08/13/2020
“Tourism has been the fragile pillar on which thousands of conservation projects stood for decades, helping to protect wild, trafficked and refugee animals, restore vital habitats and educate the public about sustainability. When that pillar crumbled overnight amid global travel bans, the system collapsed.
Wildlife reserves in the developing world are, unlike US National Parks at the moment, empty. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a good thing for the animals.
Not only does the presence of eco-tourists keep poachers and loggers at bay, but at well-managed reserves, their money funds rangers, veterinary programs and animal rescue centers in parts of the globe that lack robust public park systems.
It also provides a vital source of revenue for rural and disenfranchised communities.
A 2019 estimate from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) put the direct value of wildlife tourism at $120 billion. It generates 21.8 million global jobs and is particularly vital in Africa (where it makes up 36.3% of the travel and tourism sector), Latin America (where it's 8.6%) and Asia-Pacific (where it's 5.8%).
This income has virtually evaporated as a result of Covid-19, leaving the animals -- and those who care for and depend on them -- at risk.”
Learn how you can help in the wildlife conservation effort.
You'd think that the sudden collapse in tourism would be a boon for wildlife in national parks and protected areas. But you'd be wrong. Find out why animals are in more peril than ever during the pandemic.
