Thursday 13th August 2026

With it being peak holiday season for most of us, I thought that it was the best time to teach you something really important: How to be an eco-friendly tourist!

How to be an eco-friendly tourist:

• Pick animal experiences that are wildlife-friendly.

  Wild animals should stay wild! If a place promises guaranteed close-ups, or lets you ride or touch wild animals in any way, there’s something wrong. These animals are usually separated from their parents at a very young age, or trained in painful ways. Always visit places that are kind to their animals!

• Keep a distance.

  It can be tempting to get closer to wildlife, but animals need their space! Even if you want to get that perfect photo you promised your BFFs, it’s not worth it to disrupt the calm habitat the animals are living in. Zoom in, don’t move in! The best photos are the ones where the animal doesn’t even notice you.

• Never feed wild animals!

  Human food can make them sick. Also, they’ll get used to depending on humans for food. Never touch or feed wildlife.

• Be quiet.

  Wild animals also use their ears to stay safe, not just their eyes. Be quiet, and you’ll also be able to hear the animals better.

• Don’t disrupt habitats.

  For example, if you’re swimming or playing in the sea, make sure you don’t interrupt fish or trample on the coral. If you pick an animal out of the water to get a closer look, put it back in as quickly as you can, as most small ocean animals can’t breathe out of water! Remember to put everything exactly where it was.

• Support places that protect nature.

  Entrance fees to places like national parks help them be able to pay workers and protect habitats. Buying local crafts, as long as they’re not made from shells, coral, or animal parts, (that includes fur, feathers, and teeth!), is a great way to support communities that care for wildlife.

• Choose eco-friendly places to stay.

  By choosing wildlife-friendly hotels and lodges, you help to make the air cleaner and the land quieter for everyone, including the animals that live there.

• Leave no trace.

  Last, but DEFINETELY not least, leave nothing behind. Have you ever heard the phrase: “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints”? Well, you have to do just that! Don’t litter or pollute the environment. Just one plastic bag or bottle can harm animals months later!

  There’s just one thing I disagree with. The phrase says: “take nothing but photos.” I say you can also take a cool souvenir😆!