Disturbing Skippy on Tour: Does It Really Matter? Ecological and Ethical Implications of Disturbing Wildlife

摘要: “What does it matter if a few Skippies are disturbed?” was the rhetorical retort of one tourism operator to idea minimal-impact wildlife-viewing. The most reasonable answer this would probably be “maybe not at all or maybe quite lot, depending on situation”. Wildlife tourism, even with some unavoidable impacts, is often better than alternative land uses, but should conducted responsibly, view minimising impact animal welfare and conservation as well consideration other tour operations local residents. This chapter explores ethical considerations disturbance wildlife tour, including driving animals away from feeding, breeding resting areas, feeding stress related close approach activity, in both wild captive situations. Most what we know so far involves effects individual animals. Further research needed how much disturbances influence population numbers understand implications, which can also important for satisfaction human residents visitors who want continue watching wildlife. More aspects such activities that may cause serious levels determine same.