World Expedition - Index

World Expedition - booklet - Index

wildlife
Any experience in the great outdoors cannot avoid coming
into contact with some of the furry, scaly or feathered
local inhabitants. Despite our best planning to minimise the
risk to native wildlife, there are still some ways that our
activities can compromise the ability of these animals to
carry out their important daily routines. In the long term,
these could be harmful to the species being observed.
When they are watching us they are not eating, sleeping,
courting or breeding (usually!) which is what they would
be doing if we were not disturbing them. These impacts
can be critical if the species is already at risk, in breeding
condition, or in highly seasonal climate where animals
need every minute of everyday to replenish their resources
for an approaching winter or dry season.
The following guidelines should be observed:
� Never touch, pat, handle or stretch your hand towards
any wild or domestic animals. Rabies is prevalent in
some areas and can be transferred directly to humans,
so can tetanus, fleas, ticks and many other diseases or
parasites. Bites or scratches can also become infected.
� Some diseases and parasites are directly transferable
from humans to animals, especially to primates. If you
are visiting a primate colony, wild or captive, you should
be in top health with no chest ailments etc.
� Never feed the local wildlife, as it can cause long-term
problems like obesity and diseases such as lumpy jaw.
In addition, it can lead to the build up of large
aggressive populations of a particular species, which
then become dependent on humans, displace other
native species, and suffer starvation when the tourist
season ends. World Expeditions take great care to avoid
feeding native wildlife and goes to the extent of straining
dishwashing water to remove food particles.
� Keep your distance when watching or photographing
animals. We recommend a zoom lens for your camera.
� Keep a minimum distance of 8-12 metres between
yourselves and wild animals such as seals, penguins,
plains animals, etc. Your guide will recommend to you
the best escape distance (for them and you!) for the
specific animal and conditions as they are encountered.
� Your guide will be carrying binoculars for observing
sensitive, dangerous or distant animals.
� Shy, dangerous, rare or sensitive (for example,
breeding, nesting or courting) or female animals with
their young should be given more escape distance and
more respect. Also be sure never to surround or crowd
an animal, or get between mother and offspring as
these situations invariably result in defensive, stressful
and unpredictable behaviour from the animal.
� Try to be as quiet as possible when around animals.
This together with dressing in neutral coloured clothing
will increase the value of the experience to your group
and limit the disturbance to the animals.
� Avoid purchasing goods made from animal products.
The market for these items contributes to the poaching
of animals, even in protected areas. Goods to avoid
include anything made from animal skins, horns, bones,
shells, seashells and some traditional medicines.
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