Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation, Thailand, Januar 2010

1. Ecotourism &
wild animals in wild habitats
www.amc-tiger.com
January 27-30, 2010
Hua Hin, Thailand
Steve Noakes,
Director,
Ecolodges Indonesia
+ Pacific Asia Tourism Pty Ltd
Conference theme: “Enforcement, Trade, Landscapes, and Financing”

2. Sekonyer River, Tunjung Putting
National Park, Kalimantan,
Indonesia
Contents:
1. Brief introduction to Ecolodges Indonesia
2. Concept of ‘Wildlife Tourism’
3. Wildlife in tourism marketing
4. Experiences & lessons learnt of Ecolodges Indonesia –
conservation & communities

3. 1. Brief introduction to Ecolodges Indonesia (ELI)
• Private company - 20 Indonesian & international
shareholders - over 100 staff
• With partner businesses, supports some 250 families
• Strong motivation to help protect the threatened
species of Indonesia
ELI Founder, Dr Alan Wilson •Market position focus on wildlife conservation
(Veterinary Medicine & Surgery)
& Meryl Wilson • Commencing comprehensive range of sustainable
tourism processes & certification with not-for-profit
Sustainable Travel International
• Committed to actions which contribute to the
achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals
via ecotourism investments and operations
• The first private sector operator in the world to partner
with UNEP 2010 International Year of Biodiversity

5. 2. Concept of Wildlife Tourism
‘Any living non-human, undomesticated organism in the kingdom Animalia is generally
considered to be wildlife’. Moulton and Sanderson (1999)
‘Wildlife tourism, as a subset of nature-based
tourism, can then be defined as tourism based
on interactions with such animals, whether in
their natural environment or in captivity (such as
in a zoo).
This form of tourism includes non-consumptive
activities such as viewing, handling and
photographing, as well as consumptive activities
such as fishing and hunting’
Higginbottom et al (2001)

6. “Wildlife tourism is more than
travel to enjoy or appreciate
wildlife, it also includes: Nature-based tourism
• contributions to
conservation & community ecotourism
projects in developing
Countries, and
Wildlife tourism
• environmental education
& awareness through the
establishment of codes of
conduct for wildlife tourists as
well as the various components
of the travel industry.” Kutay, 1993

7. 3. Wildlife in tourism marketing
1916: Grinnell and Storer researched the potential use of
wildlife as an attraction to tourists - advocated the use of
wildlife imagery (and wildlife experiences) to promote
parklands to tourists.
‘As a stimulant to the senses of far sight and far hearing, faculties
largely neglected in the present scheme of civilization, they are no
less consequence than the scenery, the solitude and the trails. To
the natural charm of the landscape they add the witchery of
movement’ (p. 377).
Recent research: Finds there is a growing demand to observe wildlife
as part of the tourist experience
(e.g., Nelson, 1990; Orams, 1994; Higham, 1998).
Hill, Brad. Kangaroos in the marketing of Australia: potentials and practice. CRC for Sustainable Tourism 2001 ISBN 1 876685 03 4

8. Wildlife icons can hold value as symbols of place and culture
What is the contribution of wildlife species to the attractiveness of a destination?

9. Wildlife icons as part of destination brand
• It must be valid
• It must be believable
• It must be simple Koala = Australia
Sumatran tiger = Sumatra
• It must have appeal
• It must be distinctive
Kotler et al, Marketing Asian Places, John Wiley & Sons, 2002 P 238

10. Commercial
exploitation of
endangered
species
Consumers want
authentic
experiences
Demand for ethical
products, social
investment, and An Irrawaddy dolphin performs with two pink dolphins at the
eco-labels is Oasis Sea World marine park in Chantaburi, nearly 290 km (190
growing miles) southeast of Bangkok on December 20, 2003."
Chafe & Honey 2005 Photo by ADREES LATIF (REUTERS)

11. Using wildlife to position an ecotourism product
The encounter
between the visitor
and the wildlife
comprises the core
of a wildlife tourism
experience

12. 4. Experience of two eco lodges – conservation & communities
Sekonyer River, Way Kambas National Park,
Tanjung Putting National Park, Lampung , Sumatra
Kalimantan

13. Photo taken adjacent to
Tanjung Putting National Park,
Kalimantan, Indonesia,
April 2008
Just two countries, Brazil and Indonesia, account for over 60% of the
world’s forest loss.
(www.wri.org/publication/painting-the-global-picture-of-tree-cover-change)

14. The mercury from the gold mining process washes into the Sekonyer River,
Tanjung Putting National Park, Kalimantan, Indonesia. April 2008

16. ‘VolunTourism’ support
VolunTourism project example: Provide support to the Chair of
Orangutan Foundation International
Based in Kalimantan, the volunteer role is for an Assistant would
be to help manage communications with all stakeholders
www.orangutan.org

17. ‘Philanthropic travel’ support
SAVE INDONESIAN ENDANGERED SPECIES FUND - focus on Sumatran Tiger, Borneo
Orangutan, Sumatran Elephant, Borneo Clouded Leopard and Sumatran Rhinoceros.
This tour is designed to assist conservation of at-risk protected areas, endangered wildlife
and human cultures through monitoring of on ground conservation projects, eco-tourism and
community development.
Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan
Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, Sumatra
Kerinci Seblat Tiger Corridor and Conservation Reserve, Bengkulu, Sumatra (Extension).
Example of itinerary:
Mon Feb 8: Morning visit to Sumatran Rhinoceros Sanctuary to learn about threats to
endangered Sumatran rhinoceros and observe 6 living in 20ha enclosures at
sanctuary. Learn about breeding problems of Sumatran Rhinoceros. Discuss the issues of
Sumatran and Javan Rhinoceros conservation and work of YABI. Discuss the benefits of a
canopy walk to help SRS raise funds and observe natural behaviour.
http://ecowildadventures.com/events.html

