The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, rescues orphaned baby orangutans from logging sites, plantations, illegal hunting and the pet trade. Today, it has become Sabah's top nature-based and wildlife tourist destination. Photo courtesy of Flick/whl.travel

We’ve all visited neglected, underfunded and high-traffic tourist parks where wild and endangered animals have become almost tame. Sites such as these, where regulations are inadequately enforced, are unfortunately far too common. Visiting tour groups are frequently too large or too loud, acting in ways that threaten the local wildlife, disrupting delicate ecosystems and occasionally endangering themselves. Too often “ecotourism” is merely a catchphrase used by proprietors more interested in scoring revenue than in minimising the effects of travel and preserving native habitats.

On the sunny flip side of this is well-planned ecotourism, the kind that helps conserve many outdoor and wilderness spaces that may be a last hope for endangered species. Around the world, successful ecotourism programs are helping to spotlight animal conservation, promoting awareness and drawing dollars to the cause. Many such projects deserve far more attention than they get – which is why we should keep talking about them, spreading the word among friends or “liking” them on Facebook.

The best ecotourism initiatives also take a multi-pronged approach to establishing peaceful coexistence between the worlds of humans and beasts. Successful projects have helped two-legged outsiders understand what’s at stake in some of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, and have educated locals and visitors alike about how their actions can help preserve wild animal populations.

Beyond all this, of course, lies economic development. Well-practiced ecotourism brings a wide range of benefits to local communities and serves as a powerful incentive to support the conservation of wildlife. The best models work by linking community development with education and environmental stewardship, creating the right atmosphere for ecotours that protect endangered animals in the wild.

In light of all of this, here are some of our favourite ecotourism and endangered-species conservation programs, courtesy of the WHL Group.

Saving Orphan Orangutans in Sepilok, Northern Borneo, Malaysia

From its headquarters in Malaysian Sabah on the tropical island of Borneo, one local conservation centre has been working hard since 1964 to protect one of mankind’s closest relatives. Here in a local forest reserve is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a sanctuary and boarding school for around 25 orphan orangutans.

The centre houses young primates caught during logging operations and confiscated from illegal poachers. Working in close collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Orangutan Appeal, the organisation gives the fostered orangutans the training they need to survive in the wild. Babies are given daily meals of milk and bananas and are nurtured through a buddy system, which partners them with older apes. In this way, many youngsters learn skills, including tree-climbing, that are essential for life in the forest.

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre can be reached via a 45-minute flight from the city of Kota Kinabalu. At the Centre, a guided walking tour begins with a short informational video. Guests then have the chance to witness a feeding and explore the surrounding forest reserve, home to between 60 and 80 orangutans. All proceeds from the visitors’ entry fees help to run the program.

The magnificent breach of a humpback whale off the Morro de São Paulo coast of Brazil

Protecting the Humpback Whale in Morro de São Paulo, Brazil

Based in the fishing port of Caravelas in the Brazilian state of Bahia, the Instituto Baleia Jubarte works tirelessly to monitor and protect the habitats of humpback whales. The research taking place focuses on whale populations, whale behaviour and human threats to whale conservation. In the legal sphere, the institute has also been instrumental in putting a stop to offshore oil exploration during the humpback whale’s mating season.

One difficulty of studying whales stems from the amount of time they spend completely submerged. When spotted breaching, however, humpbacks put on quite a show. Weighing between 35 and 40 tons, these graceful acrobats nevertheless seem to hang in mid-air.

Humpbacks feed during the summer in polar waters off Antarctica, but when the season turns they migrate north in search of warmer seas in which to breed. From July to October, they are therefore often spotted close to the small village Morro de São Paulo, where a local whale-watching tour is run in partnership with the institute, a portion of the proceeds contributing to whale research. Each tour collects scientific information about the creatures as visitors learn more about whale migration patterns.

The country of Zambia is an important stronghold for the survival of the African lion, especially the 22,400-square-kilometre territory of Kafue National Park. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Liv Unni Sødem

Safeguarding the King of Cats in Countries Throughout Africa

Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the African lion has seen its numbers dwindle fast, plummeting by an estimated 30 percent in the last two decades alone. Some top threats to the cats include defensive killings by humans to protect their livestock, reductions in prey and loss of habitat. In the face of this, nongovernmental organisations across the African continent such as the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) are working to set responsible standards that will help in the conservation of these iconic creatures.

