Apex Predators and Ecotourism

Conservation of Apex predators through the integration of tourism has been the best approach to this agenda. Ecotourism shows great potential in predator-focused wildlife conservation. This type of conservation is practical for studying the social, behavioral, and biological activities of predators in a confined environment. An additional concern about human safety and their interaction with wild animals increases the complexity of this approach. 

Conditions to be fulfilled to develop an ecosystem for large carnivore wildlife tourism are:

• Strict and effective legal protection laws provided for wildlife and its habitat.
• Protected areas should be devoid of human intervention and distant from regions with dense populations.
• Tourism programs and management must be of high-quality interpretation.
• Consultation and involvement of local authorities in program development and implementation.
• Funds from stakeholders can compensate for local bodies’ losses and opportunity costs.