Immersing stressed volunteers in a 360-degree, virtual, Douglas-fir forest complete with scents, sights and sounds boosted their moods, sharpened their short-term memories and deepened their feelings of connectedness to nature.

Virtual reality (VR)—a technology that simulates a three-dimensional (3D) environment, allowing users to interact with a computer-generated world as if they were physically present—can create dynamic, immersive and personalized experiences. VR has been used in many fields, from helping students learn by allowing them to explore historical environments virtually to treating mental health conditions, including anxiety, phobias and PTSD, by providing controlled exposure to feared situations. VR can even metaphorically transport you into situations that open you up to different perspectives, which can lead to increased empathy for and understanding of others.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is closely related to virtual reality. AI can generate 3D models and even entire virtual environments, expanding the possibilities of VR content creation. In other applications, AI can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up human workers for more creative and strategic work. AI is capable of tackling some of the world’s most challenging problems, such as climate change modeling, disease prediction and personalized medicine. For instance, AI can help optimize energy consumption in buildings or develop new drug therapies.

Now, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are being employed in intriguing ways to benefit nature. VR forests are lifting moods and furthering environmental causes. AI is monitoring plant and tree health in our cities and is aiding in detecting wildfires. AI and satellite imagery from NASA have even teamed up to attempt climate change mitigation. And with AI, researchers have found a faster, more accurate way to map forest biomass, critical for measuring how much carbon is retained and released in trees. This innovative fusion of space tech and machine learning could revolutionize how we manage and preserve forests in a warming world.

VR videos are interactive, 360-degree recordings that allow viewers to immerse themselves in a digital environment and explore it from different angles, often with the help of VR glasses and/or headsets.

Virtual-reality forests reboot your brain and lift your mood

The practice of shinrin yoku, or forest bathing—consciously immersing oneself in nature—gained popularity in Japan during the 1980s as a national health program. It has since gained global recognition as a practice for lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and generating overall well-being. But can forest bathing also be effective when done virtually?

To find out, researchers from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf produced a high-quality, 360-degree, virtual-reality video in Europe’s largest Douglas fir forest—the Sonnenberg Nature Reserve in Parchim, Germany—complete with original sounds and the scent of essential oils from the evergreen tree. Then, more than 130 study participants were put into an acute stress situation using worry-inducing images. Subsequently, they were equipped with VR glasses and encountered the virtual forest scenery either as a full sensory experience (with images, scents and sounds) or in a reduced form, where forest stimuli appealed to just a single sense: hearing, sight or smell. In variants where only hearing or smell was activated, participants were placed in a neutral virtual environment to minimize visual stimuli and the influence of VR technology.

The results, to be published in the August 2025 edition of the Journal of Environmental Psychology, show that the combination of all three sensory stimuli led to a significantly greater improvement in mood and a stronger feeling of connection with nature compared to when individual sensory stimuli were presented. In addition to positive effects on mood, there were some improvements in working memory, the cognitive function that enables us to store, process and retrieve information in the short term.

Forest bathing in virtual reality can provide positive emotional and restorative effects—even if it doesn’t replace actual nature.

While further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the results and provide a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the restorative effects of virtual-reality nature experiences, the researchers say that it’s already clear that digital nature can produce emotional responses—even if it doesn’t replace actual nature.

Virtual-reality videos increase environmental awareness

That’s not all that VR nature can do. It can lead to environmental actions—and open pocketbooks.

Convincing people to engage with issues and problems that seem emotionally and geographically distant is one of the biggest challenges for organizations working to protect the environment. That’s why a group of media psychologists at Germany’s University of Cologne recently examined the effects of presenting environmental-protection documentaries by way of 360-degree, virtual-reality videos compared with other, more traditional media forms.

Nature documentaries presented as 360-degree, virtual-reality videos have a stronger positive effect on well-being than other forms of media—such as 2D videos or podcasts.

For their study, the scientists showed three documentaries to 128 participants, who had been randomly assigned to four different groups: one group was shown the documentaries as 360-degree, VR videos; a second group watched them as 2D videos on a TV; a third group listened only to the audio track, like a podcast; and a fourth group read a corresponding text.

After each documentary, the participants rated their subjective feelings of having been physically present in the depicted scenes, their feelings of having been intensively involved in the narratives, and the affective impacts of the documentaries. They were also asked about their own motivations for wanting to protect the environment and how much they would be willing to donate to the presented campaign.

The results of the experiment, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior in July 2025, show that the virtual-reality videos evoked stronger feelings of being physically present in the depicted scenes, of being transported by the narratives, and of having positive emotions in comparison with the other forms of presentation. This, in turn, led to increased motivation to protect the environment and a greater willingness to donate.

In contrast with 2D videos, podcasts and texts, virtual-reality videos evoked stronger feelings for environmental protections in study participants. This, in turn, led to increased motivation to protect the environment and a greater willingness to donate.

This study emphasizes the potential of virtual reality as a medium for presenting environmental-protection campaigns and the importance of narratives. Media experts and organizations should take note that immersive experiences could have greater impacts on behavioral intentions and personal attitudes than more traditional forms of media.

Artificial intelligence helps forests monitor themselves

Managing forests today is increasingly challenged by environmental changes that have intensified in recent years. A combination of factors—including air quality changes, diseases, droughts and more intense wildfires—is causing trees to weaken, making them more vulnerable to pests. Traditional monitoring methods, such as foresters’ visual inspections or trap-based surveilling, are no longer sufficient. And currently, some of the computer models used by foresters tend to oversimplify complex ecological dynamics and fail to consider climate variability, environmental feedback loops and species competition. As a result, accurately predicting how forests will respond to different factors remains difficult.

To improve forest protections, Lithuania’s Kaunas University of Technology scientists propose an innovative technological solution: a forest regeneration model and a sound analysis system that can predict forest conditions and detect environmental changes in real time, allowing early interventions. The forest regeneration dynamics model they developed is based on advanced statistical methods that can calculate how a forest transitions from one state to another, based on current conditions, probable growth and mortality rates. One of the core advantages of the model is that it can identify which tree species are best suited to different environments and where they should be planted, helping to enhance resilience against climate change and to make more informed forest management decisions.

A new, AI forest regeneration tool can forecast how forests will change and grow over time. Sound analysis is also becoming an important part of forest digitization, allowing real-time environmental monitoring and a faster response to potential threats.

The sound analysis system that the researchers created, described in an article in the journal Forests in January 2025, can identify natural forest sounds and detect anomalies that may indicate ecosystem disturbances or human activity. For example, the songs of birds help monitor avian activity, species diversity and seasonal changes in migrations. A sudden decrease or significant increase in bird sounds can signal ecological problems. Even tree-generated sounds, such as those caused by breaking branches or leaf movements, can indicate wind strength or structural changes in trees due to drought or other stressors.

The model could also be adapted for monitoring other environmental changes; animal sounds such as deer mating calls, wolf howls or wild boar grunts help to decipher their behavior patterns and movements. In urban areas, it could be used to track noise intensity or pollution.

Artificial intelligence watches over urban plants

As with monitoring forests, watching over urban greenery has traditionally been a very labor-intensive process, requiring botanical expertise and considerable resources. With cities expanding worldwide and urban environments becoming more complex, keeping track of plant health has also become trickier.

Urban plants and trees do more than just beautify city landscapes. They purify the air, reduce urban heat islands, provide recreational spaces and even boost property values. However, urban trees face many threats, including climate change, diseases and pests.

In a recent study, published in the science journal Measurement in May 2025, a joint research team from Ryukoku University and Waseda University in Japan developed a groundbreaking, AI-driven solution for monitoring plant health. It’s called “Plant Doctor,” a hybrid AI system that automatically diagnoses urban tree health through video footage captured by ordinary cameras.