In Zambia, the low density of the human population combined with an immense tract of well-preserved parkland have made it a main refuge for the noble African lion. Roughly twice the size of Belgium, the territory of Kafue National Park plays host to the Kafue Lion Project, which helps to ensure the long-term sustainable management of the area by collecting information on the stability of the park’s lion populations. Such data will eventually be used in the development of a countrywide Lion Management Strategy.

Capitalising on this in a responsible fashion, many tours and experiences in Zambia now allow travellers to observe lions in their habitat. From the city of Livingstone, whl.travel local connection Wildside Tours’ lion encounter tour provides an opportunity for visitors to walk amongst the lions. For a bit more distance, a lion safari drive is a good way to watch lions hunt and play against the stunning backdrop of the nearby Dambwa Forest.

Supporting Snow Leopard Conservation in Nepal

Residing in the alpine regions of Central Asia and mountain ranges of the Himalayas, snow leopards survive in some of the world’s harshest climates. There may only be between 4,500 and 7,500 left in the world, although as solitary and elusive animals, they are famed for being difficult to count. Complicating conservation efforts are the hostile conflicts along the international borders where over a third of the animal’s territory falls.

Nepal is known to have a relatively dense snow leopard population, especially throughout the spectacular Annapurna trekking region. Due to their loss of habitat and the area’s omnipresent livestock, the cats have occasionally preyed upon villagers’ sheep and horses. To help stem the tide of retaliatory killings against snow leopards, organisations such as the WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund) and the Snow Leopard Conservancy work to provide villagers with livestock insurance and other alternative income sources.

One current WWF project focuses on training villagers to set up camera traps that allow for surveying and monitor the cats. This is in additional to helping locals create treks, education initiatives, cultural shows and guided wildlife tours aimed at spotting the elusive snow leopard.

Barra de Potosí is a small coastal village at the mouth of a lagoon, part of a complex and interdependent system of lagoons, which runs along the coast of the Municipio de Petatlan. The lagoon network regulates the lives of both human and animal lives and has a balanced ecosystem that has kept its people gainfully employed and its environment protected.

Barra de Potosí beach. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

A Mega-Development Threat

The people of Barra de Potosí are now confronted by a development project that they believe will destroy the existing ecosystem, in spite of Mexican laws protecting the environment and in contradiction with industry trends that seem to point toward interests in sustainability and ecotourism.

Fonatur, a branch of the Ministry of Tourism, and its subsidiary Fonatur Operadora SA de CV are planning a mega project in the area of Petatlan that includes Barra de Potosí. The proposed development would include construction of a cruise ship pier in the bay, as well as the expansion of an existing installation in the bay of Zihuatanejo. The official document published in the Gazetta Official refers to a concession in the bay of Potosí covering 1,500 hectares and an almost 8,000-square-meter pier. Indicating the intention to go ahead with these plans, developers a few miles south of Barra de Potosí have recently built a road that will block the natural flow of water from one of the rivers that feeds the lagoon.

Residents of Barra de Potosí and neighboring communities have tried to obtain detailed information about this development project, but have only received evasive answers. The people have stood up in protest, for example in Zihuatanejo and Petatlan, to convince civil servants as well as representatives of Fonatur and its subsidiaries that this project goes against all national environmental laws. It would also annihilate the unique biodiversity of this region in a just few years, while depriving the population of its traditional means of existence.

Local fisherman hard at work near the mangroves. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

An Irreplaceable Ecosystem

The Potosí lagoon and those interconnected with it, together with long stretches of adjoining beaches, are home to over 200 species of birds, endangered butterflies, rare mammals and reptiles, nesting sea turtles, coral reefs, breeding whales and many species of threatened plants.

Preliminary studies by biologists from the Independent University Metropolitan (UAM) indicate that within the ecosystems of Barra de Potosí there are hundreds of species of flora and fauna, of which 46 are endangered or at risk according to the official Mexican regulation NOM-059. For example of the seven surviving species of sea turtles in the world, the leatherback, olive ridley and hawksbill all nest on the beaches of Barra. The Laguna de Potosí contains 450 hectares of mangrove swamps and three threatened species of manglar: botoncillo, black, red and white listed in NOM-059.

Other species threatened by extinction are the rare Tamandua anteater, the puma jaguarundi, the jaguar or Panthera onca, Mexican white tail deer, boa constrictor, iguana and American crocodile. Over two hundred species of birds – including 22 on the NOM-059 list – have been sighted by UAM scientists including roseate spoonbills, painted buntings, trogans, white and brown pelicans and woodstorks. The nearby islands of Los Moros are rookeries for brown boobies, tropicbirds and magnificent frigates, to name a few. The waters off the beach form part of the migration route for humpback whales, bottlenose and tropical dolphins, among other endangered species.

