Bringing Science to Wildlife Tourism: The Influence of Managers' and Scientists' Perceptions

Abstract

Wildlife tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors worldwide. Little is known, however, about its impacts on the wildlife on which it depends. This paper explores, as a first step in addressing this shortcoming, the perceptions held by tour operators, managers and wildlife scientists regarding the role and purpose of scientific research in sustainable wildlife tourism. The study drew on four case studies from Western Australia – two managed attractions and their managers and two wildlife tours and their operators – plus interviews with wildlife scientists. Key findings included a focus by scientists on the conservation biology of threatened species and the 'scientific method'. The influences of the 'scientific community' and 'being a scientist' on scientists were also apparent. Managers and operators, on the other hand, focused on the urgency of scientific knowledge for addressing potential impacts. A major challenge to progressing the scientific attention given to the impacts of tourists on wildlife is closing the perceptual gap between scientists and managers regarding the role and purpose of scientific research in this rapidly growing, dynamic and yet potentially sustainable industry.