Plant Doctor combines two, cutting-edge, machine-vision algorithms to identify and track individual leaves across video frames. The goal of these algorithms is to ensure that only the best images for each leaf are selected for further processing. Then, a third algorithm performs detailed image segmentation to precisely quantify leaf damage. The proposed system can automatically detect diseased areas on individual leaves, such as spots caused by bacteria, fungi and pests.

The research team validated the proposed system using footage of urban plants in Tokyo, obtaining favorable results and remarkably accurate leaf-health diagnoses across various city flora. One of the most attractive aspects of this approach is its cost efficiency and scalability. The system can process video footage collected by cameras mounted not only on drones but also on city maintenance vehicles, such as garbage trucks, turning routine services into opportunities to gather data without investing substantial resources. Moreover, by using images rather than actual branches and leaves, Plant Doctor minimizes stress on city plants. Beyond urban applications, Plant Doctor could be adapted for agricultural use, helping farmers monitor crop health and identify diseases before they spread.

“Plant Doctor” is an AI-based tool that could revolutionize plant-health monitoring. The system can track individual leaves in video footage and precisely quantify the damage from diseases and pests, enabling noninvasive, scalable urban plant management.

Artificial intelligence detects wildfires

In 2023, there were 98,639 wildfires in the Amazon. The Amazon rain forest, too, accounts for a significant portion (51.94%) of wildfires in Brazilian biomes. In recent years, this area has experienced a notable increase in such incidents.

Currently, monitoring in the Amazon is provided with near, real-time data. However, it has moderate resolutions, and the ability to detect details in remote areas or smaller fire outbreaks is limited. But a new technology uses a type of artificial neural network (a machine-learning algorithm based on interconnected nodes that process data in a way that mimics the human brain), called a “Convolutional Neural Network” (CNN), to classify areas of the rain forest affected by wildfires and improve the monitoring issue. The newly developed algorithms enhance their performance over time through exposure to increasing volumes of data.

The creators of the new tech, from Brazil’s Universidade Federal do Amazonas, used images sourced from the Landsat 8 and 9 satellites to train the CNN. These satellites are fitted with near-infrared and shortwave infrared, which together are critical for detecting vegetation changes, as well as surface temperature alterations.

Hyacinth macaws live in both the Pantanal and Amazon Basin regions of Brazil. In 2024, 44.2 million acres of Brazil’s Amazon rain forest burned. In the last few decades, drought—linked to climate change and deforestation—and the expansion of industrial agriculture have driven the fires.

First, the CNN was trained on a dataset of 200 images of wildfires and an equal number of images without wildfires to ensure its learning was balanced. Although small, this number of images proved sufficient for the CNN to achieve 93% accuracy during the training phase. The CNN’s ability to distinguish between images with and without wildfires was then tested using 40 images not included in the training dataset. The model correctly classified 23 of the 24 images with wildfires and all 16 of the images without wildfires, thus underscoring its capability and robustness for generalization and showcasing its potential as a tool for effective wildfire detection.

In their paper, published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Remote Sensing in December 2024, the researchers state that their findings could improve wildfire detection in the Amazonian ecosystem and elsewhere in the world, significantly assisting authorities in combating and managing wildfires. The CNN, they say, might also be able to be used for monitoring and controlling deforestation.

Artificial intelligence maps forest carbon in minutes

Forests are often called the lungs of our planet, and for good reason. They store roughly 80% of the world’s terrestrial carbon and play a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate. And understanding this carbon cycle is key to climate change research.

Forests store roughly 80% of the world’s terrestrial carbon and play a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate. To measure a forest’s carbon capacity, a calculation of forest aboveground biomass is needed.

To measure a forest’s carbon cycle, a calculation of forest aboveground biomass is needed. Though effective, traditional ground-based methods for estimating forest aboveground biomass are labor-intensive, time-consuming and limited in spatial coverage abilities. Now, in a study published in the journal Ecological Informatics in May 2025, researchers from the Arkansas Forest Resources Center and the University of Arkansas show how information from open-access satellites can be integrated with artificial-intelligence algorithms on Google Earth Engine to accurately and quickly map large-scale forest aboveground biomass, even in remote areas where accessibility is often an issue.

This novel approach uses data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation Lidar, also known as GEDI Lidar, which includes three lasers installed on the International Space Station. Lidar stands for “light detection and ranging” and uses light pulses to measure distance and create 3D models. The system can precisely measure forest canopy height, canopy vertical structure and surface elevation, all in 3D. Imagery data from the European Space Agency’s collection of Earth-observation, Copernicus Sentinel satellites—Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2—were also used, improving the accuracy of the biomass estimations.

Accurate forest biomass mapping will allow better accounting of carbon and improve forest management on a global scale. With more accurate assessments, governments and organizations can more precisely track carbon sequestration and emissions from deforestation to make better policy decisions. As climate change intensifies, technology like this will be indispensable in safeguarding our forests and the planet, conclude the researchers.

According to The World Economic Forum, nature tech will be vital in helping to accelerate and facilitate nature-based solutions for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. This includes using artificial intelligence, blockchain for carbon transactions, drones, satellite monitoring and virtual reality.

Virtual reality and artificial intelligence could create a brighter future

Especially in places with limited access to nature—such as in clinics, waiting areas or urban interiors—multisensory, virtual-reality applications could support mental well-being. And using VR for telling nature stories—specifically those for environmental-protection campaigns—can have a significant effect in moving and motivating us all.

Artificial intelligence, too, can be employed for nature. With AI, forests could soon monitor themselves; a Plant Doctor can enable both micro-level analyses of individual plants and macro-level insights into disease patterns across urban areas; a neural network coupled with satellite data can detect fires in the Amazon rain forest and a new system can track a forest’s carbon cycle.

In a world where virtual reality and artificial intelligence can be used for nefarious purposes, seeing how such tools can also work like silent guardians of today’s and tomorrow’s ecosystems—taking the measure of the heartbeats of Earth’s natural systems, so to speak—makes me hopeful for a brighter future, where technology learns from and listens to nature.

Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,

Candy

The post AI and VR for Nature’s Future first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

Conservation Through Travel: How Botswana Leads in Sustainable Safaris

In today’s world of mindful travel, more explorers are asking how their journeys impact wildlife, ecosystems and communities. The term “sustainable tourism” is everywhere—but not every trip that claims to be conservation-focused delivers on its promises.

That’s why researching your travel company matters. The good news? Truly sustainable travel opportunities are growing. When guided by strong conservation partnerships, reduced carbon footprints and local empowerment, travel becomes a force for good.

At Natural Habitat Adventures, one of our most inspiring destinations for meaningful travel is Botswana, where 37% of the land is protected as national parks or wildlife management areas. Nat Hab partners with local leaders who’ve helped shape Botswana’s safari industry for over 30 years. Together, we’ve redefined what a sustainable safari looks like by focusing on the “4 Cs”: commerce, conservation, community and culture.

Here’s how this philosophy comes to life on the ground—and how your safari can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Botswana’s Ecotourism Model: High-Value, Low-Volume

Botswana has long been a global leader in conservation travel. In 2002, the country launched its National Ecotourism Strategy, establishing clear guidelines for low-impact, high-value tourism that benefits both nature and people.

This approach channels revenue from wildlife tourism directly into conservation and local development. It’s helped establish sanctuaries to combat poaching, protect some of Africa’s last free-roaming elephant herds and support endangered species like black and white rhinos. The Thlokomela Wildlife Trust is one such effort, linking government, NGOs and private-sector safari operators to safeguard biodiversity.

For a country with a small but growing population, maintaining ecosystem health is critical. Botswana understands that wildlife, landscapes and livelihoods are all interconnected.

