Challenges and Proposals for Challenges and Proposals for Sustainable Wildlife TourismSustainable Wildlife Tourism

Robin Andersen, Ph.D. Robin Andersen, Ph.D. Fordham UniversityFordham University

Christina Paulette Colon, Ph.D.Christina Paulette Colon, Ph.D.Columbia UniversityColumbia University

New York Botanical GardenNew York Botanical GardenFrommerFrommer’’s Guide Bookss Guide Books

PatternsPatterns

•• Natural areas, habitat and Natural areas, habitat and species are rapidly species are rapidly declining worldwidedeclining worldwide

•• Humans are increasingly Humans are increasingly living in urbanized and living in urbanized and nonnon--natural settingsnatural settings

•• Tourism to wild places is Tourism to wild places is increasingincreasing

•• Animals are major Animals are major attractions for many attractions for many destinationsdestinations Tourism to remote places including

Tahiti and Baja California is expanding

PracticePractice•• Tourists are willing to Tourists are willing to

bare the costs to see, bare the costs to see, pet, feed and otherwise pet, feed and otherwise interact with wildlifeinteract with wildlife

•• What is common for What is common for some is exotic for otherssome is exotic for others

•• Tour operators facilitate Tour operators facilitate wildlife encounter wildlife encounter opportunitiesopportunities

Baby king penguin in Antarctica with crew from Lindblad Expeditions ship

Tamandua at Belize Zoo during night walk

ProblemsProblems•• Most wildlife tourism is Most wildlife tourism is

unregulated and unregulated and unmonitoredunmonitored

•• Most tourists do not know Most tourists do not know the impact of their the impact of their wildlife encounterswildlife encounters

•• Most tour operators are Most tour operators are not wildlife or habitat not wildlife or habitat specialists specialists

•• Researchers and wildlife Researchers and wildlife managers struggle to managers struggle to understand its impact.understand its impact.

Family approaching pig tailed macaque in Borneo

How can animal/human

encounters inspire conservation action?

“Something ineffable happened in those few moments, something so wonderful and profound that it awakened my conscience and forever changed the way I felt about animals.”

David WesternDavid Western

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

““The vision of the sable antelope is the bookThe vision of the sable antelope is the book’’s s leitmotif, serving at times of stress to remind leitmotif, serving at times of stress to remind Western of his primal commitment to saving Western of his primal commitment to saving

AfricaAfrica’’s wildlife.s wildlife.”” John John TerborghTerborgh

Proposed ParadigmProposed Paradigm

•• Based on more than ten years of Based on more than ten years of observations and several years of research observations and several years of research worldwide, weworldwide, we’’ve noticed several patterns ve noticed several patterns of wildlife tourismof wildlife tourism

•• Each category is described below Each category is described below •• Differences and similarities are discussedDifferences and similarities are discussed•• Proposed actions for all categories are Proposed actions for all categories are

made based on patterns observedmade based on patterns observed

Existing Cultural ContextExisting Cultural Context

Cultural and economic practices currently shape Cultural and economic practices currently shape animal encountersanimal encounters

•• Set expectationSet expectation

•• Position the visitor in relation to nature and wildlifePosition the visitor in relation to nature and wildlife

•• Influence and reinforce certain attitudes over othersInfluence and reinforce certain attitudes over others

•• Invite behavior toward animalsInvite behavior toward animals

Edutainment ModelEdutainment Modelrecreation, fun, entertainment recreation, fun, entertainment

some information, often not accuratesome information, often not accurate•• Captive wild animals Captive wild animals

performing tricks, or performing tricks, or behaviors by a trainer who behaviors by a trainer who rewards animal with treat or rewards animal with treat or praisepraise

•• Few if any focus on Few if any focus on conservation, habitat conservation, habitat destruction or other threatsdestruction or other threats–– Dolphin swimsDolphin swims–– Dolphin showsDolphin shows–– Animal actsAnimal acts–– Circus showsCircus shows

Dolphin show at Curacao Seaquarium

Dolphins Plus Inc.Dolphins Plus Inc.Key Largo, FloridaKey Largo, Florida

•• Structured Dolphin Swim ProgramStructured Dolphin Swim Program

•• Tame animals most now born in captivityTame animals most now born in captivity

CubaCuba

Educational Educational opportunity, yet very opportunity, yet very little information little information about the animals, about the animals, the environment or the environment or their habitat.their habitat.

No interpretive No interpretive materials availablematerials available

High degree of High degree of communication communication blocks: language blocks: language barriersbarriers

CubaCuba

Almost no instruction Almost no instruction about behavioral about behavioral requirement for the requirement for the interactioninteraction

Thirteen to fifteen people Thirteen to fifteen people interact with two interact with two dolphins. dolphins.

