Positives of Animal tourism (Eco-tourism) – Hannah
UN World Tourism Organization estimates that 7% of world tourism relates to wildlife tourism, growing annually by 3%
· 93% of heritage sites support recreation and tourism
· 91% provide jobs
· In Belize – more than 50% of the population is supported by income generated through reef-related tourism and fisheries
· Northern Rangelands trust, Kenya – 30% of revenue comes from tourism, employing over 1,000 Kenyans
· Wit, W D., Marsh, E., and Kjemtrup, A,. 2017. Not for sale: Halting the illegal trade of cites species from world heritage sites. WWF Report, World Wide Fund For Nature, Gland, Switzerland
Zoos have been responsible for the survival of many species on the brink of extinction, some examples being:
– California condors
– The Arabian Oryx
– The Blackfooted Ferret
– The Simitar Horned Oryx – which are extinct in the wild
– Jack Kassewitz 2018, Dolphins in Human Care, Speak Dolphin, viewed 2 May 2018, http://www.speakdolphin.com/mythsVsFacts.cfm
Studies conducted offshore are expensive – So due to the lack of research; studying rehabilitated dolphins presents rare opportunities to understand species
– Wells, R.S., Manire, C.A., Byrd, L., Smith, D.R., Gannon, J.G., Fauquier, D. and Mullin, K.D., 2009. Movements and dive patterns of a rehabilitated Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus, in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Marine Mammal Science, 25(2), pp.420-429.
Dolphin Discovery Centre – Bunbury Western Australia
– NFP organisation committed to the conservation and research and education of Bottlenose Dolphins and other marine life native to the area
– Dolphins are free roaming – interaction zone on the bay allows dolphins to choose if they want to interact with humans
– Strict rules on interactions – no touching or approaching / dolphins have total control over the situation
– 60,000 visitors a year
– research conducted on site concerning Cetacean socialisation and behaviour
o White, S 2012, ‘Discovering dolphins in Katoombana Bay’, Australian Geographic, viewed 2 May 2018, http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2012/01/discovering-dolphins-in-koombana-bay
o Dolphin Discovery Centre 2015, Discovery Centre, viewed 2 May 2018, http://dolphindiscovery.com.au/enjoy/interpretive-centre/
More Cetacean rehabilitation programs:
– National Marine Science Centre (Southern Cross)
– Dolphin Marine Magic Park – Rehabilitates and releases animals, while educating people
NGO’s use ecotourism to raise awareness and educate people in conservation efforts. This is done in many different ways.
o NGO’s own land used for conservation which is opened up to the public to raise awareness and raise money to continue protection efforts.
o Start up protection areas with intentions of releasing management to local communities once stable
o Assist governments or communities with legislation or logistical help in order to start-up ventures
· Romero-Brito, T.P., Buckley, R.C. and Byrne, J., 2016. NGO Partnerships in Using Ecotourism for Conservation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PloS one, 11(11), p.e0166919.
· influence governments from the top down to increase conservation efforts, through new or changed legislation, increased budgets,
· Buckley, R., 2009. Evaluating the net effects of ecotourism on the environment: a framework, first assessment and future research. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 17(6), pp.643-672.
—–
Pros of wildlife tourism/ animals in tourism
– Animal tourism industry raises awareness and funds to assist the conservation of many wildlife species which may be endangered
– If profit is being made due to wildlife tourism- potentially prevent the destruction of many habitats in turn preventing the decline in populations of many other species that live in the same habitats- prevents the chain reaction – displacement of species- becoming pests in other regions
– Popularity of certain endangered species- awareness of their decline- prevention assisting in the reduction of poaching etc
Sustainable forms of tourism – e,g whale watching
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF WILDLIFE TOURISM ON WILDLIFE By Karen Higginbottom, Chelsea Northrope and Ronda Green WILDLIFE TOURISM RESEARCH REPORT SERIES: NO. 6 Status Assessment of Wildlife Tourism in Australia Series
Higginbottom, K., Northrope, C. and Green, R. (2001). Positive effects of wildlife tourism on wildlife. Gold Coast, Qld.: CRC for Sustainable Tourism.
Wildlife tourism – brings large amounts of money into the country, ability to fund management and conservation of wildlife and their habitats
Tourism promotes communities and people to get involved in these management activities, and assist in the funding for research to be continued regarding conservation
Rescue and rehabilitation
In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, environmental monitoring programs have been developed by the government authority that include participation by visitors, providing them in turn with a learning experience[ (Birtles et al. 2001.)
Earthwatch, Landscope Expeditions, Conservation Volunteers Australia (Box 3) and Operation Raleigh
Some larger wildlife tourism enterprises, including zoos and major free-ranging wildlife attractions, make a significant contribution to wildlife research.
There is some evidence that interpretation associated with wildlife viewing can result in more positive attitudes towards wildlife conservation, in terms of generating increased support for conservation of target species and wildlife in general (reviewed by Moscardo et al. 2001)
Zoos involved in education
“Zoos and aquariums have shifted their focus over recent years, taking a much more active role in wildlife conservation and in promoting conservation learning among their visitors. Research in these settings provides a valuable foundation for the emerging field of non‐captive wildlife tourism” R. Ballantyne, J. Packer, K. Hughes & L. Dierking (2007) Conservation learning in wildlife tourism settings: lessons from research in zoos and aquariums,Environmental Education Research, 13:3, 367-383, DOI: 10.1080/13504620701430604
Key components of conservation- wildlife, people and money
Zoos- Genetic management and captive breeding+reintroduction – contributing to conservation of endangered species
Wildlife Tourism: Impacts, Management and Planning — Chapter 6 Contributions of Wildlife Tourism to Conservation Karen Higginbottom and Andrew Tribe —à Higginbottom, K. (2004). Wildlife tourism. Altona, Vic: Common Ground Publishing.
Kenya- wildlife tourism generates $400 million p.a- Swanson, T. and Barbier, E. (1992). Economics for the wilds. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.