Contributions of non-consumptive wildlife tourism to conservation.

Abstract

Wildlife tourism has the potential to contribute to conservation through a variety of mechanisms. This chapter presents a preliminary assessment of the extent to which this potential is currently being realized, comparing tourism based on viewing of animals in captive settings (with a focus on federated zoos) with that in free-ranging situations (wildlife watching). The key mechanisms involved are: direct wildlife management and research; use of income derived from wildlife tourism to fund conservation; education of visitors to behave in a more conservation-friendly manner; political lobbying in support of conservation; and provision of a socioeconomic incentive for conservation. All of these occur in at least some zoos and wildlife-watching situations, and collectively the contribution of non-consumptive wildlife tourism to conservation is significant, though impossible to quantify. The key strengths of the zoo sector in this regard are its inputs into captive breeding and its potential to educate large numbers of people. In contrast, wildlife watching provides significant socioeconomic incentives for conservation of natural habitats. There seem to be significant opportunities for expanding the role of non-consumptive wildlife tourism in conservation.

Business partner or simple catch? The economic value of the sicklefin lemon shark in French Polynesia

“…Monitoring the potential negative effects of feeding sharks The calculation of the economic value of sharks will help demonstrate that non-consumptive wildlife tourism better assists the conservation of vulnerable and endangered species, by attaching economic value to wildlife, which speaks to decision makers, and by educating tourists about the need for conservation (Halpenny 2003;Higginbottom et al 2003;Topelko and Dearden 2005). However, care must be taken to anticipate and alleviate possible negative effects of shark diving ecotourism on shark behaviour, habitat and ecology (Orams 2002;Walker 2002).…”

“…By attaching economic value to wildlife and educating tourists about the need for conservation, researchers can use wildlife tourism as leverage for the conservation of vulnerable and endangered species (Bookbinder et al 1998;Higginbottom et al 2003). At present, whale-watching takes place on all continents in more than 500 communities in over 70 countries, and targets over 600 regional populations of cetaceans (Hoyt 2007).…”

Recent status of Banteng (Bos Javanicus) conservation in East Java and its perspectives on ecotourism planning

“…Higginbottom et al, [10] argues that the benefits of wildlife tourism for conservations are numerous, encompasses (1) attention to animals will increasing, particularly in wildlife management practices and research, (2) providing finding support for wildlife conservation, (3) allowing education for conservation, (4) enhancing political will to support biodiversity conservation, and (5) serving socio-economic incentives for conservation. Those promises seem to be a win-win solution for economic growth and conservation purposes, and allowing sustainable uses of natural resources.…”

Wildlife viewing in the mountain national parks of Canada: An experiential view.

“…described a series o f multiple encounters with bears while on a biking trail: This aligns with the notion that wildlife tourism can lead to subsequent involvement with wildlife conservation or research, and enhanced perception o f the value o f the natural environment (Higginbottom and Tribe, 2004).…”

“…The ways in which wildlife tourism is potentially associated with 16 conservation benefits can be organized into a three main categories (Higginbottom and Tribe, 2004): (1) direct wildlife management and supporting research, (2) use o f income derived from wildlife tourism to fund conservation initiatives, and (3) education o f visitors to encourage support or enhance conservation. In turn, interpretive education can promote more responsible behaviour towards wildlife, involvement in wildlife conservation or research, increased donations towards conservation, and a higher level of overall satisfaction (Higginbottom and Tribe, 2004).…”