Even though human depredation, insensitivity, and pollution have taken a great toll on the planet’s wildlife, there is still quite a number of wildlife attractions that eco-tourists would love to visit. Some top recommendations:
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
One of the most famous animal menageries of plant Earth, the Galapagos Islands is situated some 600 miles off Ecuador’s coast. They are exceptional because of the presence of countless unique species that are a result of the complete isolation from the rest of the world. The huge assortment of wildlife is also very easy to observe because they have not yet discovered how dangerous human beings can be. The Galapagos tortoise is the perhaps the best-known denizen here; they can live for more than 150 years. The marine iguana is the world’s only iguana to adapt to a life in water. There are a huge number of bird species, and the sight of the penguins, albatrosses, boobies, gulls, pelicans, and the flightless cormorants is a huge tourist attraction. A large number of whales, sea lions and dolphins are a great source of delight too.
The Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is so extensive that it lies across various countries like Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Bolivia, and Venezuela. One of the best ways of getting a close-up view of the natural beauty of the rainforests and the great biodiversity is approaching it via the Napo River that flows through Ecuador. You can stay in a variety of tourist lodges that will offer excellent vantage points for animal sighting, birding, board-walking, or even a walk above the canopy of the lush green forest.
Tadoba National Park, India
One of the 43 tiger reserves dedicated by the Government of India for tiger conservation, Tadoba Andhari Reserve covers a mammoth 241.5 sq. miles in the central Indian state of Maharashtra. The topography of the reserve is fascinating; on the western side, you have hills that are densely forested, while the 300 acre Tadoba Lake lies to the southwest. The lake acts as a natural source of water for a whole host of wildlife including tigers, deer, leopards, and crocodiles to name just a few. One can find wildlife also congregating at the Kolsa Lake and Andhari River. Tadoba has really dense forests interspersed by deep valleys and verdant meadows. It is relatively easier to spot the famous tigers as the density is among the highest in the country. The park is among the very few that stays open throughout the year, though during the monsoons there are some restrictions. The best time to visit is during the winter as the climate is pleasanter, and the vegetation less dense making animal-spotting easier. To know more, visit http://tigersheavenresort.co.in/.
Borneo
Pat of the Malay Peninsula, Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. It is home to the famous Sumatran rhinos as well as Asian elephants and remains one of the last habitats of the critically endangered orangutans. You can visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to see for yourself these amazing creatures and also feed them as they are nursed back to health for impending release back into the jungles. Wildlife travelers have it really good over here because of the huge assortment of wildlife; the number of bird species is itself over 400! Ecotourism thrives in this patch of the world; climbing Mount Kinabalu, snorkeling in the warm seas nearby, and watching the laying of eggs of the sea turtles are some of the prime reasons why tourists head here in large numbers from all over the globe.
Sea of Cortez, Mexico
Situated between the Mexican mainland and the Baja California peninsular strip, this marine hotspot draws tourist traffic from all over the world for the great variety of aquatic life that feeds on the rich nutrients found in the waters. Home to large populations of whale sharks, manta rays, sea lions, sea turtles, dolphins, as well as ten different varieties of whales and a large assortment of shorebirds, the Sea of Cortez has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Highlights of the visit can be a sighting of the blue whale, the world’s largest animal, snorkeling with the whale sharks or frolicking with the playful dolphins.
