© R.Isotti, A.Cambone – Homo Ambiens / WWF-Canon

As the brilliantly colorful panther chameleon demonstrates, Madagascar is home to extraordinary species. Approximately 92 percent of Madagascar’s reptiles, 68 percent of its plant life and 98 percent of its land mammals exist naturally nowhere else on Earth.

However, demands from today’s global markets threaten diversity on the island of Madagascar. Deforestation, unsustainable agriculture and erosion fueled by human population growth all jeopardize the isolated island’s unique habitats. As a result, several charismatic species, including chameleons and lemurs, that evolved here over millions of years may become extinct before the end of the century.

WWF’s vision is to protect, restore and maintain Madagascar’s biodiversity in harmony with the culture and livelihoods of the local people.

• In 2005, WWF cofounded the Madagascar Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity. The foundation supports efforts of national agencies and local communities against slash-and-burn agriculture and the illegal trade in plants and animals. The foundation is already widely recognized as a “model” foundation for Africa and an anchor for sustainable financing of Madagascar’s protected areas system.
   
• WWF is collaborating with the Malagasy government to triple the area of the country’s protected areas, including marine habitats. Creation of the new protected areas is done in close cooperation with local communities and is expected to generate additional economic benefits through initiatives such as ecotourism. WWF is placing special emphasis on the design of the new protected areas, linking small but critical sites to preserve rare species with limited range as well as conserving vast blocks of forest where migration corridors can be maintained.
   
• WWF and its partners run an Ecology Training Program to educate a new generation of scientists. Malagasy students learn about field survey techniques, conservation biology and taxonomy. Program graduates have made biological inventories, discovered new species and published scientific articles. The program has also developed partnerships with international institutions that provide additional opportunities for the professional and intellectual advancement of Malagasy scientists and students.
   
• WWF protects the simpona, one of the three most critically endangered lemurs in Madagascar. Because of its limited population size, restricted range and the ongoing dual human threats of hunting and deforestation, the wild population is estimated to be fewer than 1,000 individuals. Through a conservation awareness program, WWF educates communities near simpona habitat about the lemur’s importance. WWF is also developing zoning and management objectives, as well as habitat restoration activities. The project aims to produce benefits for local villagers through, for example, community events and clubs, school field trips and increased ecotourism.

Visit Wild Madagascar with WWF, June 23 – July 6, 2011.
 
 
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Borneo's pygmy elephant is the most endangered Asian elephant subspecies. © Dan Winter / WWF-US

WWF’s Dan Winter accompanied our most recent Borneo tour. We caught up with him to get his thoughts on the otherworldy destination.

What was your favorite animal sighting?
We saw so many great animals, both large and small, that picking a favorite is hard!  But I must say that seeing a wild orangutan as we headed up the Kinabatangan River was a thrill.  That great big male orangutan eating fruit high in a tree was a joy to see.

What was your favorite moment of the trip?
One afternoon at Sepilok, we saw a red giant flying squirrel glide between trees.  The group oohed and aahed like it was a fireworks display!

What surprised you most about Borneo?
Borneo has some of the finest resorts anywhere in the world!  We were truly in the lap of luxury in Kota Kinabulu.  And the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley was a close second to that, which is all the more impressive given that it is a long way from the nearest town.

Number one piece of advice for future travelers?
Get your sleep now! There’s so much to see in Borneo that you won’t want to sleep much when you’re there.

What did you take away from this trip?
Seeing the work of WWF make a positive impact on wildlife and communities was very gratifying.  Even more so was seeing that conservation is important to the people of Borneo; the tradition of protecting nature goes back to the founding of Malaysia.