How Travelers Help Sustain Botswana’s Wild Places

By traveling with Nat Hab, you’re directly supporting on-the-ground conservation, local enterprise and carbon-reduction innovation. Here are just a few recent initiatives that your journey makes possible:

Women’s Center, Moreomaoto Village

Nat Hab Philanthropy 2024 Funding: $2,500
This new center provides a safe, functional space for women to develop business skills, craft goods and build financial independence. It’s a project that strengthens families and uplifts the broader community through sustainable entrepreneurship.

Ele Express Bus, Okavango Delta

Nat Hab Philanthropy Summer 2023 Funding: $2,500
This program ensures safe transportation through elephant corridors, protecting people and wildlife alike. Students and villagers now have reliable access to school and health care, while reducing human-wildlife conflict across the delta.

Green Safari Operations: Camps, Vehicles and Innovation

Nat Hab’s Private Botswana Safari Camps are designed for minimal impact and maximum comfort. A hybrid system of generators, batteries and solar geysers provides hot water and electricity, while wastewater is treated on site before safely returning to the environment.

In 2023, Nat Hab debuted its first fully electric, off-grid, solar-charged safari vehicle in the Okavango Delta. Built from a retrofitted diesel Land Cruiser, this innovative project is reshaping what low-carbon travel looks like in Africa’s remote wilderness. A solar-powered charging station ensures the vehicle runs quietly and sustainably—enhancing wildlife viewing while reducing emissions.

Supporting Conservation Science: Predator Research and Beyond

Chitabe Lediba Camp, one of the places Nat Hab travelers may stay depending on their itinerary, actively supports the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust. This is the longest-running research project on large carnivores in Botswana, with a focus on the endangered African wild dog. The camp helps fund research teams, provides guides for data collection and contributes to annual wildlife monitoring through aerial surveys.

Expanding Impact with KAZA and World Wildlife Fund

Nat Hab and World Wildlife Fund support the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA)—a 109-million-acre region that spans five countries. These efforts help protect migratory routes, eliminate fencing that blocks wildlife movement and ensure local communities benefit economically from ecotourism. It’s a model of large-scale, cross-border conservation that shows what’s possible when communities, governments and travelers work together.

Travel That Makes a Difference

A safari in Botswana is more than a wildlife adventure—it’s a way to create lasting, positive impact. Connect with local communities, witness conservation in action and experience landscapes that remain wild and free. From the Okavango Delta’s water channels to the predator-rich plains of Chitabe, every moment is a reminder that meaningful travel can help shape a better future.

The post Why Botswana Is a Model for Ecotourism Around the World first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

Like sharks, wolves have an unfair reputation for being villains. Children grow up reading fairy tales about the “big bad wolf.” But in reality, these animals are generally not harmful to humans, as they shy away and avoid any interactions with us. They prey on everything from mice to muskoxen and play a key role in stabilizing ecosystems. Unfortunately, perceived as threats, these misunderstood mammals were hunted widely, resulting in a steep decline in their populations worldwide.

Thanks to conservation efforts, wolves are making a comeback. On August 13, the world celebrates these gorgeous animals on International Wolf Day to pay homage to their crucial contributions and bring attention to their plight.

Getting to Know Wolves

Wolves are ancestors of our domestic dogs and belong to the same family, Canidae. The adorable little fur ball currently snoozing on your couch was once a wild canine hunting for food, just like today’s wolves do. Despite sharing biological traits, dogs and wolves are different from one another.

Even within wolf populations, there are major differences. Ethiopian wolves are desert dwellers and weigh only about 25 pounds, while the northern gray wolves that inhabit the northern hemisphere can reach up to 136 pounds. The gray wolf is the most prolific wolf species in the world, with many living in parts of the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. Arctic wolves and Australian dingoes are subspecies of wolves living in vastly different climates.

One of the most interesting things about wolves is the way they communicate by howling. This melodic vocalization, often represented on TV and in movies with the wolf at the edge of a cliff with its head held high toward the moon, sounds eerie and sad. However, wolves usually howl in a series of short, high calls in a chorus with other wolves. They do this to maintain pack unity. And while this is done at night, it’s not directed at the moon. A howl may be performed by a lonesome wolf who is lost from its pack, and they are also used to rally the troops for hunting or to emphasize territorial boundaries.

© Brad Josephs

Why Wolves Are So Crucial

Wolves live in packs as small as eight or as large as 30 or more, and members follow the lead of a female and male alpha. They are extremely territorial and have clearly defined boundaries to avoid inter-pack fighting. Within each group, they work together to hunt large animals, often going after the sickly or the elderly (another similarity they share with sharks). This keeps prey populations robust by allowing the healthiest individuals to reproduce and perpetuate their species.

Without wolves, ungulates (hoofed animals), their primary food source, become overpopulated and destroy the local vegetation. This affects other creatures in the ecosystem that depend on the trees, bushes and other vegetation. Eventually, the lack of vegetation for ungulates leads to their death by starvation.

Threats to the Gray Wolf

Wolves as we know them appeared on the planet about six million years ago and became the most widely dispersed mammal in the world (after humans), traveling to far distances into Russia, Asia and North America. When human populations increased, wolves became a competitor for food and thus a threat, leading to the elimination of wolves from large areas. Gray wolves, which once enjoyed large natural ranges across the Northern Hemisphere, came into conflict with cattle ranchers, who perceived them to be a threat to their livelihood.

© Brad Josephs

A long history of hunting and systematic eradication of the wolf population brought these animals to the brink of extinction. In the 1970s, only 500 to 1,000 wolves remained in the wild, with 95% of their range gone. Today, large populations of wolves are relegated to remote corners of the globe, such as the Arctic.

Gray Wolf Conservation

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 in the United States helped restore wolf populations. In 1995, in a historic conservation act, 41 wolves from the wilds of Canada and Montana were released into Yellowstone, our oldest national park.

By 2021, their number increased to 95, living within eight packs. Now, there are an estimated 500 wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone had a positive impact on the environment and led to a trophic cascade, a process by which the activity of an apex predator stimulates the growth of other animal species and increases biodiversity. In northern Yellowstone, elk reduction led to an increase in the height of willows (deciduous trees and shrubs), which provide critical habitat for several species of native animals such as beavers and moose.

Human-wildlife conflict, which resulted in the initial decline of wolf populations, is now being managed by implementing electric fences and guard dogs to protect livestock. However, negative perceptions of the wolf need to change, and for that, it’s important to celebrate these beautiful creatures and their contributions through celebratory days like International Wolf Day.

How Conservation Travel Can Help

Visitors hoping to spot these beauties in the wild have the best chance to do so on one of Nat Hab’s Yellowstone: Ultimate Wolf & Wildlife Safari or our Yellowstone Wolf & Wildlife Photo Expedition.

You’ll get the best wolf sightings during their peak activity at dawn and dusk, and there’s plenty to fill your days, from a horse-drawn sleigh through the National Elk Refuge to strolls among Yellowstone’s famous geyser basins and the white limestone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, where travelers often spot elk and other wildlife. Best of all, your trip helps fund conservation efforts to keep wolf populations thriving!

Help Protect Wolves

Conservation groups and local communities are working hard to protect these legendary animals. However, we can all help in several ways. Here are three ways to celebrate International Wolf Day today and every day:

1. Adopt a wolf from World Wildlife Fund: By adopting/sponsoring a gray wolf, you will directly contribute to the conservation of the species. In addition to helping WWF protect these magnificent animals, a $60 Gray Wolf Adoption Kit gets you a plush version of the adopted animal, an adoption certificate, a full-color photo of the species and a spotlight card with information about the animal. You can also adopt an Arctic wolf or a red-maned wolf.
2. Book an eco-friendly trip to see wolves in the wild: Our Yellowstone: Ultimate Wolf & Wildlife Safari helps conserve the species through conservation travel! This winter trip allows you to search for wolves in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley—the Serengeti of America—alongside naturalists and scientific researchers.
3. Get involved: Northern gray wolves recently regained their federal Endangered Species Act protections (except those in the Northern Rockies). Watch local and national news about legislation affecting wolves and make your voice heard by contacting your representatives on these issues.

