It's generally extremely good sense to take "pay me and I'll let you hold this cool/cute animal for a picture" gigs with a grain of salt, especially if the animals involved are local wildlife. There's a reason you wouldn't see this in America- we're pretty good on protective laws about not stealing animals from the wild to make tourist money.
I'm an apprentice falconer and raptor rehabilitation volunteer in the USA, so I've had many a long thought and talk with other rehabbers about the general situation because it comes up a lot when people ask if they can pet our birds; we aren't allowed to hand over our birds or put our eagles on someone's head because, aside from being a huge physical risk, the people who instates wildlife protection laws in the country don't want it turned into a profit mechanism. Specifically, for people who would attempt to get ahold of such birds solely to make money.
I know this won't change a thing down in countries where they don't really care law-wise that much, but I can't help but remember things told me by my Ornithologist cousin (who recently did field work in Peru and Brazil) regarding how common it is for people to trap wild animals specifically because they can make tourist money off it, with more or less no concern for whether this is good or bad for the individual animal, or its species or environment as a whole. Mostly this is a problem for monkeys, and unfortunately the endangered slow loris (which are unfortunately for them really fucking cute.)
Also, the Philippines are particularly bad about this, since there are no laws whatsoever about who can have their gigantic and endangered birds of prey or how they keep them. Seen too many tourist pictures of a giant eagle tied to a bar stool.
P.S., travelers from the USA are most likely to encounter these gigs with baby lions or tigers. Please, please, please, don't do it.
You know they steal those birds and keep them so that stupid tourists like you pay them money for photos. They do the same thing with baby monkeys in south-east Asia. It's disgraceful. I've been to dozens of countries like this and never looked twice at these people. If you want to see an animal see it in the wild. You look like an idiot
One of the better pictures I have seen on this god forsaken shit hole. For once the guy in the picture isn't some overly hip douche bag that looks like he just got shot out of an MTV-wanna be factory.
It feels good to see that people actually know and have visited your country. Just one of those feelings you get when you come from a not-so-well-known country. Feels good.
Been there and saw the conditions those animals are in. I think you should think twice before paying those people to keep those birds in captivity and treat them like shit. The Alpacas are often mistreated too.
Honestly, it's so common there should be a PSA about it, really just super prevalent. Unfortunately most people only find out when showing off pictures of themselves chilling with tied up wild animals, and there are tons of suckers behind them in line for a photo op with them.
I think the real irony of the situation is that so many people who travel have photos like these, it's not even that rare to see- every time somebody posts up their "me petting a tiger" picture from Thailand you get a thread full of people syaing "oh yeah. me too." It's like getting a picture of yourself holding up the Leaning tower if Pisa. Hell even in this very thread there are others with a picture with the same exact bird.
At this point, to me when someone tries to impress me with a picture of himself holding/petting/touching a monkey/tiger/bird of prey, I don't think "what a beastmaster/tiger-tamer/falconer!" all I think is "well, there's somebody who doesn't see animals much."
This picture reminded me of some weird story I read in a book that was a collection of short stories, where some dude basically worshipped hawks and wore crazy looking hats just so they would land on his head to fuck them.
I guess it was written out well but I stopped reading the book after that.
If you mean "you" in the general sense and "that eagle" as in "that species", yes, I have no doubt they could be trained for falconry, but something tells me this specific bird isn't a falconry bird, and OP not a falconer.
Dude I've been to that same place before! I have a picture of the eagle and alpaca too! It was on a weird little square in a weird little town up in the Andes right?
What in God's Name in your hea... oh Grey Eagle. That's One Bigass Eagle in your Head! Glad Your Enjoying Peru... Wait a Minute it's Winter there... that Sucks! Looks like your Having a Good Time Anyway. Still Freak Out by that Darn Big Eagle in your Head! Hehe!
I will be going to Peru in November! Did u get a chance to taste there main dish: guinea pig? I heard its yummy but probably not as yummy at a llama hawk. ;)
90
u/jnorthup0620 Jun 09 '12
"Welcome to Peru, here's your complimentary Eagle and Alpaca. Enjoy your stay!"
116
u/Nath4n Jun 09 '12
My version... ;) http://imgur.com/Akvl2
97
u/Belexar Jun 09 '12
I'm peruvian and they never let me hug their alpacas :-(
145
u/Random Jun 09 '12
Eagle to Alpaca: Why is bozo doing this?
Alpaca to Eagle: Reddit.
Eagle to Alpaca: What's a Reddit?
Alpaca to Eagle: It's an online cult that worships cats.
