Ein prächtiger Tapanuli-Orang-Utan (Pongo tapanuliensis) im Batang Toru Forest auf Sumatra | Foto: Tim Laman, Lizenz: CC BY 4.0

Dangers of ecotourism: Proximity and infections

Published on knowablemagazine.org the 15.10.2018. | By: Bob Holmes

Ecotourism, which is partly falsely presented as an alternative to zoo visits, often harms the animals. The proximity and the risk of infection for wild animals are too high.

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Note: In modern zoos and aquariums it can come to close contact between animals and humans, these animals however, are looked after by experts and constantly under veterinarian surveillance. This is not the case with wild animals. If it were to come to infection, in the zoological facilities it could be treated – but wild animals not seldomly die of it and spread it amongst the population.

But even if there is no infection, such proximity to wild animals is always questionable, it can influence the animals behaviour. One example amongst many is, that human-animal-conflicts are aggravated. If certain wild animals have positive experiences with humans, they will also seek other humans. Dolphins who have been fed, caressed or otherwise rewarded, from a boat, will also come close to other boats. But perhaps the people on the other boat aren´t so kind and recklessly drive over them, leaving them injured behind.

More on the topic

Robben, die über Klippen springen

Eisbär-Unfall zeigt den Irrtum des Ökotourismus

Ökotourismus vs. Zoos: Besser in der Wildbahn Tiere betrachten?

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