The post 3 Ways to Celebrate International Wolf Day first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

Ethnobiology is the study of the interconnectedness of biota (all the organisms that live in a particular habitat), environments and peoples. It encompasses both ethnobotany, the relationship between humans and plants; and ethnozoology, the kinship and lore between humans and other animals.

Conservation is growing up. The field is no longer just about how to protect an animal group’s numbers and making efforts to keep it from going extinct by identifying key habitats and focusing on natural resource management. Ethnobiology has entered the conservation space in a big way.

An interdisciplinary field of study that explores the complex relationships between human cultures and the natural environment, ethnobiology brings community, culture and ecology together. It encompasses a broad range of topics—from the traditional knowledge of Indigenous communities to the conservation of biodiversity—and connects scientific research with real-world contexts. It’s a perspective that views humans not as separate from nature, but as part of ecological systems.

Ethnobiologists investigate not only the biodiversity of an area but also the relationship that communities have with surrounding species, providing a better understanding of local dynamics and areas needing special attention for conservation. After all, no one knows a place better than those who have lived there for generations. This deep familiarity allows for early detection of changes or environmental shifts. Additionally, developing a collaborative project with residents generates greater engagement, as people recognize themselves as active contributors. Collective participation is essential for effective conservation.

Some Indigenous communities have associated the nature and shape of the Amazon River with the anaconda because of how the river curves. In these communities’ cosmology and mythical stories, anacondas are responsible for having created celestial phenomena, humankind and the world.

An ethnobiological study: the anaconda

The relationship between humans and snakes has been permeated by legends and myths since biblical times. The emotions surrounding snakes vary greatly by region, making them—like wolves—among the creatures that elicit the most ambiguous and contrasting feelings in people. However, in addition to the fear of snakes—which could have a genetic bias—in many parts of the world, snakes are often associated with evil and are linked to frightening stories. Such factors contribute to the creation of barriers to our fostering a positive relationship with these reptiles.

In the Amazon, one of the greatest myths is about the “Cobra Grande,” the Great Snake, a huge reptile that is said to inhabit the Amazon River and sleep beneath the ground. According to the varzeiros (riverine people who live in periodically flooded areas known as varzea) of the Lower Amazon River in Brazil, the Great Snake is an anaconda that has grown too large; its movements can shake the river’s waters, and its eyes look like fire in the darkness of night. People say anacondas can grow so big here that they can swallow large animals—including cattle or humans—without difficulty.

Brazil has a high diversity of serpents, with 463 catalogued species, 23 of which are endemic. Legends about snakes in Brazil have been reported in similar ways for more than a century, reflecting a deeply rooted fear and strong emotional element in how information is shared. Furthermore, a lack of knowledge about most Brazilian snakes exacerbates their slaughter, as people tend to fear the unknown. The primary reaction when people feel threatened by snakes is often to kill them as a precautionary act of self-defense. This issue is particularly significant when it comes to distinguishing between venomous and nonvenomous snakes due to widespread misconceptions.

Brazil is home to a diverse array of snake species, including vipers like the golden lancehead, jararaca and the South American rattlesnake. Nonvenomous snakes, like the boa constrictor pictured above, are also present.

However, few studies have investigated the contemporary relationship between Brazilians and these animals. So, recently, ethnobiologists from Brazil’s Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentavel Mamiraua and the Center for Advanced Amazonian Studies at the Federal University of Para analyzed different narratives from local communities, digging out some significant points behind the conflicts between residents and their anaconda neighbors, aiming to understand the main causes of killings and to explore potential arguments to prevent them.

The researchers used interviews, totaling approximately 43 hours and 21 minutes of conversations with people of different ages, genders and occupations. Based on the main subjects discussed in the interviews, the scientists created 18 major topics about the anaconda that permeated most of the narratives: accident cases, anaconda characteristics, chicken coops, defensive reactions, density differences, ease of encounters, emotional aspects, encounter cases, encounters in 2023, frequency of appearances, the Great Snake legend, hunting cases, interviewee activity, pregnant anacondas, reactions to encounters, venom, uses and years of residence. For better data utilization, they divided each topic into subtopics (ranging from four to 14 divisions each), within which they categorized the collected information.

The findings, published in the journal science Frontiers in June 2025, reveal that local people possess advanced biological and ecological knowledge about the anaconda, particularly its feeding and reproductive behaviors. However, their perceptions of these snakes remain predominantly negative. The scientists identified a cultural aspect in the act of killing anacondas, as men often expressed the perceived necessity to do so. Most notably, the science team observed that the primary trigger for these killings was anger due to economic losses, while fear acted as a deterrent to slaughter.

In Brazil, the Amazon River carries enormous amounts of sediment, depositing much of it in its own floodplains. This means floodplains are constantly modified by the river, alternating between dry and flood cycles. Contact between anacondas and residents are more frequent during flood periods.

Fear of the anaconda (identified in 44.5% of the reports) is related to the belief that the snake is a sly and treacherous animal. The interviewees conveyed that the anaconda is a silent creature that arrives without making any noise, causing them to feel uneasy and always vigilant during fishing (in 22.7% of the reports, “precaution/respect” emotions were mentioned), along with the fear of having their canoes flooded in case of an attack. Some dwellers even reported being more afraid of an anaconda than of a crocodile because the latter warns when it is about to attack. Other emotions related to the anaconda include anger (8.2%), particularly when the animal is near chickens; aversion (4.5%); and indifference or neutrality (20%, disliking anacondas or stating that they feel neither anger nor fear).

When talking about anacondas with the varzeiros, the scientists found that one thing always came up: chickens. “Chicken is her [the anaconda’s] favorite dish. If one clucks, she comes,” said one resident. This kind of remark helps to explain why the conflict is often framed in economic terms, emphasizing the financial impact of losing domestic animals: “The biggest loss is that they keep taking chicks and chickens…” or “You raise the chicken—you can’t just let it be eaten for free, right?”

For the varzeiros, it’s a loss of investment; especially since corn, which is used as chicken feed, is expensive. As one person put it: “We spend time feeding and raising the birds, and then the snake comes and takes them.” One dweller shared that, in an attempt to prevent another loss, he killed the anaconda and removed the last chicken it had swallowed from its belly—“it was still fresh,” he said—and used it for his meal, cooking the chicken for lunch so it wouldn’t go to waste.

Some Brazilians reported being more afraid of an anaconda than of a crocodile because the latter warns when it is about to attack. Anacondas have come to be seen as stealthy thieves.

Some interviewees reported that they had to rebuild their chicken coops and pigsties because too many anacondas were getting in. Participants would point out where an anaconda had entered and explain that the animal came in through cracks or gaps but couldn’t get out afterwards because it tufavam—a local term referring to the snake’s body swelling after ingesting prey.

The ethnobiologists saw chicken coops made with mesh or nylon; some that worked and some that didn’t. Guided by the locals’ insights, they concluded that the best solution to compensate for the gaps between the wooden slats is to line the coop with a fine, nylon mesh on the inside (to block smaller animals); and on the outside, place a layer of wire mesh, which protects the inner mesh and prevents the entry of larger animals.

The researchers suggest that a collaborative management plan and conservation strategy for anacondas be developed, with an emphasis on protecting the local economy. Improving henhouse structures and having a strategy for the use or trade of anaconda fat—in some Amazonian communities, green anaconda fat is traditionally used to treat wounds—appear to be promising initial steps.

Anacondas are the largest snakes in Brazil, widely known through legends such as the “Cobra Grande.” They are nonvenomous, powerful constrictors that inhabit riparian areas, such as marshes, riverbanks and swamps. The Pantanal, a vast wetland in Brazil, is a key habitat for yellow anacondas.

