WWF Travel Blog

Like the giant panda, the red panda eats primarily bamboo. © Susan A. Mainka / WWF-Canon

No trip to China is complete without a visit to see the giant panda, the country’s unofficial symbol.

But dozens of other wildlife species are found in China too, including these five that you may spot while on WWF’s tour.

Red panda: The bear-bodied, thick-furred species has little resemblance to its distant cousin except for the false thumb it both possesses, which is actually an extension of the wrist bone. The skillful, acrobatic animal stays predominantly in trees, using its tail for balance, and descends to the ground headfirst.

The Asiatic black bear has been the most popular source of gallbladders for traditional Chinese medicine. © Y.-J. Rey-Millet / WWF-Canon

Asiatic black bear: Also known as the moon bear, the Asiatic black bear is easily recognizable thanks to a patch of whitish fur in a crescent-shape on its chest. The species has seen a precipitous decline in its population because of poaching—bear organs are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Yellow-throated marten: The yellow-throated marten looks similar to its relative the weasel, but is distinguishable by its gold and black hair. It can be found both on the ground and in treetops.

Sichuan takin grow a second coat in the winter. © Donald G. Reid / WWF-Canon

Sichuan takin: A goat antelope, the Sichuan takin has a thick golden coat and upturned horns. It makes its home in the mountains during the summer—when it forms large herds—and moves to lower elevations in the winter—when it breaks up into smaller groups.

Blue eared pheasant: The blue eared pheasant has a striking red face, gray-blue feathers, and distinctive white “ears.” This large, hardy bird does well in mountainous forests and is found throughout China.

• Join WWF’s Wild & Ancient China Photo Tour, scheduled for May 27 – June 7, 2012.

Imagine a huge soup plate that slowly fills up with water and overflows in the rainy season, gradually empties during the dry season and then starts to fill up all over again. That image gives a good idea of what the Pantanal is like; a unique, rich, but threatened ecosystem located in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.

• Join WWF’s Brazil: Pantanal, Iguacu & Beyond tour, scheduled for July 25 – August 2, 2012.

© David Lawson / WWF-UK

Just announced: Join WWF’s spring voyage to the Peruvian Amazon, scheduled for March 16-25, 2012, and receive free roundtrip airfare between Lima and Iquitos; a $368 value.

Cruise down the Amazon River on one of WWF’s most popular tours, in search of primates, monkeys, pink river dolphins and myriad bird species. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the ribereño people living in riverside villages and tour Lima and Iquitos.

Travel aboard a newly renovated riverboat with classic touches. Aquamarina limits the number of guests to just 22, providing an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.

Learn more about this tour.

People are the new species in the Galapagos, having first set foot on the islands in the 1800s. © James W. Thorsell / WWF-Canon

The Galapagos Islands continue to call to increasing numbers of visitors — from a few thousand annually in the 1960s to more than 170,000 today. The purpose of the Galapagos National Park authority’s new regulations that will go into effect on February 1, 2012, is to enhance those travelers’ experiences while protecting the fragile ecosystems of what were once known simply as the “enchanted islands.”

Several recent news stories regarding the new regulations have either caused confusion or spread misinformation. In reality, while most tour providers were limited to seven-night itineraries under the old regulations (with only a few authorized to conduct 10-night or 14-night trips), the new regulations require that cruises in the Galapagos operate on a 15-day/14-night schedule. Operators may divide that span of time into a maximum of four segments. It is believed that most tour operators will split their itineraries into: 1) two, seven-night trips; 2) two, five-night tours and one, four-night trip; 3) two, four-night tours and one, six-night trip; or 4) two, four-night and two, three-night trips. During that 15-day timeframe, a boat may not visit the same site twice, with the exception of the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island.

Under the previous regulations, some sites—such as Darwin Bay on Tower (Genovesa) Island and Tagus Cove on Isabela Island—were off-limits to larger vessels. Lifting that ban will result in increased visitor numbers at underused spots and decreased numbers at sites that are becoming imperiled from too much traffic.

For the first half of 2011, the majority of travelers landed at the airport on Baltra Island. A smaller share of visitors landed at the San Crisobal Island airport. By including the requirement in the new regulations that the airport on San Cristóbal be utilized at least once in every 15-day/14-night cruise schedule, some of the tourist pressure on Baltra will also be lightened.

