Wildlife tips

A rat and an otter that were smuggled in a passenger's hand luggage sparked chaos when they escaped mid-air and bit an air steward’s hand.

The UK government has passed a new law which aims to protect animals used in tourism.

Bull sharks, says marine biologist Ryan Daly, “like to bite.”

If you spend a lot of time outdoors at night in the summer, you might be used to seeing shaky, silhouetted creatures flitting above. Maybe you’ve stopped to watch them skim over your garden at twilight, or you’ve caught them while you’re camping near a lake, or you just sense a brief flash of movement outside your window. Birdwatching is great, but bat-watching is another world entirely.

Environmentalists protested over the weekend at the building site of a new airport in Albania’s south meant to boost tourism but which they say will endanger sanctuaries for some 200 bird species including flamingos and pelicans.

Due to fears of environmental damage caused by tourists, the popular Thai island, Koh Tachai, will close indefinitely on October 15. All marine national parks are closed in Thailand during monsoon season, from mid May to mid October, which means Koh Tachai is no longer allowing tourists. The island is in the Similan National Park and is a popular spot for both Thai and foreign tourists, especially divers.

“It only takes one,” whispers the person next to me.

After years of biting criticism by animal-rights groups and the general public, SeaWorld this week announced that it will immediately cease breeding killer whales, arguably the company’s signature attraction.

These activities are on the bucket list of many tourists—they seem fun, and are often run by companies that promise that their services are “ethical” and “humane”. We’re talking about tourist attractions that sound exciting and exotic but are actually very cruel and harmful to animals.

This year our national neighbors to the north celebrate their 150th anniversary and we’ll be celebrating with them as they do. Each month we’ll focus on one part of their magnificent country and share it with you. From sky-high trees and brown bears in British Columbia to kitchen parties and codfish-kissing in the Maritimes, our toast to Canada will give you well over 150 reasons to make this the year you take the trip. This month, we’re kicking things off in Manitoba, home of the Churchill polar bears and northern lights, plus fun winter festivals in Winnipeg.

We’re proud to align with the new policies of our sister sites TripAdvisor and Viator, and to no longer report on tourism experiences where travelers come into physical contact with captive wild animals or endangered species, including but not limited to elephant rides, “swim with” programs where tourists touch or ride on dolphins, and the petting of captive wild or endangered species.

From the moment I decided to embark on a three-month journey around the Caribbean and Central America, I knew Zika was a possibility. It was impossible not to ignore the headlines. Caused by a bite from the Aedes mosquito, Zika is affecting dozens of countries and territories in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including every single one I planned to visit. Over 400 cases have been diagnosed in the U.S. among travelers who had returned from the tropics. To top it off, there’s still no effective vaccine, so I couldn’t protect myself that way.

Adventure travel company, G Adventures has long been a leader when it comes to socially responsible tourism and animal welfare, and its latest collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute even further sets the company apart.

TripAdvisor (owner of SmarterTravel.com) is among a select few corporations that wear their social conscience on their sleeves, due in large part to the conviction and efforts of company founder and CEO Steve Kaufer. The company’s latest initiative, announced this week: a ban on sales of tickets to animal attractions “where travelers come into physical contact with captive wild animals or endangered species, including but not limited to elephant rides, petting tigers, and swim with dolphin attractions.”

Thanks to tour deals and budget airlines, you don’t necessarily have to spend a small fortune to go on a South African safari anymore—but what if you could experience a bucket-list game drive from the comfort of your computer?

The U.S. National Park Service recently proposed doubling entry fees at the 17 most-popular parks, and one park is now considering creating a reservations system for visitors, the Associated Press reports.