An ethnobiological rationale: a deep dive into the natural world

Although ethnobiology is an old science, it’s still underexplored and often misunderstood. In some fields, there are ongoing debates about the robustness and scientific validity of ethnobiology and related areas. This is largely because ethnobiological findings don’t always solely rely on hard, statistical data.

However, like any other scientific field, ethnobiology follows standardized methodologies, and no result is accepted without proper grounding. Ethnobiology produces solid and relevant knowledge—especially in the context of conservation and sustainable development. It offers insights that purely biological approaches might overlook, and it helps build bridges between science and society.

For example, the tale of the mythic Great Snake morphs into economic concerns over vanishing chickens, revealing how cultural beliefs and practical needs coexist. By understanding the complex relationships between human cultures and the natural environment, ethnobiologists can inform conservation efforts and promote a deeper understanding of the natural world.

In a time when people and wildlife interactions are increasing globally due to climate change, habitat loss and human population growth, conservation needs to develop and mature.

You could even say it’s time for it to come of age.

Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,

Candy

The post Ethnobiology: Conservation Comes of Age first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

Natural Habitat Adventures has introduced the first all-electric van (EV) for tourism use in Peru. The new all-electric vehicle debuted on the April 26, 2025, departure of Nat Hab’s Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley adventure.

“After traveling through Cusco in 2023 and witnessing the smoky air filled with diesel exhaust from hundreds of tourist vans—and knowing that more than 1.5 million visitors contribute to the region’s growing tourism footprint—I knew we had to lead by example,” said Ben Bressler, Founder and CEO of Natural Habitat Adventures.

“That’s when we committed to incorporating an electric vehicle into our Machu Picchu itinerary. Now, that vision is a reality—marking a transformative step for Nat Hab in advancing sustainability within Peru’s tourism sector. This is just the beginning. Just two years after the launch of our first electric safari vehicle in Botswana, we’re committed to expanding our EV fleet, reducing our environmental impact, elevating the guest experience, and inspiring others in the industry—all in alignment with our mission of conservation through exploration.”

Nat Hab partnered with the Chinese company Maxus to import a spacious, passenger-ready electric vehicle tailored to its Peru tourism programs. Powered by a high-capacity battery, the EV eliminates the need for gasoline or diesel, significantly reducing emissions. Beyond its environmental benefits, the EV also offers economic advantages, with lower operating costs due to fewer moving parts and no need for fuel or oil changes. Additionally, its quiet, smooth ride enhances the guest experience, making it a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional vehicles.

As part of Nat Hab’s electric vehicle initiative, the company has installed an electric charging station in coordination with Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel, a luxury property where its groups stay in the Sacred Valley. Inkaterra is one of Peru’s most respected eco-conscious travel brands, at the forefront of sustainable tourism development since its establishment in 1975. This partnership furthers both brands’ goal of supporting sustainable practices in the country and inspiring other companies to follow their lead. Nat Hab is currently working on creating a second charging station in Cusco city. These two stations—both installed by Nat Hab—will be the first-ever EV charging stations in Cusco, marking a major step forward in making sustainable travel a reality in this iconic destination.

“This all-electric vehicle will not only reduce our carbon footprint but also inspire travelers to embrace eco-conscious travel while safeguarding the natural beauty of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and beyond,” said Niceto Yalan, Adventure Director for Peru at Nat Hab. “We are proud to be the first tourism operator in Peru to integrate electric technology into our transportation. While some public transit companies have begun introducing larger electric buses, no one has yet adapted passenger vans for tourism. In this regard, we are true pioneers, leading the way toward a more sustainable future for travel in Cusco and beyond.”

The Peru EV will be an integral part of Nat Hab’s Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley itinerary, providing eco-friendly transportation throughout the journey, covering approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) per trip. On days 2 and 3, the electric van will transport travelers through Cusco and the Sacred Valley, immediately reducing the trip’s environmental footprint. On day 4, it will drop guests off at the train station for their journey to Machu Picchu while continuing to play a vital role behind the scenes, managing luggage logistics. Upon their return on day 6, the EV will ensure a seamless transfer back to Cusco, followed by transportation to the airport on day 7.

The post Nat Hab Introduces Peru’s First All-Electric Van for Tourism in Cusco & the Sacred Valley first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

2025 is likely to be one of the hottest years on record, just like 2024 and 2023. Current predictions indicate it will likely rank within the top three warmest years globally, with a high probability of being in the top five.

It’s July, and I already know what’s coming. Scientists will find that 2025 is one of the hottest years on record, just like 2024 was and 2023 before it. They’ve been warning us for decades that this would happen. Now, three studies—freshly published in June 2025—detail in no uncertain terms what’s happening and what will happen.

Over 300 million years ago, Earth experienced powerful bursts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from natural sources—such as massive volcanic eruptions—that triggered dramatic drops in ocean oxygen levels. These ancient “carbon burps” led to dangerous periods of ocean anoxia (absence of oxygen), which stalled marine biodiversity and reshaped entire ecosystems. In a new, groundbreaking study, scientists combined high-tech climate models with deep-ocean sediment analysis to pinpoint five such events. The alarming part? Today’s human-driven CO2 emissions are skyrocketing at speeds hundreds of times faster than those ancient upheavals, showing us how modern oceans, particularly coastal zones rich in marine life, might react. And ancient coral fossils from the remote Seychelles have unveiled another dramatic warning for our future: sea levels can rise in sudden, sharp bursts—even when global temperatures stay steady.

This adds to the stark picture: an international team of climate experts has now confirmed that at current emission rates, we’re just a little over three years away from burning through the remaining carbon budget to limit warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels, the Paris Agreement’s target. The pace of climate change is accelerating, seas are rising faster than ever and the Earth is absorbing more heat with devastating consequences, from hotter oceans to intensified weather extremes.

Marine biodiversity makes oceans productive, resilient and adaptable to environmental changes. It can prevent the extinction of one species from causing wider negative impacts on the whole marine ecosystem.

Ancient “carbon burps” caused ocean oxygen crashes and biodiversity pauses. We’re repeating the mistake.

Combining geochemical analyses of sediment cores sourced from a formation in South China called the “Naqing Succession” and advanced climate modeling, researchers from the University of California, Davis, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Texas A&M University have uncovered five periods in Earth’s past when significant decreases in ocean oxygen levels coincided with significant increases in levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These ocean oxygenless events—called “carbon burps”—are known for their detrimental effects on marine life and biodiversity.

In their study, the results of which were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in June 2025, the scientific team analyzed the geochemical makeup of these deepwater cores, specifically carbonate uranium isotopes, to chronicle Earth’s environmental conditions from 310 to 290 million years ago. Through that analysis, burps not just in carbon dioxide but in the ocean’s uranium isotope signature could be seen. They were in total alignment, and the size of the uranium spikes indicated the magnitude of the ocean anoxia.

The team then used that information to inform cutting-edge climate models, developed by the authors of this study, that are used to better understand ancient climates. Based on the modeling, five instances of decreased oxygen by 4% to 12% in the global oceans from 310 to 290 million years ago were found. Each period lasted for roughly 100,000 to 200,000 years. While the decreases in ocean oxygen don’t appear to correlate to any known mass extinctions, they do align with pauses in biodiversity that can be seen in the geological record.

Sediment cores are long tubes filled with layers of mud and organic matter. By analyzing the composition of these layers, scientists can reconstruct past climates, understand how environments have changed over time and even pinpoint past geological events.

This is our only analog for the magnitude of the rise in ocean CO2 levels (doublings and triplings) that we’re seeing today. And that could be interpreted as a red flag, state the scientists. If events of a similar scale were to happen today, they would likely affect coastal areas that are important for fisheries and marine biodiversity.

What’s different, though, is the source of the carbon dioxide. While CO2 levels of long-past climates were influenced by natural systems like volcanic eruptions, today’s levels are strongly influenced by human-produced and human-related carbon dioxide emissions.

