Browse e-KNOWBASE

Category FAQs Search : Tourism

Question: Can Wildlife tourism help conserve our endangered species?

Answer: Some people believe these animals should be kept away from tourists, and others even believe that they should be removed from the wild to be kept in captivity as a ‘reserve’ population to prevent extinction. However, this is preservation rather than conservation, and it treats the symptoms – it’s not a cure. Conservation is about more than saving animals; it involves maintaining habitats and changing mindsets. Wildlife is endangered by the actions of people, from deforestation to pollution and hunting. Responsible wildlife tourism has an important role to play in stopping these detrimental activities by encouraging people to relish rather than ravage the natural environment. By making animals more valuable alive than dead, it is possible to encourage both poachers and governments to refrain from killing and to seek out alternative ways to profit from them. Rather than trying to enforce conservation efforts at an international level, the use of tourism to change views at a local level can be far more powerful. By viewing animals as a valuable commodity and a key component in the tourism industry, rather than a pest, inconvenience or foodstuff, it is more likely that conservation initiatives will be successful, ensuring that future generations can visit, watch and enjoy these wonderful creatures.

(Source: Responsible Travel, 11 Oct 2021)

Source Link: https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/can-wildlife-tourism-help-conserve-our-endangered-species