18. MAJOR CONSERVATION ISSUES WAY KAMBAS NATIONAL PARK
• Protection flora-fauna & ecosystem of the Park - illegal poaching, illegal logging,
forest fire, encroachment, livestock invasion, etc.
• Law enforcement - effectiveness of coordination with local Government law agencies
(Police, etc).
• Human – elephant conflict mitigation: improvement strategy and facilities
• Area rehabilitation and reforestation of ex-forest fire, ex-settlement (deadly wells),
ex-encroachment, etc.
• Building biodiversity research and database - information system, to develop more
effective conservation strategy
• Effectiveness of management organization & human resources through education
and training
• Community development and participation/involvement through improve education
and awareness programs
• Improvement of Park’s facilities and infrastructures

19. Sakura is a three-year-old elephant. After falling in backwards and being stranded for
some 2 weeks without food or water, she was carefully pulled from one of the
abandoned wells in Sumatra, Indonesia.
www.elephantart.com/catalog/events.php
This grid represents 100x100m area. Blue dots
represent wells that have been successfully filled.

20. ‘It is so sad that i must inform you this news. One of ecolodge elephant
at ECC was died last night because of poison. Its named SENO. And his
tusk was stolen from the body after death.’
Chandra, Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. August 2009

21. Mahout training, certification &
Way Kambas
identification cards
Mahout/ Elephant
Identity card
This mahout and elephant
are suggested for tourist activities.
Mahout: Dwi Y. Hari
ETL001
Since April 2008
Seno: Male 16 years
Disclaimer: Elephants
are wild animals and can
be dangerous. Elephant
riding is at your own risk

22. Volunteer project led by
Dr Claire Vaux Oelrichs, SIES
(Save Indonesian Endangered Species)
The National Parks staff guide
training included:
• cat behaviour, specifically on
tiger (Champati Sarath, India)
• biology
• signs and identification
• following/tracking
• tourist safety
• cat safety - guiding/tourism
without interference
• minor species information
interpretation
Tourism & protection through partnerships - • what tourists want
Guide Training

23. How ecotourism helps conservation issues in Way Kambas &
Tanjung Putting National Parks
1. Brings international attention, increased awareness of the
conservation issues and attracts human & financial
resources to build local capacity to better manage the
protected areas
2. National & Provincial Ministry of Tourism interest – build
facilities and infrastructure which also contribute to
community services - access roads, better power, water
and sewerage facilities

24. 3. Generates contacts with the ‘outside world’ for NPA
staff & local businesses, local schools, mosques,
sporting & cultural groups - understanding of & access to
markets, language skills, service skills, conservation skills
4. Visitors/Conservationist who come first time as a
tourist then interest to contribute to NGO’s &
networks to raise funds & expertise support: research,
community development, animal protection, medical
conservation, awareness program
5. Some international NGOs raise collaboration within
government’s agencies: i.e. Debt Nature Swap between
Govt of Indonesia and USA through Ministry of Forestry.

25. 6. Local & international Universities involved in supporting
research & study in the Parks for students: develop knowledge
and nature sciences & new generation of
conservationist.
7. Tourism Companies (e.g. ELI) interest to invest & help local
communities financial opportunities: as a guide, staff and
employee, food provider, handicraft maker, develop more
networks & supports for building facilities, provide equipments,
funding some special projects (wells closure), tourist guide and
animal survey training, etc, in collaboration with NGOs and
the Park’s.
8. National Park’s more concerned to develop the capacity of
their staff and rangers through education & training programs
in management trough study tours to other national parks who
had developed ecotourism program.

26. Major lesson learnt ?
Tourism not a panacea
for wildlife conservation,
poverty reduction &
related MDG targets.
But it can play an
important part.
Needs workable
partnerships –
government, private
sector, community,
conservation and
development sectors.

27. Thank you
Terima kasih
stevenoakes@ecolodgesindonesia.com,
steve@pacificasiatourism.org

28. Sources & Credits
http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/indonesia/photos/photoview/-
1064568?imageSourceType=user&sort=%2BcreateDate
Chafe & Honey M (Ed) Consumer Demand and Operator Support for
Socially and Environmentally Responsible Tourism CEST & TIES 2005
Fredline, Liz & Faulkner Bill. (2001) International Market Analysis of Wildlife Tourism, CRC for Sustainable Tourism CRC,
Griffith University, Australia
Higginbottom, K., Rann, K., Moscardo, G., Davis, D. and Muloin, S. (2001). Wildlife Tourism Research Report No.1,
Status Assessment of Wildlife Tourism in Australia Series, Wildlife Tourism in Australia Overview, CRC for Sustainable
Tourism, Gold Coast.
Hill, Brad. Kangaroos in the marketing of Australia: potentials and practice. CRC for Sustainable Tourism 2001 ISBN 1
876685 03 4
Kutay, K. (1993). Brave new role: Ecotour operators take centre stage in the era of green travel. In Going Green: The
Ecotourism Research for Travel Agents. Supplement to Tour and Travel News. October 25:80.
Kotler et al, Marketing Asian Places, John Wiley & Sons, 2002 P 238
Newsome, D., Dowling, R. and Moore, S. (2005). Wildlife Tourism. Channel View Publications, Clevedon, UK
Michael Platt Moulton, James Sanderson Wildlife issues in a changing world (1999) CRC Press LLC, Florida, USA
Moscardo G. & Saltzer R. Understanding Tourism Wildlife Interactions: visitor market analyses (2005) JCU/CRC Australia