{"id":2188281,"date":"2025-09-04T12:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T11:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2188281"},"modified":"2025-08-30T09:01:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T08:01:20","slug":"the-safari-industrys-conservation-washing-is-a-growing-problem-commentary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/the-safari-industrys-conservation-washing-is-a-growing-problem-commentary\/","title":{"rendered":"The safari industry\u2019s \u2018conservation-washing\u2019 is a growing problem (commentary)"},"content":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t need safari experience to understand the allure: spotting majestic wildlife in sweeping landscapes is inherently captivating, and it\u2019s the reason this type of adventure travel has stood the test of time. But while many safari tour operators tout their focus on protecting the animals, environments and local communities that travelers are immersed in during their trip, greenwashing \u2014 or perhaps more accurately, \u201cconservation-washing\u201d \u2014 in safari travel is a growing problem.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been an Africa enthusiast since elementary school, and a safari tour guide for more than 35 years. During that time, I\u2019ve seen the incredible things that these trips can teach travelers about our natural world, and the good that safari tourism can do for local communities and conservation efforts. I\u2019ve also seen the darker side of the industry, where tours are based solely around the spectacle of seeing a specific animal, no matter the cost.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that adventure travelers understand the difference between being a citizen of the wild and merely a paying visitor.<\/p>\n

\"Children
Children cheering the arrival of two new rhinos into their community rhino conservation program. The community is set to benefit from the tourism these rhinos will generate. Image courtesy of James Ward \/ Rewild Safaris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The negatives of \u201cskin-deep conservation\u201d are many, but some stand out as the most detrimental:<\/p>\n

Predator baiting and animal habituation<\/h2>\n

I know as well as anyone the disappointment of not being able to secure a genuine wildlife sighting, despite everything else being perfect. But when the risk of a no-show leads to unethical practices, a line must be drawn. In some instances, a tour provider may facilitate a wildlife sighting by baiting predatory animals or habituating wildlife to human presence. This not only increases the odds of a potentially dangerous encounter, it also disrupts the natural order and skews animal behavior in a dramatic way. Animal welfare should always come first.<\/p>\n

Overuse and abuse of natural resources<\/h2>\n

In regions enduring drought conditions (seasonal or otherwise) or lacking infrastructure, the overuse of natural resources can exacerbate environmental degradation. Tour providers can still offer luxurious lodge accommodations to travelers without harming the local environment or exploiting scarce resources relied upon by local communities.<\/p>\n

Modifying game trails and removing vegetation are other unethical practices that some tour providers might engage in, hoping to curate the experience rather than offering travelers a true glimpse of nature. These alterations can have a cascading effect on wildlife behavior and threaten the integrity of their habitat.<\/p>\n

Exclusion of conservation experts<\/h2>\n

True conservation requires collaboration with both local experts and organizations that specialize in each region\u2019s natural ecosystem. A tour operator that isn\u2019t actually interested in conservation may tout the name of a conservation group without actively engaging with them or bringing them into the tour planning process.<\/p>\n

This deprives both tour guides and travelers of valuable educational opportunities. Leaving these valuable scientific insights on the table is a clear sign that a tour company is interested in using conservation as a selling point, rather than abiding by a conservation-centric ethos.<\/p>\n

\"A
A wildlife guide feeds a lemur in a park in Madagascar, where animals are baited to get better photos and a closer experience for tourists. Image courtesy of James Ward \/ Rewild Safaris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exploitation of local communities<\/h2>\n

It is our mandate as safari tour guides to work hand in hand with local communities whenever possible. These individuals live and work year-round in the destinations we merely visit, and it is vital that we listen and learn from them. Some safari operations treat these individuals like second-class citizens, offering exploitative wages and doing little to build goodwill. This inevitably fosters resentment, which can further hinder genuine conservation initiatives in these areas.<\/p>\n

How to identify authentic conservation<\/h2>\n

Travelers seeking safari experiences that benefit the animals, habitat and locals they see along the way should do what they can to verify their chosen tour operator\u2019s commitments to conservation:<\/p>\n