Over 200 species of birds have been sighted here in the pristine Potosí lagoon, and in the surrounding ecosystem. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Barra de Potosí’s Youth: Ideas to Sustain the Community

Some of the local youth, well-educated sons and grandsons of fishermen have been working on developing an economic plan that would help preserve their way of life along with the precious natural environment. These future leaders of the community have been working on an ecotourism project alongside academics from various national universities. They believe very strongly that this project is not only an economically and environmentally sound venture, but also acts as a line of defense against predatory mega-tourism enterprises which often ally with short-sighted government agencies.

The youth’s efforts in this grassroots ecotourism project are strongly supported by the great majority of the population, which has seen the unfortunate results of devastating mega-tourism projects in Huatulco, Cancun, nearby Ixtapa and elsewhere in Mexico. A defense fund has been created and an environmental lawyer has been hired to help on the legal front, while an informational campaign has been launched with the aim of enlisting help from the general public as well as from international organizations.

A young protester at a public march. Photo courtesy of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

How You Can Help

This fight against a huge government institution out of touch with its own public policies is proving to be a difficult one, and the people of Barra de Potosí can use all the help they can get. Consider offering your support of this community by participating in one of these easy ways:

1. Send an email to Mexican decisionmakers. See here for a sample template and instructions for how to address your letter.
2. Spread the word on Facebook. Join the Barra de Potosí “Causes” page.
3. Post a message of support on the Save Barra de Potosí guestbook page here.
4. Use your voice! Tell popular cruise lines that you don’t want them in Barra de Potosí, and let them know that Barra residents have international support. See more information here on how and where to send an email or letter to cruise lines.
5. Inform yourself and others about this important issue.
6. Spread the word! Share this link with your friends and colleagues!

Let the decisionmakers know that the small town of Barra de Potosí is not alone in its fight against over development, destruction of an irreplaceable ecosystem and disregard of an entire community.

Leaf Peeping in South Korea

‘Leaf peepers’ have plenty of places from which to choose to lose themselves in a dazzling swirl of red and gold. Despite the name, this is not some seedy voyeuristic pastime; rather it’s the wholesome autumnal treat of checking out the colours of the changing leaves. The New England states of the USA are perhaps the most famous locale for spotting fall foliage, but there other notable places off the well-trodden leaf-peeping path. South Korea is quickly gaining a reputation for spectacular autumn colours that rival its more famous neighbour, Japan. Called danpoong in Korean, the annual September-to-November leaf season is a big draw for locals and visitors alike, and with regular danpoong updates from around the country made by the Korean Meteorological Administration, it’s easy not to miss the spectacle!

Jirisan is considered one of the most important mountains in South Korea and the beautiful autumn foliage season begins here in mid-October. By the end of November, the leaves have all turned a deep shade of crimson. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/eimoberg.

Leafy mountainous areas such as Mt. Halla on Cheju-do Island are the best places to get your fill of fall foliage, but even the capital, Seoul, with its tree-lined streets, has a fair share of wow factor. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Changdeokgung Palace boasts a number of beautiful landscaped gardens that are home to hundreds of varieties of trees. The autumnal explosion of colour makes for a very popular day trip, so be prepared to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ with up to 3,500 other eager peepers a day.

Fungi Foraging in Belarus

Mushroom picking is very popular right across the European continent when the cooler, wetter autumn months see these tasty little fellas popping up all over the place like, well…like mushrooms. Hordes of pickers head out to the forests, wicker baskets in tow, to claim their bounty. Much like its neighbours of Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia, the former Soviet state of Belarus is big on mushrooming and these fruits of the forest figure heavily in the local diet.

The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve of Belarus is home to over 463 species of mushroom. Its delicate ecosystem also boasts nearly a thousand plant species, many not found elsewhere in Europe, and a thriving animal population including many rare and endangered species such as lynx, wolf, bison and bear. Photo courtesy of www.berezinsky.com

Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, about 120 kilometres from the capital, Minsk, is one of five national parks in Belarus recognised and supported by UNESCO. Set up in 1925 to protect rare animal species in the north of the country, Berezinsky is a pristine environment of forests, bogs, reservoirs and meadows, as well as a fungi-foraging paradise. However, its special land status means that mushroom and berry picking are strictly limited to designated areas on the outer edges of the reserve, close to the villages. Day trips can easily be arranged from Minsk, but novice ‘shroomers should always go with an experienced local, or, at the very least, use a reference book for guidance.