“Based on feedback we’ve received from IGTOA members,” says Matt Kareus, executive director of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, “most seem to see the new rules as a step in the right direction. These regulations will help reduce the impact on certain important sites and should, overall, improve visitor experiences.”

The Galapagos Islands were among the first group of sites added to the World Heritage List in 1978. But in 2007, threats from increasing tourism, overfishing, and encroaching invasive species put the Galapagos on the List of World Heritage in Danger places. However, because of Ecuador’s progress in strengthening conservation measures, the Galapagos were removed from that roster in July 2010.

The new regulations should help ensure that the Galapagos do not become “endangered” again.

-Candice Gaukel Andrews

• Join WWF’s Classic Galapagos Adventure, March 30 – April 9, 2012.

© International Galapagos Tour Operators Association; reprinted with permission

Africa was on readers’ minds in 2011, with three of our top posts dedicated to the continent. © Howard W. Buffett / WWF-US

In 2011 we discussed destinations, interviewed experts and highlighted WWF’s work around the world. Here are 10 of the most read blog posts of the year.

10. Kenya or Tanzania: Which to choose?
We discussed the similarities and differences between these two classic safari destinations.

9. Q-and-A: Northern Great Plains
WWF Program Officer Dennis Jorgensen shared with us his passion for his work in the Northern Great Plains, a WWF priority place.

8. School of Thought: 10 things Micronesia taught us
The South Pacific region is home to the surreal Jellyfish Lake, the addictive betel nut and traditional money that weighs a ton … literally.

7. Nature’s Close Up: A Bornean Primate Slideshow
In the first installment of our slideshow series, we highlighted some of Borneo’s most fascinating primates.

6. In Your Words: The value of nature
We asked, you answered! WWF members shared their top picks for destinations that make them value nature the most.

5. Ten Things to Take on Your African Safari
Blogger Wendy Worral Redal went beyond the typical safari packing list, suggesting some great additions.

4. In Palau, Contending with a Crown of Thorns
A popular WWF snorkeling leader protects Palauan waters from an invasive species, one thrust of a hand-sharpened spear at a time.

3. Top Shot: Kenya
We highlighted a stunning photo of a group of Maasai women.

2. Five myths about Amazon River dolphins
Amazon residents believed that river dolphins held magical powers, which helped keep the species protected.

1. WWF Quiz: Great Apes
Turns out you know your stuff when it comes to orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos.

© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Test your knowledge of the wild world by taking these quizzes on the WWF Travel Blog.

• WWF’s 50th Anniversary

• Bear in Mind

• Birds of the Galapagos

• Endemic species of Madagascar

• Great Apes

An all-weather jacket with a hood is ideal for a cold weather trip. © WWF-US / Elissa Poma

The priority when packing for an expedition to Svalbard, Coastal Alaska or another cold destination is to load up on outerwear. Waterproof jackets and pants aren’t enough; the key to staying warm enough in a cold weather destination is in the accessories.

Here are my picks for the top items to pack for an Arctic cruise—to keep warm and keep you and your electronics properly functioning:

Boots. The No. 1 question we often hear from travelers heading to the Arctic: Do I really need to bring rubber boots? Emphatically and without question, yes! If you forget to bring everything else with you, rubber boots that go at least mid-calf are the single-most important item to pack.

When you leave the ship and go ashore via Zodiac landing craft, you will have to step into icy-cold water at the shoreline. Sometimes the water level is higher than your ankle, so you’ll want taller boots. And oftentimes I hiked in those same boots—some travelers opted to change into their hiking shoes, but I didn’t want to tote the extra items—so make sure yours are comfortable.

Still not convinced? Then just image the fun I would have had in short shoes after inadvertently stepping in a rather deep pile of bull walrus dung at Poolepynten on Svalbard.

Extra gloves. I brought two extra pair. Even waterproof gloves seem to get wet, and no matter how hard you try to keep them dry, they’ll likely get wet during the Zodiac rides.

Sunglasses straps. If you’re prone to lose sunglasses (as I am—I always bring an extra pair), attach a strap to them. I remember one afternoon when we were on deck in Alaska’s Inside Passage, a few whales were spotted offshore. I whipped off my sunglasses to look through my binoculars, not even giving a second thought as to where the glasses went. I figured it out quickly—when something under my boot crunched (yes, making me 0 for 2 for stepping on things I shouldn’t have).

