Wildlife Tourism - Essay Example

? Wildlife Tourism Introduction The tourism industry has increasingly been a stronger contributor to economies worldwide. Directly, tourism is expected to contribute close to 3% of global output for 2011 and is expected to go up to over 4% by the year 2021. However, factoring in related economic activities by tourism, the industry further gives over 9% for 2011 which is expected to rise further to over 9.5% ten years after and still discounting inflationary effects. The industry is also a good employer giving almost 9% of total employment for 2011 and is expected to provide 10% of total employment come 2021 (World Travel & Tourism Council 2011). Tourism is indeed a lucrative business and one of its major attractions is the opportunity for people to see and enjoy nature. Aside from the scenery, tourists are enjoined to experience a closer encounter with wildlife. Hence, wildlife tourism has come to fore as one of the most sought after experience of tourists all over the world. It is quite understandable since the progress of man has been counterproductive to animals. About a century ago, the human population is still small estimated at only 25% of the current headcount. As such, there were bigger lands for animals to roam free. The sea is also teeming with marine life. Thus, stories from grandparents would be filled by the fascinating ways on how these creatures lived and such entertainment always took the fancy of many listeners. Today, most of these stories are shown live on television offering both learning and excitement to the viewer. However, although such a technology had been able to bring in wild animals closer to home, the actual experience is naturally absent. Still, it cannot be denied that because of technology, people today are more informed regarding these creatures (Higginbottom 2004). Thus, with increasing fascination fuelled by the images seen on television, people are driven from their comfortable homes to chase the thrill of experiencing the wild. And, with the economic contribution being provided by tourism, business and governments alike have been more than willing to cater to this demand. Wildlife tourism is not as simple as many would conceive it to be. This activity offers more than just bird watching as the activities may depend on whether the tour is dependent or independent of wild life. Thus, an activity is said to be wildlife dependent if the tour is focused on having actual encounter with wildlife. Hence, the main reason for the tour is the opportunity for the tourist to be able to have some form of interacting with animals by being able to take pictures or videos, tracking the animals or even through hunting and fishing. On the other hand, wildlife independent tourism does not have the actual animal experience as the focus of the activity. Incidental encounters like unplanned sightings and even just by hearing the wild animals satisfies the tour objective (Sinha 2001). Both involve certain disruption to nature but naturally the wildlife dependent activities provide more disruption especially when people hunt wildlife. However, this should not always have to be the case since wildlife is important for this aspect of tourism. And with the money being brought in by the industry then perhaps there can be ways in which the wildlife tourism can help preserve these animals. Main body The wildlife The animals play a key role in wildlife tourism as they are basically the main attractions for wildlife dependent tourism. These animals are gaining attention as evidenced by the increasing number of publications that focuses on wildlife. Likewise, these topics are being more and more integrated to tourism and leisure (Lovelock 2008, Newsome et al 2005 and Topelko and Dearden, 2005). These publications generated additional media mileage for wildlife that have helped integrate activities such as hunting to tourism. Basically, animals are either those in the wild, animals working in farms, pets, animals used as companions and animals that provide assistance. These creatures each have they own roles but all of these contribute to leisure and have been instrumental in the growth of tourism. Likewise, the growing interest for animals have also helped in tourists learn more about these animals and are more aware of the importance of these creatures as well as the different requirements for their survival. Since most of the wild animals are either seen in publications or television, tourists that get to see these creatures up close and personal really value the experience. Curtin (2009) notes that when people are asked to explain such an experience, they find it hard to find the words to describe the experience that they have with their encounter with wildlife. It is quite understandable since the design of nature and the magnificence shown by such ferocious hunters as the tigers and lions, the graceful and friendly dolphins and the massive whales bring an inexplicable joy to people fortunate enough to see them. Hence, this amazement has many tourists hooked up on this type of tourism. However, governments and concerned stakeholders would do well to utilize this amazement and turn it into a driving force necessary for the conservation of wildlife especially since most of these species are on the endangered watch list. Consumption clarification Wildlife tourism can be classified as either consumptive or