Old coral fossils warn of sudden sea-level rise. We’re heading into catastrophe.

Carbon burping isn’t the only way that the oceans try to tell us something. Newly uncovered evidence from fossil corals found on an island chain in the Indian Ocean suggests that sea levels could rise even more steeply in our warming world than previously thought.

Located northeast of Madagascar and east of Kenya, Seychelles is an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean. The islands are known for their unique biodiversity, including rare animals and plants. The Aldabra giant tortoise, one of the world’s largest land tortoises, is native to Aldabra Island, Seychelles.

Two dozen fossilized corals discovered in the Seychelles recently provided an exceptional opportunity for researchers from the University of Florida, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an international science team to reconstruct past sea levels. That’s in part because they’re remnants of coral species that live only in shallows very near the sea surface. Their tropical location meant that they were far away from any past ice sheets, which have a more pronounced effect on local sea levels.

By determining the ages of the fossil corals from various elevations on the islands and analyzing the sediments around them, the team was able to confirm the timing of peak global sea levels to between 122,000 and 123,000 years ago. That was during a period known as the Last Interglacial, when global temperatures were like those of today. This dating gives us a better understanding of the relationship between global climate and sea levels.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the researchers, who published their findings in the June 2025 edition of Science Advances, discovered that there were three distinct periods of sharp and sudden sea-level rise over the 6,000 years leading up to peak sea levels during the Last Interglacial. These abrupt pulses of sea-level rise were punctuated by periods of falling seas, and they point to times when the polar ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland—thousands of miles away from the Seychelles—were rapidly changing.

During the Last Interglacial period, the Greenland Ice Sheet was significantly smaller than it is currently, with estimates suggesting it contributed to a global sea-level rise of 1.6 to 13.7 feet. However, at that time, the Antarctic Ice Sheet played a substantial role in the sea-level rise, as well.

That means that there is potential for a very quick, dynamic change in both ice sheet volume and sea level change, say the researchers. The swings suggest that the polar ice sheets were growing and shrinking out of phase with each other because of temperature changes in the two hemispheres that were also not aligned. So, even though the sea level rose at least several feet higher than present during the past warm period, if the temperature rises simultaneously in both hemispheres as it is today, then we can expect future sea-level rise to be even greater than it was back then.

The researchers made one more sobering observation in this innovative study: one of the sharp pulses of sea-level rise they identified occurred at about the same time that the last remnants of a massive ice sheet in North America were likely collapsing. And while there’s no large North American ice sheet today, this finding has important implications for understanding the dynamics of other present-day ice sheets.

If ice was still present in North America several thousand years into this past warm period, then some of the rise that’s been documented would have required more meltwater from another ice sheet, such as Antarctica’s. This would suggest that Antarctica was even more sensitive to warming than we previously recognized, because the full extent of sea-level rise flowing from the continent was masked by a remnant ice sheet in North America.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet was smaller in the Last Interglacial than it is now, adding to the higher sea levels of that period. Specifically, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet likely experienced a major retreat, influenced by warmer ocean temperatures and subsurface warming on the Antarctic continental shelf.

This new evidence, thanks to fossilized corals from thousands of years ago, suggests that sea levels could rise even faster and higher due to climate change than current projections indicate. We could be looking at upwards of 32 feet of global average sea-level rise in the future, just based on the amount of warming that has already occurred.

This information is important for coastal planners, policymakers, those in the business of risk management and all of us. Drawing down our greenhouse gas emissions could, perhaps, blunt the impact of climate change on sea levels and prevent the worst scenarios from becoming our lived reality.

The 2015 Paris Agreement set a global temperature-rise target. We only have three years left.

Unfortunately, our continued record-high emissions of greenhouse gases mean more of us are experiencing unsafe levels of climate impacts. According to the third annual edition of the “Indicators of Global Climate Change” study published in the journal Earth System Science Data in June 2025, the estimate of the remaining carbon budget for the 1.5-degree-Celsius target is 130 billion tons of CO2 (from the beginning of 2025). This would be exhausted in a little more than three years at current levels of CO2 emissions.

The remaining carbon budget for the 1.5-degree-Celsius Paris Agreement target will be exhausted in about three years at current levels of CO2 emissions.

Both warming levels and rates of warming are unprecedented, say the scientists involved in the study. The last decade (2015–2024) is the warmest on record, and 2024 was the warmest year on record, surpassing 2023, highlighting how the pace of climate action and policies are not keeping up with what’s needed to address the ever-growing consequences.

This year’s update of key climate system indicators carried out by a team of more than 60 international scientists included two additional indicators, sea-level rise and global land precipitation, to give a total of 10 indicators. In 2024, the best estimate of observed global surface temperature rise was 1.52 degrees Celsius, of which 1.36 degrees Celsius can be attributed to human activity. The elevated level of human-induced warming and its rapid warming rate are due to global greenhouse gas emissions remaining at all-time highs in recent years.

While reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius of global temperature rise in a single year does not mean there has been any breach of the Paris Agreement—for that, average global temperatures would need to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius over multiple decades—these results do reaffirm how far and fast emissions are heading in the wrong direction.

Human activities have resulted in the equivalent of about 53 billion tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year over the last decade. Deforestation is a big contributor.

Between 2015 and 2024, average global temperatures were 1.24 degrees Celsius higher than in preindustrial times, with 1.22 degrees Celsius caused by human activities, meaning that the best estimate is that all the warming we have seen over the last decade has been human induced. Human activities have resulted in the equivalent of around 53 billion tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year over the last decade, primarily due to increasing emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. In 2024, emissions from international aviation—the sector with the steepest drop in emissions during the pandemic—also returned to prepandemic levels.

In addition, human activities have been affecting the Earth’s energy balance. Surplus heat accumulating in the Earth’s system at an accelerating rate is driving changes in every component of the climate system. The rate of global heating seen between 2012 and 2024 has about doubled from the levels seen in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to detrimental changes of vital components, including ice loss, ocean warming, permafrost thawing and sea-level rise.

The ocean is storing about 91% of this excess heat, which leads to ocean warming. Warmer waters lead to rising sea levels and intensified weather extremes, and they can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. In 2024, the ocean reached record values globally. Between 2019 and 2024, global mean sea level has also increased by around 1.02 inches, more than doubling the long-term rate of 0.07 inches per year seen since the turn of the 20th century.

The rate of global warming between 2012 and 2024 was twice that seen in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to detrimental changes in vital components of the climate system, including the thawing of permafrost.

Since 1900, the global mean sea level has risen by around 8.9 inches. This seemingly small number is having an outsized impact on low-lying coastal areas, making storm surges more damaging and causing more coastal erosion, posing a threat to humans and coastal ecosystems. The concerning part is that we know that sea-level rise in response to climate change is relatively slow, which means that we have already locked in further increases in the coming years and decades. The repercussions will only stop worsening when CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation reach net zero.

Now or later. We inevitably need to transition to renewable energy.

When we hear about climate change, we’re typically presented with two opposing scenario archetypes. On the one hand, there are scripts of unchecked growth in fossil fuels, leading to climate disaster; while on the other hand, there are utopian scenes of renewable energy abundance.

But what if the more likely reality is somewhere in between the two extremes? And if it is, what might we be missing in terms of risks to people and the planet?

A transition to renewable energy is inevitable, whether it’s proactive to address carbon emissions or reactive because fossil fuels start running out.

To address what seems like an inescapable trade-off between urgently addressing climate change versus avoiding an energy shortfall, University of South Australia researchers developed a new energy exploratory tool to test what-if scenarios that aren’t covered by conventional climate and energy models.

Using the Global Renewable Energy and Sectoral Electrification model—dubbed “GREaSE”—the researchers simulated a range of plausible future scenarios including rapid curtailment of fossil fuels, high and low per capita demand, and different cases of electrification.