Hand and foot warmers. After an hour-long hike on the soft tundra, followed by some time waiting on the rocky shoreline for our Zodiac commutes back to the ship, my extremities started to feel icy. I tore open a few eco-friendly hand warmers and popped them into my boots and gloves. They made the late-afternoon much more bearable.

Energy bars. Shivering burns calories. So, if you’re a light eater, you could find yourself a little hungry in between meals. Stashing an energy bar or some trail mix in a pocket is a good tide-over snack.

Always-charged camera batteries. Make sure to recharge batteries each evening before bed, or bring extra batteries that will last for the duration of your trip. Some batteries lose juice quicker in cold environments.

-Elissa Poma, WWF

The pronghorn faces many challenges—both natural and manmade—during its seasonal migration from Saskatchewan, Canada to Montana. It is the only large mammal in the southern half of North America exhibiting long-distance migration, one of the most dramatic, yet imperiled, biological phenomena.

WWF’s Dennis Jorgensen was recently featured on an episode of the PBS series This American Land, discussing WWF’s efforts to create large and uninterrupted conservation areas in the Northern Great Plains for the pronghorn (beginning at minute 17).

Travel to the Northern Great Plains during WWF’s Exploring Montana’s Prairies tour, scheduled for June 16 – 24, 2012.

© Carlos Drews / WWF-Canon

Just announced: Take $1,000 per person off our March 30 Galapagos voyage!

We’re making it easier to travel to one of the world’s most fascinating wildlife destinations with this new special offer. Travel March 30-April 9, 2012, aboard a 20-person yacht, and interact with nature like nowhere else on the planet.

With the best guide-to-traveler ratio, our guests are ensured personal encounters with nature. Our renowned expedition leaders perform additional training to guarantee our guests a spectacular experience. Swim and snorkel with sea lions, sunbathe with iguanas, kayak among whales and dolphins, and spend a night in the highlands at an exclusive camp.

Learn more about this tour.

The Galapagos Islands and the rich waters surrounding them are home to nearly 9,000 species. © James Frankham / WWF-Canon

In 1572, a group of Spanish sailors that was fleeing South America was pushed by the South Equatorial Current into the Galapagos Islands. Having no navigational charts with them, the sailors referred to these newly found lands as the Islas Encantadas (Bewitched Islands) because they seemed to appear and disappear before their eyes in the fog and mist. In fact, some seventeenth-century Spaniards who witnessed the same phenomenon claimed that the Galapagos were, in truth, mere shadows and had no physical form at all.

Ever since that time, it seems, people have been drawn to this unique place, from pirates to whalers, scientists to eco-tourists. For the past fourteen years, in fact, the archipelago has seen more than 150,000 annual visitors. But starting on February 1, 2012, there will be new regulations regarding the number of days visitors may spend there and the landings they may make.

The Galapagos National Park authority states that the new regulations were needed in order to protect the local animal and plant life and the islands, which were suffering from over-visitation and erosion. The bonus for travelers is that islands that were previously little frequented will now be opened up for tourism to redistribute some of the current traffic. While many ships’ itineraries have focused mainly on the three islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal for the past fourteen years, the islands of Española, Genovesa and Fernandina will now see more boats arriving.

And, with these new rules in place, says the park authority, less fuel will be consumed and less pollution will be emitted by the yachts, boats and ships working in the islands.

A tourist photographs a Gentoo penguin chick on Half Moond Island, Antarctica. © Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Antarctica put on ice
The Galapagos isn’t the only example of a pristine place that needed to limit tourists in an effort to protect what’s left of it. In 2009, safety fears and concerns about the impact visitors were having on the delicate frozen landscape caused signatories of the Antarctic Treaty — an agreement between forty-eight nations on the use of the continent — to set limits for the number of tourists permitted. In 1992-93, visitors to Antarctica numbered 6,700. By 2009-10, they had risen to more than 40,000. The new rules asked that countries prevent ships with more than five hundred passengers from landing on the continent and to only allow a maximum of one hundred passengers on shore at any given time.

Some would say, however, that elevating places of natural beauty to the status of protected parks or World Heritage Sites is enough. When we start putting quotas on the numbers of people who can visit a given area, we invite a system where access can be bought. And once something is limited, of course, it becomes more expensive in the marketplace. That could lead to having the Earth’s most amazing places being affordable and accessible only by the wealthy.

Do you think our places of natural beauty should have caps on the number of people that may visit them?

-Candice Gaukel Andrews

© Natural Habitat Adventures. Reprinted with permission.