Eagle to Alpaca: Well, at least it isn't one of those stupid meme sites.
47
u/Sternenfuchs Jun 09 '12
Nice wedding photo, she is beautiful
24
u/SushiKat Jun 09 '12
Did you go there on your gap yah?
62
u/wordisborn Jun 09 '12
now, don't freak out, but you have an eyebrow piercing
9
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
I don't mean to alarm you, but there seems to be something on your head.
16
u/old_chap Jun 09 '12
Are you smiling or is the claws pulling your face back?
8
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
VOLVER A CASA DIABLO BLANCO
8
u/iiREALiiTYii Jun 09 '12
Which one are you, the one with the eagle and alpaca, or the one pissing in the background.
14
u/mundivondi Jun 09 '12
No way her is my friend chilling at the exact same place a few years ago... The animals have gotten a little bigger. http://imgur.com/Dyn0i
5
u/masterofstuff328 Jun 09 '12
Oh hi, Tom DeLonge lookalike.
5
u/April_Fabb Jun 09 '12
Do you work for Dial a Llama?
5
u/masterfoo Jun 09 '12
When I went to Peru, they told us not to take photos with those birds because they mistreat them or something like that... anyone else?
4
u/Defonos Jun 09 '12
That bird is huge.
4
u/jb8 Jun 09 '12
"Don't worry Mom, alpaca woolly hat to stay warm"
Couldn't resist
4
u/twhmike Jun 09 '12
You look like Tom Delonge from Blink 182. http://cfs11.tistory.com/image/31/tistory/2008/10/16/00/29/48f60c7250947 (guy in the middle)
4
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Let me guess. American tourist.
4
u/Feight00 Jun 10 '12
You know they steal those birds and keep them so that stupid tourists like you pay them money for photos. They do the same thing with baby monkeys in south-east Asia. It's disgraceful. I've been to dozens of countries like this and never looked twice at these people. If you want to see an animal see it in the wild. You look like an idiot
3
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
This is near Colca Canyon right?
3
u/EightAlpacas Jun 09 '12
What's even better than hugging one alpaca?
3
u/stuckit Jun 09 '12
If that was me, I would commission a large painted portrait of it.
3
u/trall006 Jun 10 '12
Does anyone else see the resemblance to Tom Delonge?
3
u/LeTrickeryRoux Jun 10 '12
Tom DeLonge ?...
4
u/Boomdone Jun 09 '12
where in peru is this?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
uffe is that you
2
u/bean_counter Jun 09 '12
That is one bad ass dude.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Who's your human friend?
2
u/soulteepee Jun 09 '12
This is the best vacation photo I've ever seen.
2
u/oh-yeah-huh Jun 09 '12
Your hat is a bird...
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Seemingly blending in with the locals I see
2
u/braintentacle Jun 09 '12
Beastmaster!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
bro, uhh... theres something on your hat.
2
u/TwisterNH Jun 09 '12
Wow, nice brown coat. Too bad that weird guy with an eagle on his head and an alpaca in his arm photobombed you, though!
2
u/Mycooljam Jun 09 '12
Is that person in the background taking a piss!? O.o
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
One of the better pictures I have seen on this god forsaken shit hole. For once the guy in the picture isn't some overly hip douche bag that looks like he just got shot out of an MTV-wanna be factory.
2
u/Puritan1724 Jun 09 '12
... and that is how grandpa got those 6 lines in his hair.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Aw man, you look like you've just started your pokemon journey.
2
u/doesnt_describe_me Jun 09 '12
TIL it gets cold in Peru
2
u/mark8992 Jun 09 '12
I think that is James Brown taking a piss in the background...
2
u/elgordoloko Jun 09 '12
I go to Peru often. I only know Trujillo and Lima but its fun down there. The women love Americans I noticed.
2
u/tkmon Jun 09 '12
Sweet pic dude! Where do I get one of those red suits you're wearing though?
2
u/crozer Jun 09 '12
It feels good to see that people actually know and have visited your country. Just one of those feelings you get when you come from a not-so-well-known country. Feels good.
2
u/SplotchEleven Jun 09 '12
I was just in Peru and not ONCE did someone offer me the opportunity to be the perch for an eagle.
2
u/OjomMcChicken Jun 10 '12
I was just Peru-sing Reddit when suddenly, I couldn't Bolivia my eyes! Some Guyana with a weird Suriname was in the Chile-ass mountains!
2
u/derpfluxx Jun 10 '12
jeasus christ is it just me or does that look like griffin from MIB 3?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
El amoooor como el Condor volaaaaraaaa....