The results, published in the open access journal Energies in April 2025, shows a striking similarity across scenarios: an inevitable transition to renewable energy, whether it’s proactive to address carbon emissions or reactive because fossil fuels start running short.

We need to put our energy consumption on a diet, as soon as possible. According to “Biofriendly Planet” magazine, if you replace a car with a bike each time you go to work, you could save approximately 3,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

But achieving the rapid cuts necessary to meet the 1.5-degree-Celsius target set out in the Paris Agreement presents a serious challenge. Even with today’s rapid expansion of renewable energy, the modeling suggests it can’t expand fast enough to fill the gap left by the phaseout of fossil fuels, creating a 20- to 30-year gap between demand and supply. By 2050 or so, we could potentially expect renewable supply to catch up, meaning future demand could largely be met by renewables; but while we’re building that new system, we might need to rebalance our expectations around how much energy we’re going to have to power our economies.

The modeling does not show that emission targets should be abandoned in favor of scaling up fossil fuels. The researchers say this would “push the transition a few more years down the road.” It’s also unlikely that nuclear power could fill the gap, because even if the world’s recoverable uranium resources were much larger, it would scale up even more slowly than renewables, such as solar and wind.

That means that our long-term energy future is dominated by renewables. We could transition now and take the hit in terms of energy supply; or we could transition later, once we’ve burned the last of the fossil fuels. We’d still have to deal with the same transformation, just during potentially catastrophic climate change. The researchers argue that we need to put our global energy consumption on a diet, as soon as possible.

Due to the all-time highs of human-caused climate change—combined with natural variability in the climate system—the global average temperature has risen to record levels. We know what’s happening and what will happen—in a very short time. Let’s finally do something about it.

It’s July 2025. Let’s not wait until a very hot July 2026. We know what’s happening and what’s about to occur—in a very short time. Let’s finally get started.

Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,

Candy

The post Our Climate Future: Renewables Are Inevitable first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

Watch Nat Hab’s “The Big Bad Wolf” and Read on for an Exclusive Interview with the Film’s Co-Producer—Wildlife Biologist, Aaron Bott

Directed by Andrew Ackerman, “The Big Bad Wolf” follows in the footsteps of Aaron Bott as he tracks wolves (Canis lupus) through snow-covered alpine meadows and beneath the branches of ancient conifers. As the title suggests, the short film introduces viewers to the controversial existence of these mythic creatures and exposes the conservation challenges wolves face in a landscape increasingly dominated by human influence.

Also featured in the film are a few of Gardiner, Montana’s nearly 900 residents, who are uniquely positioned to provide their perspective on the great wolf debate. Nestled in Paradise Valley, between the Absaroka-Beartooth and the Gallatin Mountain Ranges, Gardiner shares approximately 10 million acres of public land with one of the most diverse collections of large mammals in the country, including wolves, bison, bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn and grizzly and black bears. The small town is situated along the scenic Yellowstone River—the last major undammed river in the lower 48 states—flowing 671 miles from its source southeast of Yellowstone into the Missouri River and then, eventually, into the Atlantic Ocean.

Though not founded until 1880, Gardiner has functioned as the original gateway to North America’s first national park since 1872. Long before Yellowstone’s designation—for over 10,000 years—the convergence of the Great Plains, Great Basin and Columbia Plateau has served as Indigenous homeland for 27 Native American Tribes. When accessing Yellowstone, visitors pass through the historic Roosevelt Arch, which was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 and is the only entrance that remains open to wheeled-vehicle use year-round.

Listen to local residents: Andrew Anderson, Nathan Varley, Stacey Orsted, Anna Holloway and Richard Parks as they tell stories about what it is like to live in the Wild West. And hear from wolf biologist Doug Smith, who was hired by Yellowstone National Park to help reintroduce wolves in 1995. Among the film’s interviewees is Expedition Leader Colby Brokvist, who humbly declares, “There’s not another creature on the planet that defines wilderness like wolves.”

Meet Aaron Bott 

Aaron Bott is deeply connected to the Northern Rockies, where his Mormon Pioneer family settled in the mid‒1800s. His western heritage and understanding of wildlife management allow him to move fluidly and genuinely between groups of different cultural values and find common ground without compromising his integrity. Most importantly, he can initiate civil discussions by promoting respect, empathy and integrity while advocating ways to sustain biodiversity and generate a healthy environment for both humans and wildlife.

Bott is a wildlife biologist and a doctoral student at Utah State University studying wolves across the American West—predicting spatial and behavioral patterns on an anthropocentric landscape to prevent conflict and promote human-carnivore coexistence.

Bott also works with the Yellowstone Wolf Project, studying and monitoring the occupancy and reproduction of wolves in the southwest interior of Yellowstone National Park. Under Yellowstone biologists’ supervision, Bott initiated and is now the project lead of a multi-year field study, monitoring wolf spatial persistence and reproduction on a multi-jurisdictional landscape. The success of this project has hinged on the healthy working relationships he established between the National Park Service, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Q & A

Brief: The underlying theme of “The Big Bad Wolf” is storytelling. What are the most common fictions surrounding wolves and their relationship with humans?

Bott: The first myth that I’d like to address is that wolves are super-predators. People have this perception that the wolf is a formidable predator—capable of bringing down large prey…disproportionately larger than itself. “Packs” are another misconception because people assume that packs are gangs of wolves that are essentially unstoppable killing machines, or super-organisms. People also assume that wolves make a massive impact on prey populations. The reality is that wolves are actually very ineffective as predators when compared to a true natural super-predator like the mountain lion. Mountain lions are ambush predators and obligate carnivores. They are much larger than wolves and have retractable claws, extraordinary vision and a shorter snout, which gives them a greater bite force. The kill rate of mountain lions, for example, on elk and deer, is way higher than wolves on elk and deer. Wolves are dangerous, just like all wild animals are dangerous, but they’re definitely the least dangerous of all of North America’s large carnivores.

Brief: What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in wildlife biology and, in particular, human-carnivore research?

Bott: My family has been out here in the Yellowstone ecosystem and the intermountain Rockies for six generations—170 years we’ve been out here. I have a deep sentimental attachment to the West and to the sense of identity that the West provides. It’s rugged individualism…the heritage and the legacy. It’s a part of my own identity.

I remember when they were reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone and into central Idaho. My family was not all for wolves—there are a lot of mixed feelings regarding wolves. I remember being five years old and not understanding the concept of reintroduction, but overhearing my parents and grandparents talking about it and all the hysteria that came with the topic. That left an indelible impression on me. Over time, I began to realize just what a unique position I was in growing up in and around rural parts of the American West. I began to appreciate just how incredible the biodiversity is in the Yellowstone ecosystem—in my very own backyard.

I realized that what I wanted to do more than anything was to fight for and protect my home. And the home that I loved most dearly was the woods and the outdoors and vast wild spaces. In order to do that effectively, you can kind of tackle one of two monsters: one is trying to stop the fragmentation of large mammal migrations throughout the greater Yellowstone area, and the other is trying to figure out how people can better coexist with carnivores. I thought, if you can resolve human-carnivore conflicts, then you have really achieved something, and everything else is like a molehill after that.

Brief: What has been your most transformative encounter with wolves?

Bott: I do field research in Yellowstone National Park and in the surrounding states. A lot of it is remote backcountry in places where most humans never get to venture to. My first wild wolf encounter was fairly late in the game—probably 10 years after they had been reintroduced. I saw a wolf, and it was mesmerizing. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of wolves—capturing them, putting radio collars on them…and still, I think back to that first encounter and how thrilling of an experience that was to run into this mythic creature.

Despite our interest in data and science, humans are ultimately a storytelling species. I can explain to you how wolf biology and ecology work, but at the end of the day, it really boils down to something as simple as the incredible and mysterious thrill that comes from encountering a large wild animal in its habitat. It is addictive. Just knowing that they are on the landscape is something that I think has intrinsic value—whether humans are present or not. That kind of wildness in the environment has intrinsic value.