Mountain Biking in Bolivia

The charmingly named Camino de la Muerte or ‘Road of Death’ links the Bolivian capital of La Paz with the small town of Coroico in Yungas, three hours away. The road has earned its cheery moniker on account of the huge vertical drops, hairpin bends, narrow passes and worryingly high number of fatalities that make it stand out in a country already not known for its road safety.

Despite being described by the Inter-American Development Bank as the world’s most dangerous road, the precipitous road from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia sees thousands of tourists each year hurl themselves down it. With sheer drops, steep descents, some pretty rough terrain in parts and the possibility of sharing your narrow strip of turf with an oncoming truck, the potential for disaster keeps the punters coming back for more!

A rite of passage for cycling enthusiasts, backpackers and adrenaline junkies from all over the world, the route is now well served by tour companies that provide bikes, safety gear, guides, refreshments and lunch along the way. The five-hour tour begins at La Cumbre, 4,700 metres above sea level, before plunging down 1,200 metres along the cliff edge. At the bottom is some well-deserved R & R, as well as a souvenir T-shirt proudly stating ‘I Survived the Road of Death.’

The mellow colonial town of Coroico is welcome too as a place to unwind after the big-city bustle of La Paz. Coroico is situated on the outskirts of the Amazon rainforest and enjoys warm weather and clear blue skies in marked contrast to the harsher, chillier conditions of Bolivia’s Altiplano. A popular weekend getaway, Coroico is pleasantly quiet at other times, when bargain hunters can easily find discounted accommodation. In addition, September and October, when the weather is cool, dry and sunny, are ideal times to visit, sandwiched as they are between the peak-tourist and rainy seasons.

Whale Watching in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands of Raratonga, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro are ideally situated in the path of migrating humpback whales headed to their summer feeding grounds off the coast of New Zealand and the Antarctic. In October it’s therefore possible to watch these majestic creatures breaching and cavorting at the reef’s edge. As the reef is often as close as 10 metres to shore, a beachside sun lounge may be the best viewing platform, thus leaving the animals undisturbed.

The second-most-visited island in the Cook Islands, Aitutaki is surrounded by reef and and is famous for its stunning turquoise lagoon and endless white-sand beaches. It is only 45 minutes from Raratonga by plane.

Also worth mention is Aitutaki Lagoon, 220 kilometres north of Raratonga on the island paradise of Aitutaki. The turquoise waters boast a rainbow display of fish, as well as eagle rays, giant clams and turtles. Day trips can be arranged from Raratonga on planes that depart several times a day.

Mountain Climbing in Tanzania

Flush against Tanzania‘s northern border with Kenya, just over 200 miles south of the equator, Mt. Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world – is at its best in September and October. Temperatures are pleasantly warm, rain and cloud cover are minimal and the views are excellent as a result. Plus, the number of people attempting to scale the 5,895-metre peak becomes a mere trickle in October, which is great news for solitary soul-searchers. There are nine ways up the ‘Roof of Africa,’ with the Marangu Route offering the most in the way of comfort, including shops and sleeping huts. Hardcore climbers may prefer the Umbwe Route – no beds or beer on this path, but the overnights in caves will still seem pretty enticing after a hard day’s hike!

Comprising three inactive volcanic cones, Mt. Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa, but one of the most celebrated peaks in the world. Around 22,000 climbers attempt the ascent every year, with 40% never making it to Uhuru peak, 5,893 metres above sea level. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Muhammad Mahdi Karim

Tanzania has plenty of other tricks up its sleeve during September and October, with diving and sailing on Zanzibar, and game viewing on the mainland all at their best. The coastal winds taper off, which means it’s a good time to hit the beaches near Dar Es Salaam (or even Kenya’s Mombasa), and the drier weather means animals tend to congregate around water sources. To catch the latter, in addition to nearby game drives in the World Heritage-listed Selous Game Reserve (Africa’s largest protected game reserve) or the Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountain national parks, a definite must-see is the migration from the north of Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya, when thousands of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River. One of the greatest wildlife shows on earth!

The Kingdom of Tonga is located in the South Pacific just north of New Zealand. The tropical climate provides ample opportunity for visitors to head to the beaches and enjoy the Pacific Ocean’s cool breezes. Having snorkeling gear or a surfboard on hand won’t be regretted, but for something more involved, ask a local expert to direct you to the specialised diving/tour companies.