Some not focused on Some not focused on instruction from trainers instruction from trainers or at times, the animals.or at times, the animals.

Dolphins Required toDolphins Required toTow 2 PeopleTow 2 People

CubaCuba

•• Location: Remote facility for marine mammals offers Location: Remote facility for marine mammals offers less negative impact on habitat pressures and less negative impact on habitat pressures and animal populations in the wild. animal populations in the wild.

Biodiversity impact occurs with the capture of Biodiversity impact occurs with the capture of individual animals from the wildindividual animals from the wild

AdventureAdventure

•• Experiences Experiences becomebecomethrillingthrilling

•• Animals Animals become become dangerousdangerous

•• Humans Humans invited to be invited to be aggressiveaggressive

Extreme Action ModelExtreme Action Model•• Objective is dangerObjective is danger

and excitementand excitement

•• Adrenaline rush with no Adrenaline rush with no regard for the animals regard for the animals

•• No education or concern No education or concern for wildlife habitatfor wildlife habitat

•• Low safety standard for Low safety standard for visitors and animalsvisitors and animals

Tube inside shark tank in Atlantis allows visitors to pass safely

Banana boat speeds past sea lion colony in Cabo

Whale WatchingWhale Watching•• High cost and effortHigh cost and effort•• Dependent on Dependent on

weather conditionsweather conditions•• No guarantee of No guarantee of

sightingssightings•• Enjoyable boat rideEnjoyable boat ride•• Alternate species to Alternate species to

view such as sea lions view such as sea lions and bird coloniesand bird colonies

•• Dramatic sceneryDramatic scenery•• Free second trip if no Free second trip if no

whales seenwhales seen

Snorkel and Dive ModelSnorkel and Dive Model

•• Many marine animals are Many marine animals are sessile or slow movingsessile or slow moving

•• Seldom resemble animals Seldom resemble animals and therefore subject to and therefore subject to excessive handlingexcessive handling

•• Ocean is not as easily Ocean is not as easily defined as propertydefined as property

•• More susceptible to More susceptible to Tragedy of the Commons Tragedy of the Commons

Dolphins Plus Inc.Dolphins Plus Inc.Key Largo, FloridaKey Largo, Florida

•• DolphinDolphin--Child Child ““TherapyTherapy””with with ““Island Dolphin CareIsland Dolphin Care””

•• ““A notA not--forfor--profit organization developed to help children profit organization developed to help children and their families cope with various developmental, and their families cope with various developmental, physical, and/or emotional disabilities. Their goal is to physical, and/or emotional disabilities. Their goal is to provide a therapeutic, recreational environment that provide a therapeutic, recreational environment that focuses on the emotional and physical well being of the focuses on the emotional and physical well being of the participant and their family members.participant and their family members.””

Healing/Therapy ModelHealing/Therapy Model

•• Animals purported to have Animals purported to have healing powershealing powers

•• Encounter intended to treat Encounter intended to treat or cure diseaseor cure disease

•• Misinformation about the Misinformation about the animals, their behavior and animals, their behavior and their capabilities presentedtheir capabilities presented

•• Implied claims that animals Implied claims that animals can detect and heal tumors, can detect and heal tumors, cancers and injuriescancers and injuries

According to According to www.dolphinhealing.netwww.dolphinhealing.net: :

““Dolphins are highly evolved omni Dolphins are highly evolved omni dimensional beings who live in the dimensional beings who live in the Oneness. Their role is similar to that of Oneness. Their role is similar to that of the angelic kingdom. Like the angels, the angelic kingdom. Like the angels, the dolphins' influence transcends the dolphins' influence transcends time, space and physicality.time, space and physicality.””

Conservation Identity Models * should transform existing cultural models in Strategic Communication DesignThe style and content of promotional material designed

to appeal to needs and expectations with corresponding conservation messages.

• Curiosity Driven; seeks to learn more • Experience Seeker; derives pleasure from visiting

ecologically notable ecosystems and charismatic wildlife

• Spiritual Pilgrim; seeking contemplative or restorative experience

• Naturalist/Altruist; enhance commitment, knowledge and outreach

modified from the AZA

Conservation Identity Models * should address existing cultural models in Strategic Communication Design

• Edutainment/Mystery• Curiosity Driven; seeks to learn more• Action/Adventure Trainer• Experience Seeker; derives pleasure from

visiting ecologically notable ecosystems and charismatic wildlife

• Healing/Therapy • Spiritual Pilgrim; seeking contemplative or

restorative experience• Naturalist/Altruist; enhance commitment

*modified from the AZA

The content of promotional material appealing to expectations with corresponding conservation messages.