Logging and agriculture are two conservation concerns in Borneo. Did you see evidence of those threats during the trip?
Flying from Kota Kinabulu to Mulu we could see great swaths of forest cleared for agriculture, and our lodge on the Kinabatangan River abutted an oil palm plantation.  We also saw logging trucks on our way into Danum Valley.  In the latter case we knew that the logging concession in the Danum Valley represented sustainable logging which supported conservation work in the reserve.  Finding a balance between commercial activity and nature is a very tricky problem, and we could see many examples of that on our trip.

Join WWF’s 2011 Into the Heart of Borneo tour, June 24 – July 10, 2011.

© Elissa Poma / WWF-US

Snorkeling gives travelers the best of all worlds: The chance to see brilliant and vibrant seascapes without the expense and special training that scuba diving requires. In fact, many of our snorkeling guides no longer strap on their air tanks and descend deep below the surface in scuba gear, because there’s so much to see just below the surface

If you’re considering one of WWF’s highly sought-after snorkeling tours, the following tips are ideal to help beginners and advanced aficionados alike:

10. Suiting up: Most people think wetsuits are only for use in chilly water. But they serve multiple purposes: They’re great at warding off dangerous sunburns, they keep most of your skin shielded from stingy particles in the ocean and they provide buoyancy.

Shorty wetsuits are suitable for nearly all of WWF’s snorkeling tours. One important tip: Don’t forget to put sun block on the backs of your calves, which seems to be the No. 1 spot to burn when you’re snorkeling. (And choose a reef-friendly product.)

9. Floating around: If you aren’t a strong swimmer, don’t have the stamina to stay in the water for a long time or don’t plan to free dive, consider using a float vest (either one that goes around your waist or one that straps across your shoulders). They’re also very helpful in snorkeling spots such as the Raja Ampat Archipelago, where currents can be swift.

8. Take the waters: Most of WWF’s snorkeling trips take place near the equator or in other tropical destinations, including Panama’s Coiba Island. That means the sun is strong and dehydration is common. Even if you’re immersed in water, its salt content will sap your skin of moisture. Make sure to hydrate with water, juice or other non-alcoholic beverages.

7. Flood insurance: If your mask floods with water while snorkeling, beginners can go above the surface to let the water out. An effective advanced technique, however, doesn’t require that you surface.

Merely hold the top center portion of the mask’s faceplate tight to your face – use the back of your hand to hold it steady. Then blow air out of your mouth. The air should force the water out of the looser bottom portion of your mask.

6. Keep your distance: Give marine life space and don’t approach too closely. Even if an animal approaches you – as the sea lions off the coast of Baja California or the Galápagos do on occasion – maintain a safe distance, and do not touch them.

This especially applies to corals. Some are toxic and can cause nasty cuts or even massive infections – not to mention that even an unintended kick to a coral head can damage decades’ worth of growth. During some of our snorkeling outings, the water over reefs is so shallow that you cannot even wear fins – follow your guide’s instructions when visiting these spots.

© Marsea Nelson / WWF-US

5. Test swim: Everyone should test out a new snorkel before going on a trip, but no one more so than a snorkeler with a prescription mask. It is common for small holes or tears to be created when a snorkel is being fitted with specialty lenses. Be sure to test it out with time to get it fixed if needed.

4. Cranium care: Wearing a swim cap or bandana around your head not only keeps hair out of your snorkel but also helps to keep your scalp from burning on a sunny day. An especially good style of bandana to wear is the one that surgeons don in the operating room – the ties prevent them from slipping off. Pick one up from a medical supply company for cheap.

3. Steamy moments: Like the inside of a car during a winter day, a snorkeling masks fogs up because you are generating heat. Prior to hopping in the water, wet the inside of your mask and dump out the water. Then spit into the mask and rub the saliva around before washing it out. This will prevent some degree of fogginess.

Special anti-fog gels are available on the market that work rather well; be sure to choose one that’s non-toxic, biodegradable and alcohol free, for your protection and for the safety of the reefs and their inhabitants.