The joy of diving in Tonga is boundless. The water is warm, very clear and dive sites are easy to reach. Once beneath the waves, there’s little current, but lots of canyons, caves and swim-throughs, as well as an abundance of colourful, picturesque underwater wildlife.

The largest of the latter include the islands’ gigantic – but nonviolent – humpback whales, present in Tongan waters between July and November. A swim with these friendly creatures, handled according to careful guidelines that show maximum respect for the animals, is second to none. Doubters are convinced after a single personal encounter.

The whales are safe and free to come and go with no threat from humans, since, in 1979, the Tongan parliament supported a royal decree from the previous year that banned whaling in Tonga’s waters. Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu Tuita is the Royal Patron of Whales, working with the Tongan Whale Watch Operators Association, which aims to protect the creatures. This association has the wholehearted support of Vava’u Tourist Association, Whale Watch Operators Association of Vava’u, Tonga Visitors Bureau, IFAW and SPREP.

Tonga’s rich history and cultural traditions have proven time and again that the spirit of the seas is still alive and continues to protect its waters. With coral reefs and sea mangroves providing shelter to its precious marine life, Tonga should be considered lucky in today’s often dirty and polluted world.

The magnificent breach of a humpback whale off the Morro de São Paulo coast of Brazil

Marine experts estimate that a humpback whale travels an average of 25,000 kilometres each year on a regular migration route that begins with feeding in cold polar waters and ends with summer breeding in subtropical climates. In the southern hemisphere, humpback whales travel from Antarctica to the northern Brazilian coast of Bahia, where visitors regularly gather to witness whale mothers and calves up close.

Hunters’ Deadly Harpoons

There was, however, a time in our history when humpback whales teetered perilously close to extinction, with only 10% of the original population left in the world. Although several factors led to the depreciation in their numbers, the most severe was beyond doubt that of hunting. The humpback whale’s close-to-shore activities and unhurried pace have made it an easy mark for commerical hunters for centuries.

Slow-moving adult humpback whales, which can grow over 50 feet in length, have long been easy marks for hunters

Commerical whale hunting in Brazil was introduced at the beginning of the 17th century. In the 20th century, Japanese factories were often busy in Brazilian waters until whaling was finally prohibited in 1987. In the 87 years prior to that, according to the Instituto Baleia Jubarte it is estimated that over 200,000 humpback whales were killed in the southern hemisphere alone.

Whales continue to be endangered even though significant changes have been made to sea-harvesting practices. The primary threats include over-fishing, pollution, commercial fishing nets and climate change. The result is a whale population about one-third of what it was once thought to be.

Instituto Baleia Jubarte

“The idea that whales are saved from human aggression is not true, and in this new century we should strive to make sure our actions do not once again lead them down the path of distinction.” – Instituto Baleia Jubarte

Before embarking on a whalewatching trip, participants are given some information about humpback whales

With the end of whale hunting in Brazil, interest in whalewatching has grown rapidly in coastal areas, where visitors flock to catch a glimpse of these incredible animals. Besides the obvious advantages of not killing whales and promoting cetacean awareness and conservation, the incidental effects of whale tourism have been positive in other ways; this type of tourism produces over US$1 billion dollars annually across the globe, greatly impacting the local coastal communities who now depend on it. Compared to whale hunting, a practice where the economic advantages are centralized in the hands of a few at the expense of an entire species, whale tourism benefits a large number of people, local ventures like restaurants, tour operators and hotels, and, of course, the whales themselves.

One organisation very aware of this and now actively contributing to the peaceful coexistence of humans and whales – and ensuring the latter a better future today – is the Instituto Baleia Jubarte (IBJ), located in Praia do Forte, 90 kilometres northeast of Salvador. IBJ now works in partnership with Rota Tropical Turismo, who run whalewatching trips daily from July to October in the waters near Morro de São Paulo, where humpbacks gather to reproduce. On this day trip, participants can behold the acrobatic whales breaching and playing in the water, and sometimes even see mother whales with newborn calves. Taking a tour like this not only promotes awareness by connecting travellers with these remarkable animals, it also supports IBJ’s work in environmental education, scientific research and preservation of humpback whales.

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For more information on whalewatching tours and any other local recommendations or advice about Morro de São Paulo hotels and Morro de São Paulo tours, contact the team of Rota Tropical, your whl.travel local connection.

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