Wildlife Tourism Fighting Extinction
Healesville Sanctuary. Probably late October 2026
Why should wildlife tourism operations help fight extinction?
There is a mixture of economic, ecological and social responsibility reasons.
- Wildlife tourism (safaris, zoos, sanctuaries etc.) can’t happen without wildlife.
- Wildlife and wildlife habitat and in peril throughout the world
- Some of these species and habitats (rhinos, gorillas, rainforests, coral reefs …) are well known tourist drawcards
- Others are less well-known but could become famous and draw tourists (numbers, greater gliders, estuaries …)
- Tourism always has some impact while making money from wildlife and wild places, and with that comes a responsibility to minimise damage and where possible contribute to protection and restoration
- Many travellers are now far more sophisticated and knowledgeable about conservation issues compared to what was true a few decades ago, and are more likely to choose operations that generally support and assist conservation
Ways wildlife tourism can assist:
- Minimising our own impacts on species and habitats
- Preserving and restoring habitat
- Captive breeding and release
- Supporting anti-poaching
- Educating travellers and locals (including governments)
- Donating to conservation projects
- Assisting conservation-related research (directly or indirectly)
Our main venue: Healesville Sanctuary
Details soon
Our host fo the mid-conference tour and dinner: Moonlit Sanctuary
Details soon