Eco-tourism is the new buzz in the tourism industry, and so it should be, as tourists stamp their eco-footprint around the globe.
Eco-tourism respects the culture, natural history and environment of destinations and seeks to support conservation efforts, and minimize the negative impact of travel on the environment.
One of five finalists for The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) Innovation Award 2010, Raw Wildlife Encounters, (RWE) is one such eco-travel agency doing its bit for conservation.
Jessica McKelson, who is Supervisor Primates at Melbourne Zoo, is the founder director of RWE.
Ms McKelson was inspired after visiting Indonesia’s orangutans 10 years ago, and seeing first hand, the work needed to conserve natural habitats.
After witnessing so much destruction and seeing how much influence other countries and international companies were having in Indonesia, she felt compelled to act.
RWE offers eco-adventure travel that supports key conservation programs and community developments.
It gives travellers the option to participate in a ‘GREEN’ adventure, these unique and ethically responsible tours are led by wildlife professionals in the field.
“My aim is to deliver high-quality travel encounters that provide our guests with life-changing experiences” Ms McKelson said.
One eco-tour offered by RWE travels to North Sumatra, educating tourists about the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan.
According to Ms McKelson, in 2004, between 4000 and 6000 orangutans lived in the wild in Sumatra; less than 14 per cent of the population that existed 60 years ago.
Efforts to prevent the primate’s extinction are a race against time for conservationists.
“Awareness of the urgency to save these animals is increasing as more travellers opt for eco-tours to Sumatra” she said.
Ms McKelson tells of an incidence where Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) rescued an orangutan in 2004 and released him into the wild a few months later.
Two years later, he was shot 62 times with an air rifle, including in the eyes, rendering him totally blind.
Although he recovered, and is now 14 years old, he can never be released into the wild.
Ms McKelson says “he is one of five at SOCP’s orangutan quarantine facility near Medan, North Sumatra that cannot be released” and “these animals are currently housed in cages that are inadequate as permanent homes.”
Director of Conservation at PanEco, one of many international organisations that fund SOCP, Ian Singleton says; “An ideal solution would be to find some land, about three or four hectares, with a clean water supply, on which to construct a number of small enclosures.”
It is becoming increasingly hard to find land appropriate for the tree dwelling orang-utans, due illegal logging and clearing of forests for palm oil and rubber tree plantations.
“Logging has devastated 80 per cent of their habitat over the last 20 years” said Ms McKelson.
Many SOCP rescued orang-utans were previously illegally held pets, and the number of offspring being stolen for the pet trade is another worrying concern.
RWE contributes financial assistance to SOCP and has helped with “building SOCP’s much needed orangutan baby house along with new quarantine caging facilities for rescued orphans” said Ms McKelson.
“RWE believes that the more people are aware and educated about the plight of the orang-utans, the better chance these animals have of surviving.”
To find out more about Raw Wildlife Encounters visit www.rawildlife.com.au
You can also sign up for their e-newsletter by emailing ‘Raw Supporter’ along with your name and email to info@rawildlife.com.au
