Month: April 2022

Have you heard of the Anthropocene? It’s the name scientists have given to the new geological era we’ve entered. Sadly, this new era is defined by humanity’s severe impact on climate and natural ecosystems. It’s a time marked by rapid biodiversity loss and declining wildlife populations worldwide. 

A recent report by leading international wildlife conservation organisation WWF offers a sense of the problem’s scale. Their report found that global wildlife populations fell by an alarming 68 per cent, on average, between 1970 and 2016. That makes wildlife conservation one of the most important issues of our time. 

Travelling to the Asia and Pacific region gives you a valuable chance to expand your awareness of species loss and what changes you can make to help protect wildlife. Where better to learn about wildlife conservation than in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots? 

The region’s tropical forests, coral reefs and large river deltas are home to countless unique species of wildlife, many of which are in urgent need of protection. Learning about this problem is the first step to turning it around. 

Perhaps you’re travelling on a student trip, and would like to learn about wildlife protection for your school’s geography, sustainability or environmental science curriculum? Maybe you’re taking a private tour with eco-conscious friends and family members, and want to make a difference? You might even be travelling as part a special interest group of nature photographers? Whatever your group’s interests and needs, learning about wildlife conservation can fit easily into your itinerary. 

On tour, we’ll connect you with local ecology experts who’ll deepen your understanding of how wildlife species are being threatened. You’ll hear from the likes of national park rangers, ecologists, conservationists and even wildlife activists from local NGOs.

You’ll come away with a better knowledge of a wide range of ecological impacts – from habitat loss and fragmentation to unsustainable hunting and harvesting, the spread of invasive species and disease, poaching, pollution and, of course, climate change. 

No matter which country you’re visiting, there are exciting opportunities to learn. For example: 

• On tour in India you can visit Satpura Tiger Reserve to spot a Bengal tiger, understand human-animal conflict in national parks and learn about ethical tourism and safari ventures. 
• While travelling through Laos, you can study the plight of Asian black bears, find out how to protect their natural habitat and analyse the ethics of bear sanctuaries. 
• On a trip to China, you can discover why giant pandas are facing habitat fragmentation and see conservation in action at Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Centre. 

Along the way, you’ll come to know several local wildlife-focused NGOs. And at the end of your trip, you can choose to nominate any of these organisations for a $50 donation from Edventure Travel. Our $50 traveller gift is part of our commitment to creating positive impact in the places we visit. 

You’ll be pleased to know we also walk the talk back home. Species loss in Australia is just as dire. According to WWF, Australia has ‘the worst mammal extinction rate of any country in the world, and the bushfires of summer 2019-20 have only made it much worse’. 

So, we’re doing our bit to help. In response to the Australian Government listing koalas as an endangered species in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, we’ve adopted a koala to help prevent their extinction on Australia’s east coast. 

Our gift helps ensure sick, injured and vulnerable koalas get the care they need. It also helps fund wildlife corridors to connect fragmented forest habitats, so koalas can move around more safely. With our headquarters in leafy Warrandyte, Victoria, and many of our travellers from Australia too, it’s another way we’re bringing our positive impact pledge alive through our work. 

At Edventure Travel, we can help you engage meaningfully with wildlife conservation as part of your tour. Get in touch today to chat to us about how you can increase your environmental awareness while you travel, by exploring wildlife conservation on your next overseas adventure.