Private Wildlife FacilitiesPrivate Wildlife Facilities

•• Natural breedingNatural breeding•• Wildlife choose Wildlife choose

locationlocation•• Humans encourage Humans encourage

breedingbreeding•• Man made viewing Man made viewing

areaarea•• Multiple speciesMultiple species•• UnregulatedUnregulated

Penguin Place in New Zealand

Animal Farm ModelAnimal Farm Model

•• Domesticated nonDomesticated non--native speciesnative species

•• Bred for profit by Bred for profit by private ownerprivate owner

•• Sold for meat, Sold for meat, feathers, eggs etcfeathers, eggs etc

•• Sold in gift shop and Sold in gift shop and exportedexported Curacao Ostrich Farm

Safari ModelSafari Model•• Animals large and/or easy Animals large and/or easy

to spot from a distance to spot from a distance either out in open or up either out in open or up in treesin trees

•• In protected natural In protected natural areas with open terrainareas with open terrain

•• Habituated or slowHabituated or slow•• Multiple species to view Multiple species to view

in natural habitatin natural habitat•• Indirect evidence of Indirect evidence of

wildlife easy to spot and wildlife easy to spot and rewarding if no animals rewarding if no animals are seenare seen

Australian wildlife in parks and reserves

Sanctuary ModelSanctuary Model

•• Sanctuary for displaced or Sanctuary for displaced or feral animals feral animals

•• Donkeys primates and Donkeys primates and other beasts of burden other beasts of burden imported to islands at turn imported to islands at turn of centuryof century

•• Tame but dangerous or a Tame but dangerous or a nuisance to citizens nuisance to citizens

•• Often run by animal welfare Often run by animal welfare agency or nonagency or non--profitprofit

•• Proceeds support sanctuary Proceeds support sanctuary •• Serves tourists and a Serves tourists and a

community servicecommunity service

Voluntourism ModelVoluntourism Model•• Tourists pay for the Tourists pay for the

privilege of volunteering privilege of volunteering on a wildlife conservation on a wildlife conservation projectproject

•• Work with researchers Work with researchers and trained guides to and trained guides to monitor, observe or monitor, observe or protect animals, habitat protect animals, habitat and eggs or nestlingsand eggs or nestlings

•• Highly educationalHighly educational•• High profileHigh profile•• Well managedWell managed•• Well fundedWell funded

Macaw research in Macaw research in TambopataTambopata AmazonAmazon

Sea turtle egg removal for hatch and release

Conservation and Breeding ModelConservation and Breeding Model•• Breeding or rehabilitation Breeding or rehabilitation

facility for endangered species facility for endangered species •• Ultimate goal is restoration of Ultimate goal is restoration of

population through research, population through research, breeding and releasebreeding and release

•• Run by nonRun by non--profit group and profit group and volunteers volunteers

CommunityCommunityDevelopmentDevelopmentModelModel•• Wildlife encounter in Wildlife encounter in

the context of the context of conservation and conservation and community community development and local development and local conservation ethicconservation ethic

•• Education about Education about species and threats as species and threats as well as interaction well as interaction with locals and with locals and cultural connections cultural connections

Community Baboon Sanctuary in Belize

Wildlife TouristsWildlife Touristsas Stakeholder, Management as Stakeholder, Management

Participant, and Information Source Participant, and Information Source

Providing Codes of ConductProviding Codes of Conduct•• A checklist should be provided to guide A checklist should be provided to guide

and inform the responsible wildlife touristand inform the responsible wildlife tourist•• This can be a first step towards more This can be a first step towards more

responsible behavior and philanthropyresponsible behavior and philanthropy

WILD IS WILDWILD IS WILD•• Wild animals have the Wild animals have the

right to be wildright to be wild•• By definition, they are By definition, they are

capable of and within capable of and within their rights to defend their rights to defend themselves from real themselves from real and perceived dangerand perceived danger

•• Perceived threats can Perceived threats can include eye contact, include eye contact, petting, feeding, petting, feeding, sudden movements, sudden movements, loud noises, and loud noises, and chasing, pursuing or chasing, pursuing or corrallingcorralling

DONDON’’T TOUCHT TOUCH•• Handling or touching Handling or touching

causes stress, manifest causes stress, manifest as freezing (often as freezing (often mistaken for tameness) mistaken for tameness) or unprovoked attackor unprovoked attack

