Wildlife Awareness In Other Countries

Wildlife awareness in other countries is not just important because it shows you as a responsible tourist, but because it might save your life.

Slapping the elephant's backside to see how he might react, or throwing stones at that annoying monkey, might seem like a good wheeze, until the elephant stands on your head, or the monkey gets his mates to beat you with a tree branch.

So, be prepared.

Firstly, think about where you're going: on a safari, a whale watching trip off Norway, or a beach holiday in Australia.

If you're on safari, then no doubt your tour operator will have given some basic advice as to what jabs to have, what to take with you in terms of medications and how to behave in front of the animals. You'll want to tell your doctor which country you're visiting and he'll know the likely maladies you might come back with, and give you the appropriate jabs.

You can also help yourself by taking with you some mild medication that might just help with bruising and sores. And when actually on safari, listen to what your highly trained and highly professional guides have to say. If they tell you not to climb down from the vehicle and go over to that lion feeding her cubs, then don't do it. And by the way, when they say don't wear conspicuous clothing, it's good advice. When you're running at high speed through the bush away from the lion, you'll be able to blend in better.

One last point on safari - don't litter. These environments are very sensitive and one dropped plastic water bottle can have awful consequences.

If you're watching whales from the deck of a snug ocean liner, then there's less interaction, but there's a good point to be made here. Do your homework first. Get a book and have a look at what whales look like, the different species and how they behave. This will stop you excitedly pointing at a far-off Norwegian fishing boat and blurting out ".there she blows.".

As to places like Australia, you might think that the wildlife is a very minor concern. But the Aussies have some things you won't appreciate; like Atrax Robustus, or the Sidney Funnel Web spider. It lives in the coastal forests and the females grow to around 36mm in length. Although it prefers insects, snails and small frogs, it does bite humans and the effects are potentially lethal. So even if you think you're off to somewhere safe, always check what may be hiding under the bed.

And don't forget that if you see an animal that is being ill-treated for the pleasure of you as a tourist, do your best to ignore the spectacle. Using bears, or exotic birds as props for photographs is no laughing matter. Usually these animals are kept in poor conditions and are being cruelly exploited to make a dollar out of you. The more you pay these guys, the more they'll keep coming back. Ignore them and you might just help save the lives of animals that were due to be their replacements.

Wildlife awareness in other countries is about being prepared.

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