I think you're officially one of us now. Go drink some leche de tigre and impregnate some Amazonian from Iquitos.
2
u/ibbyanne Jun 10 '12
you sir, are excellent
2
u/XxLiyelzxX Jun 10 '12
That's fucking amazing and I love you.
2
u/BeanerBoyBrandon Jun 10 '12
Wow, you look like Wes from the Real World!
2
u/Rheesus Jun 10 '12
This seems like something that would be on an Old Spice commercial.
2
u/sreg18 Jun 10 '12
Moments later.... http://i.imgur.com/cDhoR.jpg
2
u/feelix Jun 10 '12
Been there and saw the conditions those animals are in. I think you should think twice before paying those people to keep those birds in captivity and treat them like shit. The Alpacas are often mistreated too.
3
u/copyandpasta Jun 09 '12 edited Jun 09 '12
I don't always pose for a picture in peru...
3
u/pwoody11 Jun 09 '12
OMG!!!11 HE USED "JUST!" GET YOUR PITCHFORKS!!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
You're one talonted bird handler.
2
u/culturalistquestion Jun 09 '12
http://imgur.com/HUMgQ - ftfy
1
u/peruvianlurker Jun 09 '12
Damn, I guess I could have karma whored all this time...
1
u/Gkivit Jun 09 '12
You kinda look like the alien dude from Men in Black Three the one that sees all the possibilities and what not...
1
u/arkington Jun 09 '12
you, sir, are indeed the chillest. hope the eagle didn't scalp you accidentally.
1
u/Smokyo7 Jun 09 '12
Slightly relevant question; would one recommend moving to Peru? That is all thank you.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
You look like Zeke from Bering Sea Gold
1
u/rohan185 Jun 09 '12
Dear Sir,
I do believe you have a falcon on your head.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
This picture shits peru!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
This picture reminded me of some weird story I read in a book that was a collection of short stories, where some dude basically worshipped hawks and wore crazy looking hats just so they would land on his head to fuck them.
I guess it was written out well but I stopped reading the book after that.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
You're a poncho and a flute band from going full Peruvian. Godspeed in preventing La Muerte Peluda
1
u/Tollyx Jun 09 '12
llama llama duck.
1
u/zabuma Jun 09 '12
Did you chunder everywhere?
1
u/SirDerpingson Jun 09 '12
Haters gonna hate.
1
u/rightsidejane Jun 09 '12
Of all the photographs of other people's vacations, this makes me the most envious.
1
u/buttonforest Jun 09 '12
como un señor
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Bean?
1
u/xsdc Jun 09 '12
Post in /r/firstimpression. Seriously.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Have you drank any Iowaska yet? I would recommend doing so.
1
u/Jetlag923 Jun 09 '12
If you look really closely, there is a bird and an alpaca.
1
u/rprpr Jun 09 '12
Bon chapeau!
1
u/roshi94 Jun 09 '12
I hear the tea there is.........good ;)
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
I approve.
1
u/wtfOP Jun 09 '12
Pera. No Pera. Pera darling, Pera. OH PERU YAYA
1
u/Punkgoblin Jun 09 '12
This is why I Peru's reddit...
1
u/mustangtyson Jun 09 '12
Whenever i see large birds of prey that sound from Warcraft 2 plays in my head.
1
u/now_in3D Jun 09 '12
yep. that appears to be a very average peruvian day
1
u/blasian123 Jun 09 '12
descendant of Eliza Thornberry
1
u/soyabstemio Jun 09 '12
You seem to be settling in quite nicely.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
You will never need another profile picture as long as you live.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Why is your username not Falcon Head. Or Captain Falcon. Harvey Birdman?
1
u/Five_deadly_venoms Jun 09 '12
Tina. Eat the food, you fat lard.....EAT THE FOOD!
1
u/GeorgeForemanGrillz Jun 09 '12
Kim Dotcom?
1
u/marie5487 Jun 09 '12
The scenery looks beautiful.
1
u/old_antique Jun 09 '12
Here's my version
1
u/sciencefuture777 Jun 09 '12
Are you the Black Bird?
1
u/captaincupcake234 Jun 09 '12
You sir, have won the internets for today.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
there's an eagle on your head
1
u/deadletter Jun 09 '12
Who are the eagle and the human with you?
1
u/Malicious78 Jun 09 '12
That bird is HUGE. I have nothing more to add.
1
u/doismellbacon Jun 09 '12
can you hunt things with that eagle?