2. Dive into it: Diving underwater and descending 10 to 30 feet is an advanced snorkeling technique that can add tremendously to the experience. Not only do you get a closer look at things below the sea, but you’ll also get yourself into a better position to snap photographs of supersized coral tables in the Mergui Archipelago or take a closer look at a sea fan in Fiji.

Diving while snorkeling requires that you learn to force your ears to “pop” to equalize pressure and swim below the surface more comfortable. You also need to practice expelling water from your snorkel by forcing a strong burst of air through the tube as you clear the water’s surface. Special “purge snorkels” are available on the market for those who want an extra line of protection against getting water in your mouth.

1. Don’t be touchy: Resist the temptation to pocket a pretty souvenir shell or seemingly dead sea star – it’s not ecologically sound, and it could even be illegal.

• See WWF’s 2010-11 snorkeling lineup.
   
• Learn how to take underwater photos in WWF’s Behind the Lens photography series.

Courtesy Charles and Karen Goetz

WWF members Charles and Karen Goetz recently hit a milestone—their 10th WWF Travel tour, this one to Alaska.

“Everyone asks us, ‘What’s your favorite trip’,” says Karen, a retired school teacher from Northport, N.Y., who has been a WWF member since 1972. “How can you pick your favorite? Each new trip is special.”

She recalled one of her favorite wildlife-spotting moments on a WWF tour—the day a tiger walked within 15 feet of her group’s jeep along a dirt road in a national park in India. Other favorites: seeing an anaconda in the Peruvian Amazon, watching leaping lemurs in Madagascar and snorkeling with sea turtles in the Seychelles.

But Karen also said that meeting other travelers on WWF tours is as valuable as seeing wildlife and the world. “The people we meet are amazing,” she says. “They have always been an important part of our trips.”
 
 
Read more testimonials

© Emily Supernavage

Since 1983, the WWF Travel Program has taken curious travelers on wildlife-viewing expeditions throughout the world. We plan our tours with conservation and the environment in mind.

• The right partners. We only work with tour operators that share our mission. As a result, we’re collaborating with some of the top U.S.-based leaders in tourism conservation.
   
• Quality time. On our tours, you spend time in one destination, rather than hop from country to country. By focusing on one place, you decrease flying time and get to know that region better.
   
• Supporting sustainable tourism. We often go to places where communities are empowered to run sustainable tourism ventures and protect wildlife. And we patronize lodges and hotels that are eco-friendly.
   
• Well-trained guides. We help train guides at some of our destinations, emphasizing WWF’s work in that region and how tourism, when done properly, can be vital to that region flourishing.
   
• Small ships, smaller footprint. Our voyages use small ships. Aside from the wholeheartedly better travel experience they provide vs. large cruise ships, they have a smaller carbon footprint.
   
• Smart marketing. We are now providing the majority of information about our tours via our website, email newsletters and special email offers. That means fewer brochures in your mailbox. When we do create brochures, they’re printed on recycled content paper made from sustainably sourced trees and use soy-based ink. Not on our email list yet? Send us an email to sign up today.
   
• Encouraging carbon offsets. Our travel partner, Natural Habitat Adventures, is the world’s first carbon neutral travel company. That means it offsets 100% of the greenhouse gas emissions its trips, its office and all operations associated with running its business. We are working with our other tour operators as well to make all WWF tours carbon neutral in the future. In addition, we encourage travelers to consider offsetting their travel emissions when participating on a WWF tour.
   
• Supporting WWF’s work. A portion of your tour cost (between 5% and 10%) is directly contributed to WWF’s general fund, to support conservation work around the world.

© Colby Loucks / WWF

Nothing can prepare you for the moment when you first see a whale. And even after hundreds of sightings, these enormous creatures of the sea never cease to amaze.

Seeing a giant tail flip up through the water or watching an entire 30-ton animal leap above the surface in a surprising breach highlights the sheer size of whales, and their charismatic personalities are a nature lover’s delight.