non-consumptive. However, there is an increasing clamor for ecotourism, classified as non-consumptive, to be properly classified as such. Firstly, consumptive tourism is generally classified as such due to the actual consumption of wildlife as in hunting either for trophy or for food. On the other end, non-consumptive wildlife tourism stems from the fact that there is no actual consumption. This is usually known as ecotourism. Inadvertently, this has been considered a higher form of actual tourism since there is no removal ,as in by hunting, of the species takes place in ecotourism. This dual view is challenged by Campbell and Meletis (2007) bringing forward certain issues that if overlooked may undermine the wildlife affected by tourism. One such issue is the narrowing down of consumption to the direct removal while ignoring the fact that by appreciating nature and its creatures, the tourists visually consume the resources. Although there is no tangible product in the process, the fact remains that certain amount of service was accorded to the tourists. Another concern is that since much attention has been focused on the consumption argument, the other consumptive impacts of ecotourism have been neglected. Generally, these eco tourists are thought to be much more environmental further demonizing consumptive tourists or hunters. However, the environmental impacts that these tourists put on resources especially when traveling to pristine destinations involves pollution inducing travels as well as consumption of resources on hotels. Hence, the promotion of eco tourists as more environmentally is quite misleading. Lastly, if there is consumption of resources then wastes are sure to follow. The problem is that the destinations to view nature at its wonder is often those desolate little virgin islands that have no systematic or technologically updated way of disposing garbage. Since these areas are really far, the garbage problem can multiply significantly with resources by area administrators drastically limited by the costs of effective garbage disposal on such a far flung area. All throughout the 20th century, wildlife tourism has grown significantly helping the tourism industry in host destinations and providing livelihood to people within the area. In fact, Reynolds and Reynolds and Braithwaite (2001) assert that the industry contributes greatly to the foreign currency earning capacity of some countries. Hence, the countries and tourism managers in Africa have somehow developed a menu for the tourist that he can choose from. There are mere nature based tours that is wildlife independent although such is an important aspect of the tour. Others are basically dependent such as tours to areas with high wildlife presence such as areas where wild animals drink water. Some activities even entice wildlife through the provision of food. Some visits are limited to zoos with captive wild animals while others may just settle for certain preferred animals to watch. For those that are more adventurous, these tourists may be brought to the areas where animals usually live. These are of course guided tours and usually with specialized vehicle for the exploration. More so, there are some thrillers wherein usually dangerous species are enticed by the operators to behave in their ferocious manner to the delight of the customers. Then there are hunting and fishing trips and lastly an educational ecotourism tours. Hunting Hunting has been considered on the other side of the tourism industry because of its consumptive nature. Essentially, hunting involves the removal of the species from the habitat. However, not all hunters shoot with bullets since there are many that shoot with cameras. But, in its strictest sense, hunting essentially involves the killing of wild animals for sport. Historically, hunting has been a sport for the nobles usually to demonstrate their skills and their courage. However, recently, those that can afford such an endeavor also go into the hunting game. There are various reasons why hunters go out and kill for trophy. Although upfront it may sound violent, the reasons trophy hunters gave out are quite far from the barbaric stereotype. However, these reasons are quite overlapping and interdependent. Various motivators include those that are spiritual wherein the experience of being in or even one with nature drives these hunters’ desires. They are also driven emotionally by the challenging activity since hunting is really not for the faint of heart. These people are usually experts and professionals since shooting a gun much more hitting with it involves mental discipline. As such, these people thrive on the opportunity to be with other people and cultures as well as new places since these activities enable them to think and be stimulated intellectually. Of course there is also the bragging rights when bagging a prized kill which is an award for their capabilities and of course patience. Hunting is also a waiting game and the victors are mostly those with more patience than those with more bullets. It is obvious however that hunting is a very expensive sport hence executives that have the money and talent use this as an stress reliever and also takes this opportunity to bond with associates, friends and even family (Radder 2005). However, hunting is not necessarily all about sport as not all hunting endeavors are for trophy hunting. Some arises from the