Aggressive tourism a problem for wildlife

[baxterb]

I would not endure the flight over there to participate in this if the whole thing were free. I’d rather go to a zoo, at least there’s a fence to keep the assholes at a distance and you can walk away if the greenie’s commentary becomes more than you can stand. YouTube is full of these types of videos.

I went to Kenya for 11 days...during the long rains... stayed mostly north and on the Laikipia plateau. We saw exactly ONE other truck in the entire of Meru park and less than a handful around Samburu - none in the back of beyond areas. on Ol Pejeta we saw one truck from Sweetwaters camp and one from a neighboring camp who happened to be filmmaker Warren Samuels. It is very quiet up there during the rains...

 

[Dinsdale]

I don't have a problem with photo safaris or outfitters that exclusively or in addition to hunting safaris providing they operate in a respectful manner. Example being: restricting a (as in one, maybe, but no more than, two) vehicle(s) at one time to operate on a {relative term} schedule, and on a regular/ routine trail/ path/ (dirt/earthen) roadway that is less destructive to wildlife habitat and less intrusive to the natural behavior of wildlife.

The Sabi Sands (South Africa, open to Kruger) works very close to this.

Initial vehicle controls the site, up to 3 vehicles only. The original vehicle gets to stay, the others rotate in and out with others interested depending on demand. Big 5 finds are called in across an open radio channel so guides can figure out drive times across properties and if they want to get on the schedule. They also limit number of vehicles traversing any one property at a time so everyone doesn’t keep encountering other cars other then the main access roads.

Guides can off road only for leopard, lion, and wild dogs.

I stayed in western sector of the Sands. Had long encounters with 5 different leopards in one day, including a female with 2 cubs, only twice did anyone else even share the sightings. Amazing place to take a camera, especially for relaxed leopard.

 

[Sue Tidwell]

I haven’t read those books. The names sure grab my attention though. Are they good?

 

[Silvine]

“Aggressive tourism” how do they come up with these terms and names?

 

[Philip Glass]

As we have all been saying...

The Cheetahs Made a Kill. Then the Safari Trucks Swarmed In.

A video showing dozens of vehicles moving in on a pair of big cats in a Kenyan game reserve highlights how “aggressive tourism” can put endangered animals at even greater risk.

www-nytimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org

This is why I have no interest in a photo safari!