•• Chasing or cornering Chasing or cornering mimics predation, mimics predation, inducing a flight or inducing a flight or fright responsefright response

•• Long term effects lead Long term effects lead to illness, death, or loss to illness, death, or loss of antiof anti--predatory predatory responseresponse

Captive born jaguar at Belize Zoo

FEEDING IS HARRASSMENTFEEDING IS HARRASSMENT

•• Feeding can result in Feeding can result in illness and deathillness and death

•• Even appropriate food Even appropriate food changes natural foraging changes natural foraging behavior and leads to behavior and leads to habituation habituation

•• Animals that exhibit Animals that exhibit natural foraging protects natural foraging protects wildlife, their foodwildlife, their food--webs, webs, tourists and local residents tourists and local residents

Imported monkey in Grenada

Wild iguana in Aruba

TAKE ONLY PICTURESTAKE ONLY PICTURES•• Do not purchase, consume Do not purchase, consume

or collect parts of wild or collect parts of wild animals or their resourcesanimals or their resources

•• Even when legal, Even when legal, consumption often consumption often unmonitored unmonitored

•• Lack of understanding can Lack of understanding can lead to population decline lead to population decline or local extinctionor local extinction

Black coral jewelry in Grenada

Molded coral figurines in British Virgin Islands

Empowering Tour OperatorsEmpowering Tour Operators

•• As gatekeepers they hold all powerAs gatekeepers they hold all power•• Perception of who holds power is inverted Perception of who holds power is inverted

in developing countriesin developing countries•• Guides dictate and mediate the experience Guides dictate and mediate the experience

and expectation of touristand expectation of tourist•• Tourists want to be educated and open to Tourists want to be educated and open to

new information and ideasnew information and ideas

EVALUATING WILDLIFE TOUR EVALUATING WILDLIFE TOUR OPERATORSOPERATORS

•• Tour operators, guides and Tour operators, guides and staff often lack knowledge staff often lack knowledge on ecology and on ecology and conservation issuesconservation issues

•• Interpretation should be Interpretation should be posted and stated posted and stated

•• Information should include Information should include natural history, range, natural history, range, diet, conservation status diet, conservation status and threatsand threats Atlantis has the largest aquarium in

the world, but not a single sign

SIZE MATTERSSIZE MATTERS•• Groups should be small Groups should be small

when interacting with when interacting with sensitive species (20)sensitive species (20)

•• Visitors must be briefed Visitors must be briefed on appropriate conducton appropriate conduct

•• Briefing should specify Briefing should specify minimize noise, rapid minimize noise, rapid movement, flash movement, flash photography, chasing, photography, chasing, feeding, petting etc.feeding, petting etc.

Guide briefs sub group of 20 tourists before locating wild koalas in Australia

Group searching for manatees in Belize

CAPTIVE AUDIENCECAPTIVE AUDIENCE•• Wildlife must be housed in Wildlife must be housed in

clean areas with shelter, shade, clean areas with shelter, shade, food, water and coverfood, water and cover

•• Social groups must reflect the Social groups must reflect the species natural preferencesspecies natural preferences

•• Keepers must never threaten or Keepers must never threaten or harmharm

•• End encounter when animals End encounter when animals exhibit signs of stress: panting, exhibit signs of stress: panting, growling, yawning, baring growling, yawning, baring teeth, flattening ears, lunging teeth, flattening ears, lunging or fanning wingsor fanning wings

Protected flamingos in Aruba and Bonaire

CONSERVATION EDUCATIONCONSERVATION EDUCATION•• ValueValue•• ThreatsThreats•• Conservation effortsConservation efforts•• Laws Laws •• Message should be Message should be

culturally relevant culturally relevant •• Opportunities to reduce Opportunities to reduce

impact, learn more and impact, learn more and promote conservationpromote conservation

AVOID EXOTICSAVOID EXOTICS•• Display, import, Display, import,

release of non native release of non native or exotic species must or exotic species must be discouragedbe discouraged

•• Potential threat to Potential threat to native species and native species and habitats through habitats through competition, competition, predation and diseasepredation and disease

Butterfly farm in Aruba

AVOID ILLEGAL PETSAVOID ILLEGAL PETS•• Illegal pets often Illegal pets often

hidden and kept in hidden and kept in poor conditionspoor conditions

•• Violators pay fines or Violators pay fines or bribes to avoid bribes to avoid relinquishing pet and relinquishing pet and income from tourists income from tourists