Pacific gray whales are especially interesting: Their annual springtime journey from Alaska’s Bering Sea to the warm waters of Baja is the longest mammal migration on Earth.

During our Whales of Baja adventure – for which we’re currently offering $500 off our February 24, 2011 departure* – you can witness their migration first-hand as skiffs take you out on the blue waters of the remote San Ignacio Lagoon on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. These whales are friendly and engaging and will oftentimes swim right up to our boats, intrigued by humans.

In the evenings, you’ll return to your secluded “whale cabanas” — unique, rustic and inviting accommodations on a quiet stretch of beach, with windows overlooking the lagoon.

Visit our website or call us at 888-WWF-TOUR for more information or to sign up.

* Must be booked by September 30, 2010. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

See pandas during WWF’s Wild & Ancient China tour.

Making strides

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WWF has been active in giant panda conservation since 1980. More recently, WWF has helped the government of China undertake its National Conservation Program for the giant panda and its habitat. © naturepl.com/Pete Oxford/WWF

© Lazlo Ilyes

Unquestionably, one of the major reasons why people are drawn to WWF’s Costa Rica & Panama expedition is to see and experience the Panama Canal. But if you were to ask any of them at random at the end of their journey about the highlights of their trip, they almost invariably will mention Granito de Oro on Coiba National Park.

Snorkeling at Granito de Oro is a not-to-be-missed experience. This sliver of white sand in the middle of a sea of aqua is just irresistible. The variety of color and forms found in the reef around the island attests to the beauty and uniqueness of this national park.

Coiba, one of Panama’s most important national parks and now one of the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, is the pride and glory of the Panamanian park system. It not only protects the most extensive tropical forest of any island in the region, but it also boasts some of the best examples of coral
reefs found anywhere between Baja California and Peru.

Coiba is special because it is the one place where virtually everyone’s interests can be accommodated, by offering birding walks, rain forest hikes, sea kayaking and, of course, snorkeling and Zodiac cruising. The naturalists are always delighted to see the expressions of wonder and discovery on the guests’ faces when they come out of the water full of questions about the abundant marine wildlife.

Journey to Coiba National Park on WWF’s Costa Rica & Panama voyage aboard the Sea Lion, February 12-19, 2011.

 
Join WWF’s Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone tour, scheduled, January 8-11, 2011.
 
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Burchell's zebra drinking from a water hole at Etosha National Park, Namibia. © Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon

Today, Namibia is emerging as a conservation success story. WWF’s Living in a Finite Environment (LIFE) Project, in partnership with a range of Namibian civil and government organizations, has helped to make conservation a national imperative. As a result, numerous species are recovering. The LIFE Project is a model for the empowerment of communities who now have a say in their own destiny – and the potential to achieve conservation and community economic development on an unprecedented scale.

WWF’s projects include:

Increasing the involvement of women
Namibian women have traditionally been excluded from natural resource management because of the traditional role of women in Namibian society. WWF works with its Namibian partners to increase women’s influence over resource management and societal development decisions.

Encouraging the Namibian government to make conservation a priority
WWF works with the Namibian government to demonstrate the value that conservancies and wildlife represent to rural livelihoods, employment and sustainable land use. WWF also seeks to increase the benefits community members receive by helping expand community members’ rights over their conservancies.

Playing a game of cards to teach conservation in Kunene, Namibia. © Edward Parker / WWF-Canon

Accelerating the recovery of wildlife
Many conservancies contain vast tracts of prime wildlife habitat but significantly low populations of animals. With support from the Namibian government, WWF initiated a program to promote rapid recovery of wildlife populations through the capture and translocation of animals from national parks and private-sector donations to designated conservancies. This process is speeding up the recovery of wildlife populations and expediting the generation of income to conservancies from tourism and wildlife-related enterprises. This initiative has since become a national conservancy program that is now fully supported by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Join WWF’s partner tour operator, Natural Habitat Adventures, on a Namibian Safari.