The World's Best Locations For Wildlife
Below is a compilation of some of the world's best locations to
view wildlife in their natural habitats. Granted some of the locations are
remote & difficult to get to, but that serenity is the reason they're here in
the first place. These locations aren't ranked based on their multitude of
wildlife, but more on the uniqueness of the experience they offer.
10.
Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming,
United States
The world's first national park, having been inaugurated in 1872, the park is
the focal point of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact
ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere. Its local occupancy includes Gray Wolves,
Bison, Grizzly Bears, & almost 60 other mammals. One of the more popular
settings to make this assemblage, Yellowstone has been an American family road
trip tradition since the invention of the automobile with at least two million
visitors to the park every year. Things weren't always so rosy though, such as
the park's initiative in the early 20th
century to control the local wolf population which resulted in their near
extinction from the ecosystem & their subsequent addition to the endangered
species list. That said the park has the best wildlife
viewing on the United States mainland.
9. Churchill,
Manitoba, Canada
In the far north of Canada, on the Hudson's western shores lies the world's
largest Polar Bear denning area. Visitors to the region take tundra buggies over
the frozen ice for the chance to view polar bears in their natural habitat, many
mothers with young cubs, usually seen in close proximity to the vehicles. To top
all that off Churchill is one of Canada's best place to observe the Northern
Lights. Fall is the time to visit, as its when the bears are returning to the
ice after the summer, it's also the best time to observe the lights. VIA Rail,
Canada's national rail line offers trains to Churchill from Winnipeg on a
regular basis.
8. Sichuan, China
In the over populated ever expanding country of China, Sichuan is one of the few
wildlife refuges. Stamping ground to over 80% of the world's Giant Pandas, it is
also the botanically richest site of any temperate region in the world. At the
moment the site is still a little hard to get to, but future development plans
are in the works to make it tourist friendly while retaining its ecologically
sound state. River rafting, rock-climbing and bungee-jumping are all things in
the lineup.
7. Madagascar
Often referred to as the "eighth continent" in reference to the island's
break from Africa sometime around 160 million years ago. Madagascar is now home
to one of the world's more diverse eco-systems, housing 100% of the world's
lemurs. It's long absence from a continental body has allowed an entirely unique
set of animal & plant life to develop, making it definitely worth a visit.
Tropical rainforests litter the island, & unspoiled beaches dot the coast, the
easiest way to reach Madagascar is by flight from either South Africa or France.
Seeing as the island was a French colony, there are regular flights from Paris
to its capital of Antananarivo.
6.
Antarctica
By far the most remote destination to make the cut, Antarctica is deserving if
only because there is no place this untouched by the hand of man. One doesn't
generally think of Antarctica as bustling with wildlife, but it's home to
virtually the entire world's population of penguins, & a fair share of seals as
well. One island alone (Macquarie Island) is home to three million Royal
Penguins. There are dozens of cruises to Antarctica every season (Southern
Hemisphere summer), with most offering opportunities to go on land & view the
wildlife up close.
5.
Democratic Republic of Congo
A volatile nation distraught with civil war may not seem too high on
your list of places to visit, but the Congo does have a few things going for it,
namely it's being home to the world's largest population of Lowland Gorillas, &
is one of only three countries to house the captivating Mountain Gorilla.
However with only an estimated 750 left in existence you'd be wise to visit
soon. If only they could manage to make their civil war a little less
bothersome.
4.
Alaska, United
States
"The Last Frontier", Alaska is 650,000 square miles of isolated tranquility.
While having a sparse human population, Alaska has a vivid wildlife residency,
with everything from Kodiak Bears to Bald Eagles & a beautiful landscape to
boot. If you're looking for a truly unique experience try taking a dogsledding
adventure through the wilderness. It'll provide you with ample opportunities to
get in touch with your "inner self", & probably provide you with an Aurora
Borealis sighting or two as well.
3. Amazon Rainforest,
Brazil
The Amazon has the world's highest diversity of birds & freshwater fish., it
spans the borders of eight countries, & one third of the world's animal species
call it their home. However despite its beauty & necessity to this planet's
environmental security, logging persists at an almost unchecked rate. The Amazon
has lost an area the size of Greece over the last five years alone. Yet another
of earth's longstanding pillars made fragile by the hand of man. This only makes
environmentally friendly tourism to the region even more imperative. People need
to understand that the quick buck from deforestation doesn't compare to the long
term viability of sustainable tourism.
2.
Galapagos Islands,
Ecuador
Located over 600 miles west of the South American continent this small island
chain is one of the world's most beautiful & unique destinations. Sporting a
diverse & un-encroached wildlife the Galapagos Islands were the setting in which
geologist Charles Darwin found himself immersed when he developed his theory of
evolution. He had noticed that the plant & animal life of the islands were
unique from any other he had seen, & that they seem adapted to the local
environment. Home to Green Sea Turtles, Sea Lions, & the iconic Galapagos Land
Iguana. Tourism to the islands is quite difficult however, with an annual
imposed cap of 60,000 visitors. The majority of whom come by cruise ship from
Ecuador. It's not cheap, but if you have the resources, it's worth it.
1. Botswana
Botswana is nourished and well preserved by mother nature. Boasting one of the
world's most sound & protective environmental policy. Botswana has geared itself
to the upmarket eco-tourist in an effort to reduce impact on the wildlife, but
bring much needed financial resources to the nation. The Okavango Delta region
in particular is renowned for its animal diversity with big names such as,
Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, Giraffes, & every other possible
African animal you could imagine. There's nothing quite like staying in a
luxurious 5-star lodge surrounded by the planet's most beautiful wildlife.
*Article written in whole by Dakota Smith.
