespread suffering with many civets driven to self mutilation in captivity often chewing their own tails down to raw nubs out of boredom and stress. Still, tourists continue to visit these farms and buy coffee produced with the suffering of innocent animals, for as much as $35 to $80 per cup.

Coffee connoisseurs claim that civet coffee is superior because enzymes in the civet’s digestive system break down proteins in the beans, resulting in a smoother, less bitter cup. But there is no need for animal exploitation: synthetic methods now exist that replicate this process without using civets at all.

Although some kopi luwak is still sourced from wild civets, there is no reliable way to verify its origin—and coffee made using caged civets is far more common. This means that tourists who purchase or sample civet coffee while traveling in Southeast Asia are likely, and often unknowingly, supporting the abuse of these small, defenseless animals who have been trapped and imprisoned by this cruel industry.

Many travel platforms, including Airbnb, Viator, and Tripadvisor, have stopped selling civet coffee tours in response to growing awareness of the cruelty behind the trade. Tripadvisor has also introduced animal welfare warnings for certain wildlife attractions and no longer sells tickets to those it flags. However, when it comes to civet coffee farms, their response has been inconsistent and insufficient.

Adding a warning label is not enough while continuing to host reviews and listings that help tourists find and access these exploitative attractions.

If Tripadvisor truly cares about animal welfare, it should take meaningful action by removing all posts, reviews, and listings related to civet coffee farms. Continuing to host information about these facilities enables and legitimizes animal cruelty by increasing their visibility to millions of travelers—making Tripadvisor complicit in the suffering of countless civets.

Take Action Now

Tripadvisor has the power to make a real and lasting difference for the animals captured and abused in this industry. Please join Species Unite in urging Tripadvisor to stop promoting cruel civet coffee.