HANGING IN the balance

Loss of habitat, poaching and the devastating impacts of climate change have seen thousands of species threatened with extinction, but responsible wildlife tourism can play an important role in their survival, writes Aleney de Winter.

Humans have been captivated by wild animals since the dawn of time, paying homage to them in art, folklore, and fables. Now, with thousands of species threatened with extinction, there’s a strong probability that instead of mythologising them, we will soon be eulogising them.

According to figures by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, more than 40,000 of the 142,500 species assessed are on the brink of extinction. It’s a figure scientists are working to reverse, or at least slow.

Responsible wildlife tourism plays a strong part in bringing some of these species back from the brink, particularly because tourists who seek out animals on their travels are often not aware they are inadvertently contributing to their suffering.

Here, we feature wild beauties that are all on the endangered list, and explain how you can help them.To mitigate the risk of us loving them to death, we all need to increase our efforts. As tourists, the first step is to only support ethical, sustainably run tourism operations like The Travel Corporation, which upholds a strict Animal

Welfare Policy for all wildlife experiences, supported by its not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation, to ensure a travel industry free of animal cruelty. Do your research on any business that works with animals before you visit, as simply adding ‘sanctuary’ to a name does not make it one. Support businesses that invest in protected areas and reserves, conserve and maintain habitats and offer opportunities for communities to improve their livelihoods through tourism-related work. And spread the word, because education is the best weapon against habitat destruction.