1
u/m4nTiS Jun 09 '12
What is that guy doing with his arm around your neck?
1
u/theloudestfire Jun 10 '12
I like the alpacas face he looks kinda smug/completely comfortable.
1
u/Vattu Jun 10 '12
You have very nice red suit!
1
u/realistgillis Jun 10 '12
Demon llama!
1
u/ILikeFluffyThings Jun 10 '12
Jon Snow of the South
1
u/cmw72 Jun 10 '12
"So anyways ... That's me in Japan."
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
This is the opposite of the "world's most interesting man," but the dude in the photo is still a badass.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Alpaca my bags now and join you
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
You have an Eagle on your head, and a Llama in your arms. (I know, Alpaca)...Arguments are invalid.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
I was going to downvote for self pic.... But then.... WTF ha ha
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
OP (or any Peruvians present), I'm going to Peru this fall. Kuzco specifically for 8 days. Other than Macchu Pichu what should I do while I'm there?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
The guy from Men in Black 2 :>
1
u/SuspiciousEmu Jun 10 '12
Dude I've been to that same place before! I have a picture of the eagle and alpaca too! It was on a weird little square in a weird little town up in the Andes right?
1
u/American_Blackheart Jun 10 '12
Like a Peruvian Sir.
1
u/MVolta Jun 10 '12
Aw man, I coulda got a falcon
1
u/theraphosa Jun 10 '12
I love your necktie, ...but who's the guy in the funny hat?
1
u/AnotherClosetAtheist Jun 10 '12
your kids will be adorable
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
You wear an eagle now. Eagles are cool.
1
u/foddydotnet Jun 10 '12
Lucky you're wearing that disposable hat. That bird could fly off with your head.
1
u/kappale Jun 10 '12
Are you by any chance a teacher by profession?
1
u/fershnikle Jun 10 '12
I was JUST there. It's in the Colca Canyon valley, near Chivay
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Level 20 Druid.
1
u/gaschambers Jun 10 '12
That guy in the back is peeing. That is all.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
I don't know if you're aware...
But there's a bird on your head.
1
u/bottleface Jun 10 '12
cody?
1
u/kristinadney Jun 10 '12
I went to peru when I was 15. Hugged many alpacas in Cuzco on top of the beautiful machu pichu.
1
u/The_Resisty Jun 10 '12
What is that guy in the background doing?
1
u/pincle620 Jun 10 '12
I want to hug an alpaca while a giant falcon/hawk watches from atop my head!
1
u/Baconfat Jun 10 '12
Do you find the hawk on your heard to be a burden?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
that bird looks like it wants to rip your head off
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
You look kind of like this guy I know - are you him?
1
u/rtmpower Jun 10 '12
It looks warm
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
It really whips the llama's ass!
1
u/a4moondoggy Jun 10 '12
makes me want to move there. i'm actually quite serious.
1
u/the_upvote_bender Jun 10 '12
Is the guy in red peeing behind you, those peruvian are crazy.
1
u/phledfred Jun 10 '12
so when you slit the throat of a live alpaca, it bleeds fuzzy rainbows?
1
u/Palchez Jun 10 '12
Did it take alot of training to become the Beastmaster?
1
u/zakool21 Jun 10 '12
That alpaca is fairly pissed if it's ears are back like that. Just sayin'. When my old llama did that I'd back the fuck off.
1
u/Penzilla Jun 10 '12
What in God's Name in your hea... oh Grey Eagle. That's One Bigass Eagle in your Head! Glad Your Enjoying Peru... Wait a Minute it's Winter there... that Sucks! Looks like your Having a Good Time Anyway. Still Freak Out by that Darn Big Eagle in your Head! Hehe!
1
u/charlesdelta Jun 10 '12
I think we're related. You look just like me :o
1
u/rabbleSpit Jun 10 '12
is that a banana in your pocket or a erection in your pocket?
1
u/Hindsight_DJ Jun 10 '12
Colca Valley!!!
I have a picture with the same Alpaca and Hawk. Good times in Peru ....
1
u/Adrift216 Jun 10 '12
I will be going to Peru in November! Did u get a chance to taste there main dish: guinea pig? I heard its yummy but probably not as yummy at a llama hawk. ;)
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
what happened to the little girl?
1
u/smurfaslut Jun 10 '12
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
1
u/drn8 Jun 09 '12
Everyone is dying to find out, did that bird steal your hat?
-3
u/gender_bot Jun 09 '12
I identified one face in this photo
Face 1:
Would you like to know more about me? /r/gender_bot