Top 6 Responsible Wildlife Experiences

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WILDLIFE

TOP 6

RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCESHow to watch pandas, monitor jaguars, and track leopard in confidence, knowing that your encounter benefits them directly

Shadowing elephants

1 in Cambodia

Recommended by Emily Hagan ‘Unlike most elephant sanctuaries I’ve visited, the Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia is planned around its residents rather than its human guests – the elephants roam freely within a swathe of jungle. The project provides a place for working elephants to retire and helps them to regain natural behavior. Staying two nights gives you a day with the animals. You’ll hike into the jungle to shadow them with their mahouts; this involves a long walk, but seeing the elephants in a natural environment more than compensates.’

Native birdlife guided hikes

4 in New Zealand

Recommended by Matt Eagle ‘Mou Waho is a bosky isle festooned in matagouri (manuka plants), and dropped right in Lake Wanaka. It’s been cleared of predators, allowing native birdlife to thrive. You might see bellbirds, tomtits, New Zealand falcons, and fantails, and even Wally and Sally, a pair of ever curious kiwi-like wekas. You might also come across purpose-made ‘motels’ for wetas – a native cricket like creature that’s also making a much needed comeback in New Zealand. After a guided hike, conclude your tour by planting a tree, your own contribution to preserving the birds’ habitat.’

Jaguar conservation in

2 the Pantanal

Recommended by Will Garrett ‘Working exclusively with the Caiman Ecological Refuge (a private ranch), The Onçafari Project protects and studies jaguars while also promoting responsible travel in Brazil’s Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical freshwater wetland. It has succeeded in increasing species numbers by making sure local jaguars are habituated to humans without depending on them for food – they do all their own hunting. Guests can join Onçafari biologists as they conduct research into the big cats, joining them on outings to help monitor the jaguars in their care.’

Leopard tracking in Namibia

5 Recommended by Margaret Haas ‘My guide pointed beneath a tree, and there in the shade was a female leopard. She was wearing a collar that had enabled my guide to identify her location. ‘The data we collect from leopard will help us to determine how best to rehabilitate big cats and prevent them from disrupting local farmers’ livelihoods,’ he explained. Staying in Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve, you can track and view wild leopard on game drives as part of The AfriCat Foundation’s research, which your stay helps to fund. Plus, because it’s difficult to encounter these elusive species elsewhere in Namibia, it’s a win-win experience.’

Observing pandas in China

3 Recommended by Lucy Halvorson ‘There’s no better place to see pandas responsibly than at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, which works to educate and raise awareness of the need to preserve pandas’ habitats. You watch pandas lolling, climbing, and snoozing among bamboo forest – the base has faithfully recreated their original, large environment. Visit between October and November, when cooler temperatures mean that these notoriously docile creatures become more energetic. Also, at this time of year, you’ll likely watch young cubs playfighting and getting to know their

Seeking wild elephants

6 in Thailand

Recommended by Lindsey Coleman ‘Thailand is well known for its elephant sanctuaries, but Kui Buri National Park in central Thailand has a healthy population of wild herds. You’ll follow a set route in an open-top 4x4 in search of them. When we set off, I asked my guide about the likelihood of seeing elephants. He laughed, ‘I’ve seen them every time,’ although he was quick to add, ‘there might be an unlucky day’. We journeyed to a viewing point deep into the park. Down in the long grass, I could see a herd exceeding 40 elephants. Focusing my binoculars, I could see tiny youngsters tucked under their mothers.’

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