Undoubtedly one of the strongest arguments supporting ecotourism surrounds the industry’s effect on poaching.

Studies around the world have shown that in areas where Ecotourism plays a vital role in the economy, there is a lower rate of poaching and illegal animal harvesting activities. As with other aspects of ecotourism and environmental protection, it just logically follows that these places that rely so heavily on the environment for their sources of income would want to protect this resource.

One place that exemplifies this effect is the African continent.

Take Hoedspruit for example. This small town in the Limpopo region of South Africa is home to less than four thousand people, but hundreds of native species. Many of them, including rhinos, cheetahs, and South African Wild Dogs, are endangered and on their way to extinction. In the wake of clamour for Ecotourism opportunities and the chance to see these rare species, several travel experiences have provided the small community with not only jobs, but a sudden sense of reliance upon the natural wildlife. Previously in the area, poaching was the highest profit industry. After all, an individual rhino horn can sell for well over thirty-thousand dollars to the right buyer and other select items can rake in similar profits. Now however, individuals who were previously poachers see higher value in protecting these animals and earning steady profits from showing them off on tours and safaris. African Rhino populations in the areas have risen steadily since the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre first began running the area’s first ecotourism experience in the early 2000’s. The Centre’s three week long Wildlife Conservation Experience sees visitors from all over the world and throws ten percent of its profits into anti-poaching and rehabilitation efforts in order to strengthen local wildlife populations and in turn strengthen their business.

Africa isn’t the only region who have found success in stopping poaching however. In Costa Rica the Great green macaw, in Spain the Egyptian vulture, in India the hoolock gibbon, in Namibia the African penguin, in the Savanna African wild dog and cheetahs, and in Brazil golden lion tamarins have all benefited from ecotourism and the connected emotional connection locals suddenly have to the environment.

As previously discussed in situations where Ecotourism is benefiting the environment and acting as a stabilizing, positive force in the constant battle to protect mother nature, there are drawbacks and examples where ecotourism simply isn’t helping to mitigate or decrease poaching.

In Sumatra, Orangutans have been heavily endangered for decades now. Due to a mix of logging practices destroying their natural habitat and developed nations clamoring to take them out of their natural habitat in order to own an Orangutan as a pet, these beautiful creatures’ numbers have consistently been in decline. However, due to their gentle nature and the luscious jungle they call home, this species appeared to be a prime candidate for ecotourism. Unfortunately despite multiple efforts and different organizations attempting different business models, there was at best a minimal effect on the Orangutan’s population in Sumatra. Similar stories can be seen in Sea Lion populations in New Zealand where ecotourism was in fact worsening seal pup deaths and hastening the species decline.

Overall, the argument for ecotourism when it comes to aiding in lowering poaching and promoting specific species health and well being appears to be a strong one. If there is one theme to be taken away from all of this blog’s research into ecotourism, it is that this isn’t a blanket solution that works stunningly in every instance. The issue of Ecotourism and sustainability as a whole is a complex one that deserves a careful and leveled eye at every stage, but the sheer body of evidence supporting ecotourism in regards to this specific topic is to great to ignore. Especially given the fact that many scientists agree the earth is currently in a near ice-age level extinction rate, preserving whatever species society can is of the utmost importance. Ecotourism needs to be considered a viable and valuable option within this debate.

SOURCES

“A Unique Strength: How Ecotourism Can Save the Wild.” Red Panda Network, redpandanetwork.org/a-unique-strength-how-ecotourism-can-save-the-wild/.

Castley, Guy, et al. “Going on Safari? Research Shows Ecotourism Can Help Save Threatened Species.” The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2018, theconversation.com/going-on-safari-research-shows-ecotourism-can-help-save-threatened-species-54746.

“Ecotourism: What’s Stopping Us?” Global Wildlife Conservation Group, sites.utexas.edu/wildlife/2015/04/17/ecotourism-whats-stopping-us/.

Weiner, Eric. “Ecotourism: Can It Protect the Planet?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 May 1991, www.nytimes.com/1991/05/19/travel/ecotourism-can-it-protect-the-planet.html.