What do you get when you combine education, traveling, and exotic plants and animals? The answer: ecotourism. But does ecotourism endanger the very animals it seeks to protect?
Ecotourism refers to travel in natural areas that “promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Most importantly, however, the IUCN points out that ecotourism must be environmentally responsible. While many ecotourism organizations work with local cultures and communities, the people of the region ultimately know the land and environment best. Their voices are often left out in favor of large, wealthy organizations that value profit over protection.
Ecotourism harms more than helps, even when people have good intentions. Animal activist organizations like PETA speak out against ecotourism activities such as elephant riding, saying high demand for this attraction leads to harsh treatment and overworking of the animals. The presence of human tourists alone can impact the behavior of animals and the growth of the environment. Daniel Blumstein, the chair of the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, led a research study about animals that are tamed after regularly interacting with humans, a process called habituation. According to Blumstein, habituation can make species more vulnerable to predators. “I think one has to always realize that you can’t observe a system without influencing it,” Blumstein said.
Even when ecotourism companies are careful not to endanger wildlife, ecotourism can still pose health and safety risks to tourists. The ancient Gomantong Cave, a popular tourist spot in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, is home to millions of virus-carrying bats. Scientists found 48 other viruses in the surrounding rainforest as well, according to NPR. There’s not enough research to say for sure if these viruses can infect humans, and so far no human has reported getting sick there, but the threat of disease is still troubling. “We need to recognize that there may be potential health risks when people and wildlife come together,” disease ecologist Kevin Olival told NPR.
Ecotourism has been growing 20–34% per year since the 1990’s, according to author and researcher Lisa Mastny. And despite the growth of this industry, there is little government and legislative involvement. This dangerous lack of regulation means that companies may put both animals and humans at risk but face few consequences. Christie Wilcox of the Washington Post reported in 2015 that “formal regulations, if imposed, are still years away.”
Ecotourism can inspire conservation and activism for a good cause, but the risks outweigh the benefits.