•• Lack proper Lack proper veterinary careveterinary care

Emaciated clouded leopard in Borneo with intestinal blockage

One armed orangutan in Borneo

REPORT VIOLATIONSREPORT VIOLATIONS•• Speak up if violations are Speak up if violations are

observedobserved•• Communicate to the owner Communicate to the owner

or tourism board or tourism board •• Inform them that violations Inform them that violations

will be reported through will be reported through major travel sites such as major travel sites such as Lonelyplanet.comLonelyplanet.com or or Frommers.comFrommers.com

Turtles in private menagerie in Bonaire

REWARD EXEMPLARY REWARD EXEMPLARY OPERATORSOPERATORS

•• Guides who exhibit appropriate behavior Guides who exhibit appropriate behavior should be explicitly thanked for their effortsshould be explicitly thanked for their efforts

•• Operators who communicate conservation Operators who communicate conservation messages should be supported during and messages should be supported during and after the experienceafter the experience

•• Actively promote through local and Actively promote through local and international venues such as the tourism international venues such as the tourism board, local NGOboard, local NGO’’s and regulatory agencies and s and regulatory agencies and various travel websitesvarious travel websites

CONSIDER YOUR FOOTPRINTCONSIDER YOUR FOOTPRINT•• Opt for activities that do not Opt for activities that do not

destroy the natural landscape destroy the natural landscape and do not threaten wild and do not threaten wild animals whose habitat you are animals whose habitat you are utilizing and impactingutilizing and impacting

•• A quick thrill can cause A quick thrill can cause everlasting damageeverlasting damage

•• Communicate to othersCommunicate to others•• Offset through philanthropyOffset through philanthropy

Loud dangerous ATV in Curacao

ATH (All Terrain Horse) in Aruba

Global Sustainable Tourism CriteriaGlobal Sustainable Tourism CriteriaThe Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism The Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) are organized around four main Criteria (GSTC) are organized around four main themes themes

•• effective sustainability planning effective sustainability planning •• maximizing social and economic benefits for the maximizing social and economic benefits for the

local community local community •• enhancing cultural heritage enhancing cultural heritage •• reducing negative impacts on the environment.reducing negative impacts on the environment.Number 5?Number 5?•• ensuring that animal based tourism protects ensuring that animal based tourism protects

animals and animal communities from harm, and animals and animal communities from harm, and protects habitats and biodiversity from negative protects habitats and biodiversity from negative impacts impacts

“Best Practices” must specify different animals, conditions of encounters, settings and habitats

•• Domesticated animals in captivityDomesticated animals in captivity•• Captive bred wildlife in captivityCaptive bred wildlife in captivity•• Wild born wildlife in captivityWild born wildlife in captivity•• Free ranging wildlife in natural habitatFree ranging wildlife in natural habitat•• Wildlife in protected areasWildlife in protected areas

How Does the Encounter Impact:

• A) Individual Animals?Stress factors, etc

• B) Populations and Communities?Feeding issues, etc

• C) Habitat?Range, etc

• D) Global Sustainability?Does the experience promote environmental awareness? Alter attitudes and behavior?Lead to future participation in conservation efforts?

Evaluating the Multiple Roles of Tour Operators

• How does promotional material position the visitor?Do they set expectations consistent with

conservation?• How do they structure and guild the encounter?

Do they provide sound interpretive materials• Are they trained in animal care and protection?

Do they adhere to conservation and protection guidelines?

• Do they contribute to habitat and conservation efforts?

• Do they observe Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria?

Broad Conservation Messages should be applied to specific encounters•• All life on earth exists with in an ecosystem: All life on earth exists with in an ecosystem:

interdependent relationships between groups of living interdependent relationships between groups of living things and their physical environment.things and their physical environment.

•• An impact on any element has ramifications for the An impact on any element has ramifications for the whole system.whole system.

•• Human beings are responsible for dramatic changes to Human beings are responsible for dramatic changes to ecosystems at a rate unprecedented in Earthecosystems at a rate unprecedented in Earth’’s history.s history.

•• We have a responsibility to care for the Earth, and to We have a responsibility to care for the Earth, and to leave healthy ecosystems for future generations leave healthy ecosystems for future generations

•• Due to the unprecedented changes the human species is Due to the unprecedented changes the human species is causing on the planet, we must take action to save causing on the planet, we must take action to save wildlife.wildlife.

distilled from the AZAdistilled from the AZA

Lake Lake ManyaraManyara National ParkNational ParkTanzaniaTanzania

A clearly communicated conservation A clearly communicated conservation message beneficial to animals and message beneficial to animals and visitors alike.visitors alike.

““Remove nothing from the park except Remove nothing from the park except nourishment for the soul, consolation for the nourishment for the soul, consolation for the

heart and inspiration for the mind.heart and inspiration for the mind.””