There are several iconic endangered wildlife species that are worth traveling to see. Unfortunately, its becoming increasingly challenging to see incredible animals in the wild. After all, many species are reeling from the impacts of global climate change, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss. Therefore, it has never been important for value travelers, such as yourself, to see these majestic creatures. Thankfully, there are several options to help you explore the world’s most magnificent animals, while preserving wildlife conservation. In this post, we will talk about the most iconic endangered wildlife species worth traveling to see.
Grizzly Bears
Up in the Rocky Mountains the 1,300 Grizzly Bears are threatened while 700 of those can be found in the Greater Yellowstone area.
During the Spring months grizzlies graze on grasses and you will see mating behaviors and engage in mating. In the summer they move to various habitats to optimize their feeding on berry patches, grasslands and possibly salmon. During the fall months they come out in full force for the best food source available on the coast, Pacific salmon. Each bear takes a different approach. Some check under riverbanks with their paws and some charge up the river after salmon. If you are a fan of exciting adventures when you vacation, be sure to check out our latest post on West Virginia outdoor travel.
Grizzly Bear Viewing Tours
One option during the summer is to take a chairlift in an enclosed Gondola to experience an up-close visit with Boo, the resident bear rescued as a cub, and be fascinated with bear information. This is the largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat in the world. It will also include lunch and a spectacular view of the Canadian Rockies. Take a short stroll along Emerald Lake, and the tour will end at Canada’s second highest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls. 10 hours June- Sept $ 196 age 13 and up. banfftours.com
Right on the British Columbia Coast, you will find Bella Coola. Known as the “Grizzly Bear Capital of the World,” there is an abundance of viewing opportunities for your endangered wildlife travel itinerary. After all, some of the highest bear concentrations are found here. If you are visiting Green Bay, check out the Salmon Spawning Creek. Here, you may additionally see some black bears and wolves. There are several remote marine wilderness tours that help you best see the area. Typically, these are around $225 for a full eight hour day, which generally includes lunch. bcgrizzlytours.com
Grizzly Bear Viewing Sanctuary
In the Khutzeymateen Valley in Canada, 25 miles from Prince Rupert, you will find the nation’s only Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. Here, you can see over 50 grizzlies, spawning salmon, and incredible Sitka spruce trees. This immense valley is pure wilderness, with no inhabitants, campsites, roads, or villages. Most tours navigate by boat, then transfer to a motorized inflatable. This way, you can safely, but closely observe the grizzlies. Keep in mind that these three day excursions typically cost $2350 3 days and 3 nights including meals. oceanlight2.bc.ca
If you are in search of a more affordable value travel option, there are plenty available. Fly from Prince Rupert, Canada on a float plane to Khutzeymateen. The return flight will be included within your ticket price. Then, you can immediately board a boat for a three hour journey. During your trip, the captain will help you navigate seals, eagles, bears, and waterfalls. Typically, this will cost around $500 for the entire experience.
From May-July Prince Rupert Adventure tours offer a 7 hour outing to see the grizzlies. $ 295 with lunch.
adventuretours.net
Monk Seals
Traveling out to Hawaii you have the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. There are 1500 left and they are one of the most endangered mammals in the U.S.
Head off to Kauai Island, where you will be able to see the monk seals. They spend most of their time here avoiding predators and searching for food. Frequent fatigue often leads monk seals onto the beach, where they can rest. Therefore, ensure that they have space by respecting the yellow tape, barricades, and any other restricted areas. Generally, these will surround seal areas on the beach. It is important to follow all guidelines to safely view the seals. Go to www.fisheries.noaa.gov or kauai seals.wordpress.com for more detailed safety instructions.
They face many obstacles to population growth like shark attacks and malnutrition from lack of food. Fishing nets are a major concern as well. If you are looking for seals, you can generally see them sun bathing on Poipu Beach. Similarly, they can commonly be found on the remote beaches on the Napali Coast. After all, Kauai is the closest island to these endangered animals’ feeding ground.
Kirtland’s Warbler
In the Great Lakes you have the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. These rare birds are found in the forests of Michigan and they are nearly extinct.
Go through the Jack Pine Viewing Area in Huron National Forest at the Mio Ranger Station. There is a self-guided, 58 mile auto tour to spot the Kirtland’s Warbler. The occupied Kirtland’s warbler habitat is closed to the public during nesting seasons to protect them. Closed areas will be posted with signs. fs.usda.gov
Michigan Audubon, in conjunction with Hartwick Pines State Park, offers complimentary tours 7 AM Fridays and 7 and 11 AM Sat and Sun, May and June. Pre-register because it is for 20 people maximum. events@michiganaudobon.org
If you want to experience more exciting, outdoor getaways, check out our Wyoming value travel vacation guide.
Florida Panther & Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
The Southeast has two to focus on, The wild Florida Panther and Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. The 160 or so Panthers that are still surviving are found in Southeast Florida. They used to roam the Everglades, Arkansas and the Carolinas but aggressive hunting has dwindled the population. Mercury poisoning, agricultural and urban development have also added to their downfall.
The best place to see a panther in the wild today is in the Everglades region. Most of the 27,000-acre Panther Wildlife Refuge is 20 miles from Naples. Open to visitors are many areas where panthers are known to roam. They include Fakahatchee Strand, the Bear Island Unit and the Raccoon Point area of the Big Cypress National Preserve (nps.gov), and the eastern side of Everglades National Park. The best time to see a Panther is early or late in the day. Don’t look for panthers only in the woods. They are also good swimmers.
How To See Florida Panthers
Want guaranteed sightings? The Naples Zoo has a Panther and also every November they have a one day Panther festival. $ 23 ages 13 and older. Free parking. napleszoo.org
Panther Ridge offers a one hour guided tour at their facility and they have two panthers that you will see. $30
pantherridge.org
Sea Turtles
30 years ago, there were roughly 700 nests. This massive increase went from 1990s to 2009. However, another downturn later begun in 2010, with numbers fluctuating since. Typically, nesting occurs on the Western Gulf of Mexico Beaches. Visitors most commonly visit Tamaulipas, Mexico for the closest views. Here, you can visit Barra del Tordo, Rancho Nuevo, and Tepehuajes, which are all great beaches for sea turtle viewing. Of course, smaller amounts of nesting occur in Veracruz, Mexico, as well as Texas.
At the present time you may want to put off this activity in Mexico. The State Department has an advisory to not travel to Tamaulipas due to increased crime activity.
Your best bet is to visit Padre Island National Seashore during the summer months. Here, Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle hatchlings are often released from nests along the Texas coast. Certainly, this is an excellent viewing opportunity for your conservation-endangered wildlife travel journey.
Generally speaking, hatching releases occur in the summer months, between June and August. On Malaquite Beach, Corpus Christi, Texas, you are likely to get the best views.
Viewing Wild Sea Turtles
Needless to say, viewing sea turtles is one of the best travel experiences in the US. Try to visit when several nests are about to hatch at once. This way, you can maximize your chances of seeing a hatchling release. To do this, plan your visit multiple days in advance. You can easily call the Hatchling Hotline at +1 (361) 949-7163 to receive the latest updates. You can also get real-time notifications by visiting the park’s Facebook page.
Hatchlings often take up to 45 minutes to make their way into the water. If you want to get a closer look, Park Rangers will typically bring hatchlings around for visitors. Find out more at nps.gov.
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