need for food while some are environmentally motivated to curtail destructive animals that have become too many due to the absence of a natural neutralizer. However, whatever reasons there may be, hunting has been generally opposed and there are instances when such oppositions become ugly such as when environmental activists confronts marine life hunters to the point of actually causing destruction leading to injuries and arrests (Gunn 2001). However, as mentioned, these hunting activities especially for trophy hunting are usually perpetrated by those with money. It then brings back the fact that tourism has been continually contributing immensely to the economy. Thus, in effect, this activity greatly contributes to the growth of wildlife tourism. Still, hunting has generally been opposed since the very essence of the activity is the killing of the target animal. However, there are areas that promote hunting as a conservation activity. In Nanuvut, Canada, polar bears are hunted with the local aborigines being the main organizers of the hunt. Thus, it has been an important economic contributor since the cost of a polar bear hunt is 20 times the value of a bear that is hunted for their subsistence. Thus, the aborigines have been provided a more profitable livelihood. Aside from the earnings from polar bear hunting, the culture of the aborigines have also been preserved as the economic activity brought back dog mushing, traditional sewing as well as their hunting and survival skills. Traditionally, the hunting right for polar bears belongs to these indigenous people. However, in Canada, the government has allowed the transfer of such rights provided that the Inuits guide the hunters. Also, since the allowable limits are divided among hunting groups, it is also the Inuits that decide how much of the polar bear population are going to be devoted tourism (Dowsley 2009). Another question that comes to mind with regards to hunting relates to animal rights. A very important issue is the suffering of animals. Although most professional hunters clean swiftly causing lesser pain as possible to the animal, there are still instances that they just end up injuring the animal instead of killing it. The problem is that tourist hunters may not be as capable as the expert hunters thereby increasing drastically the risk of animal sufferings. More so, trophy hunters usually target animals that are classified as “charismatic megafauna” which are usually those big animals that basically provides much more bragging rights to the hunter (Gunn 2001). Despite of this, trophy hunting has not really threatened the environment. In fact, species that are hunted commercially can be sustained. Basically, it is in the interest of the hunters to protect their prey from extinction since without this, their sport would basically die down. Still, the fact remains that many species have been pushed to extinction or near extinction by excessive hunting. Fortunately, these animals have been put on the protective list and are no longer commercially hunted. However, these animals face a more virulent threat even on conservation parks from poachers. The high yield of poaching activity especially if humans around conservation parks do not really appreciates these parks’ existence drive people to poach for subsistence. However, there are more dangerous, better organized and heavily funded poaching that tend to decimate the population of wild animals bringing them closer to extinction (Dobson and Lynes 2005). It is quite difficult for the resources stretched rangers to go up against these poachers thus making the battle against these unscrupulous hunters seemingly hopeless. It is then hoped that the introduction of trophy hunting will provide the means to finance these conservation parks to further improve their capabilities to care for the animals under their stewardship. Gunn (2001) further states that conservation which may include trophy hunting is more efficient than trying to protect these animals strictly. Such a move not only provides the budget for increasing funds for the improved protection of these animals but people that may be tempted to hunt for subsistence may then just apply for legal hunting that is of course regulated. Preservation and Protection Preserving and protecting endangered species has been a hotly contested battle between park rangers and poachers. Also, the crowding out of animals wherein humans either pollute or take out their habitat has also exacted a heavy toll on the population of wild animals. Among such animal is the tiger whose numbers have drastically dwindled to merely over 3,000 from over 100,000 in just over a century. The problem is that this very dangerous predator in the wild become prey to humans wherein skins usually go for around $35,000 while some body parts become mementos or made into ingredients for some Asian medicines. Also, some restaurants in Vietnam and China serve tiger as a rare delicacy (Fraser 2010). Clearly, killing tigers is more lucrative than protecting it. Likewise, the ill equipped park guards are unable to check poachers that are clearly profit oriented when hunting. Hence, the World Bank and the World Wildlife Fund have allied themselves along with the countries with tigers to help bring back up the tiger population levels. Although there will be a certain amount to be earmarked for the efforts, the capability to sustain such a move is very important for its success. Hence, one of the key strategies is to develop strategies to finance the efforts that will be initiated. This is where wildlife tourism brings in a promising role. Some experts are espousing tourism to help finance the protection of these animals. Not only that, it is hoped that through a better understanding and appreciation, men would more seriously protect the tiger and help prevent its extinction. The plan is for parks that are managed efficiently which will hopefully increase the number of tourists paving the way for better practice in the treatment and care of the animals. Likewise, the exposure and the tourist visitations would hopefully deter poachers. However, it is really important that such activities are managed strategically so that it will provide a true beneficial solution to the tigers. These animals are dangerous and can kill people but also, the presence of humans may also disturb tigers and other animals that may be under the protection of reserves and conservations. (Rushby 2009). Conclusion Protecting wildlife as well as preserving nature is a gargantuan and costly task. Through the years, strict protection have failed to prevent poachers from decimating wildlife population for subsistence and more so for profit. Hence, the efforts to protect the wild animals seem doomed to fail from the start as it is more economical to kill these animals rather than to protect them. Likewise, poaching has been particularly easy with the limited capabilities of guards guarding the reserves and the parks (Dobson and Lynes 2005). Thus, little have been done to really curb out such illicit activities and stop the decline of the numbers of wildlife. Hence, to possibly turn the tables around, instead of going after poachers then subsistence hunting through tourism has been an emerging solution to the problem. Basically, economic reasons have driven poachers as well as some irresponsible tourism that contributes to garbage in natural areas to further thin out the wildlife population both through killing as well as habitat destruction. Thus, economic problems call for economic solutions wherein hunting that is regulated and strategically managed can not only deter poachers but provide enough livelihood for a better appreciation of these creatures as well as better understanding of the need for their protection. Dowsley (2009) has pointed out the success of the Inuits in polar bear hunting. More so, the activity not only brought in profits from the hunt itself but has even impacted positively to their culture. Such is the benefit of strategically managed wildlife tourism. Hence, it is mutually beneficial for governments, communities and private investors to venture jointly into wildlife tourism. This is currently being adapted in South Africa whereby, since funds are scarce for the communities and governments, they instead share a partnership with investors so as to be able to work as one enterprise. There are a number of ways to do this such as leasing or an equity return for the communities. Also, the communities can control the area leased to institutions that in turn sells the wildlife tourism to hunters. In effect, the area is managed by people that are really taking care and are knowledgeable of the animals so that the hunting activity is regulated. Governments must take a deep role also so that these communities are does not end up short on the bargain (Ashley and Jones 2005). Through this, hunting will be economically beneficial to the community and all stakeholders. This will enable better protection, sustainability of the ecosystem and assurance of funding for developments in the areas as well as for the conservation and protection activities. References Ashley, C and Jones, B 2005, Joint ventures between communities and tourism investors: Experience in South Africa, International Journal of Tourism Research, vol. 3, pp. 407-423. Curtin, S 2009, Wildlife tourism: The intangible, psychological benefits of human-wildlife encounters, Current Issues in Tourism, vol, 12, pp. 451-274. Dobson, A and Lynes, L 2005, How does poaching affect the size of national parks?, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, vol. 23, no.4. Available at: http://www.princeton.edu/~dobber/Articles/Dobson_Lynes_TREE08.pdf Dowsley, M 2009, Inuit-organised polar bear hunting in Nunavut, Canada, Journal of Ecotourism, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 161–175. Fraser, C 2010, As Tigers Near Extinction,A Last-Ditch Strategy Emerges, Yale Biodiversity business & innovation climate energy forests policy & politics pollution & health science & technology Asia. Available at: http://e360.yale.edu/feature/as_tigers_near_extinction_the_world_bank_and_environmental_groups_craft_last-ditch_strategy/2339/ Gunn, A 2001, Environmental ethics and trophy watching, ethics & the environment, Current Issues in Tourism, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 68-95. 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Topelko, K & Dearden, P 2005, The shark watching industry and its potential contribution to shark Conservation, Journal of Ecotourism, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 108–128. World Travel & Tourism Council, 2011, Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2011,World Travel and Tourism Council. Availabe at: http://www.wttc.org/bin/pdf/original_pdf_file/world.pdf Read More