Brief: What do you believe is the most effective way to mitigate anti-wolf rhetoric? How do we mediate between wolves and the ranchers and hunters who do not see the inherent worth wolves possess?

Bott: For many people, particularly in the West, wolves are a negative symbol. People hate the wolf, not because of what the animal is or what it does, but because of what it represents, which is unfortunate and unfair to the animal. Ironically, wolf advocates are terrified of losing biodiversity, so this fear pushes them to the extreme of promoting wolf propaganda wherever possible. The ranchers and the hunters who have been here forever are also terrified. They’re terrified of losing a way of life; of losing control of their lands due to government oversight; growing urban development; to new Westerners who are moving into their communities. Because of these fears, you have competing interests and this savage reality where there is a constant fight for power. Who should have the most power? Where should the power be allocated? Who becomes disempowered as a result?

At the center of it all is the wolf, which again is a representation of the Old West versus the New West. It’s such a tragedy that this animal has to be at the center of all of it. Wolves aren’t monstrous, blood-thirsty killing machines. They aren’t from Hell…but they aren’t from Heaven either. They’re extremely challenging to live with, they are dangerous, and they can be very problematic. However, they are noble and magnificent and inspiring. So, if we can move beyond our own paradigms and we can try to recognize the wolf for what it is—a complicated animal living in a complicated environment—then I think we can begin to better coexist with the animal. We have to try and remove it from our personal narratives. We have to decenter the human and recenter the wolf.

Brief: For our readers who would like to experience these enigmatic beings for themselves, the best time to see wolves is the peak of winter, and Lamar Valley of Yellowstone’s northern range is the best spot on the planet for viewing. The wide-open expanse is lined with trees covered in glittering ice crystals. The snow lies thickly drifted on the sloping hills and can be seen faintly falling on a prowling wolf pack, which stands out in sharp contrast against the sea of white.

As of January 2021, an estimated 123 gray wolves were recorded in the park, spread among nine packs. Wolves take advantage of deep snow to prey upon long-legged, small-footed ungulates, which are less agile in extreme winter conditions. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. The sheer diversity and distribution of species make Yellowstone the optimal location for observing the complexities of predator-prey dynamics.

Natural Habitat Adventures has a dedicated team of Expedition Leaders composed of professional naturalists and biologists who possess intimate knowledge of wildlife behavior. Their constant communication with local wolf researchers grants travelers unparalleled access to wolf locations and activity. Travel with Nat Hab & World Wildlife Fund on any or all of our Wolf & Wildlife Safaris. We ensure private experiences and close encounters with the world’s most elusive wildlife.

War on Wolves 

Wolves had all but disappeared from the contiguous United States when Congress enacted the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed the northern Rocky Mountain wolf as an endangered species in most of the lower 48 states and designated the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as one of three recovery areas.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem encompasses an area between 12 and 22 million acres. The region spans portions of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho; contains extensive climatic and elevational gradients; and intersects numerous social and political boundaries. The ecosystem is collectively managed by private individuals, in addition to federal, state and Tribal governments. Within Yellowstone National Park, no hunting of wolves is allowed. However, because wolves do not recognize political boundaries and often move between different jurisdictions, the ones that move outside the park are shot on site.

Congress delisted gray wolves as endangered species in Montana, Idaho and parts of Utah, Washington and Oregon in 2011. They were delisted in Wyoming in 2016, and that decision was held up on appeal in April 2017. In 2020, the FWS removed federal protections from wolves across much of the U.S. Though hunting, poisoning and trapping are once again outlawed in 44 states, wolves still need urgent protection along Montana’s border on the northern range of Yellowstone National Park, as well as in other regions where harvesting quotas are too high to sustain healthy ecosystems.

Call To Action 

The war on wolves is far from over. If you need more inspiration, look no further than the “Big Bad Wolf” film. Aaron Bott’s closing sentiment still echoes in my mind…

“I want wolves on the landscape because they are symbols of a wilderness that I want to keep on this Earth forever. I want my kids to have wildness. I want them to have forests and mountains to climb. I want them to have moose and elk and bison. I want them to hear wolves. For my children, I want there to be a complete Heaven and a complete Earth.”

The post The Big Bad Wolf: Greater Yellowstone’s Greatest Controversy first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

Snow leopards, elusive “ghosts of the mountains,” roam across a vast area of northern and central Asia’s high mountains, mostly above the tree line up to 18,000 feet elevation, sparsely scattered across 12 countries—including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Russia and Mongolia.

A top predator in their environment, snow leopards are an indicator of the health of their high-altitude habitats, and, increasingly, an important indicator of the impacts of climate change on mountain environments. If snow leopards thrive, so do countless other species and the largest freshwater reservoirs of the planet.

Despite their elusive nature, remarkable beauty and vital ecological role, this majestic big cat faces challenges that require innovative solutions to ensure its long-term survival—recent estimates suggest between 4,080 and 6,590 snow leopards are remaining in the wild.

Conservation travel and community-led initiatives are creating new opportunities to protect snow leopards while strengthening local livelihoods.

A snow leopard walking along the Indus bank grasses of the Ramganga river. Nat Hab Expedition Leader © Surya Ramachandran

Near-Silent Stealth: Snow Leopard Adaptations

Perfectly adapted to the harsh, high-altitude landscapes of the Himalayas, snow leopards are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

These solitary cats are built for survival in extreme conditions:

• They disappear into the landscape: Snow leopards have thick gray and yellow-tinged fur, with solid spots on their head, neck and lower limbs and rosettes over the rest of their bodies.
• Thick, Insulating Fur: Their dense, pale-gray coat provides both warmth and camouflage against the rocky, snowy terrain and allows them to roam freely at high altitude.
• Powerful Legs & Large Paws: Snow leopards can leap up to 30 feet in a single bound, while their wide, fur-covered paws help them walk on deep snow and rocky outcroppings.
• A Tail Like a Scarf: Their long, bushy tails—nearly the length of their bodies—aid in balance on steep cliffs and double as a wraparound blanket for warmth.
• Silent & Solitary: Unlike other big cats, snow leopards cannot roar. Instead, they communicate through meows, growls, and a unique chuffing sound.

Snow leopards are rarely seen, even by the people who share their habitat. Their stealth, camouflage, and remote mountain homes make them one of the most difficult animals to study and protect—yet their survival is crucial to maintaining the delicate balance of the Himalayan ecosystem.

A snow leopard eyes viewer from its rock perch © Surya Ramachandrana

Community-Driven Snow Leopard Conservation is Key

For centuries, Himalayan herders have lived alongside snow leopards, but significant changes in the region have altered this delicate relationship:

• Habitat Loss: Infrastructure development, mining, and expanding human settlements have reduced the available space for both snow leopards and their prey.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures are reshaping high-altitude ecosystems, affecting prey distribution and forcing snow leopards into new areas where they may be more likely to encounter livestock.
• Declining Wild Prey Populations: Overgrazing, habitat degradation, and competition from domestic animals have reduced the numbers of blue sheep, ibex, and other natural prey.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: With fewer wild prey, snow leopards sometimes hunt livestock, bringing them into conflict with herders who depend on these animals for their livelihoods.
• Poaching and Illegal Trade: Snow leopards continue to be hunted for their fur, bones, and use in traditional medicine.

As a result, humans are the greatest threat to snow leopards – but that is changing! Local individuals and communities across the Himalayas are taking an active role in snow leopard protection and Himalayan wildlife conservation.

Conservationist-led initiatives—often supported by tourism revenue—are helping communities see snow leopards as valuable assets rather than threats.

Nat Hab Expedition Leader ©Surya Ramachandran

Snow Leopard Sisters: Community-Based Conservation in Nepal

In Dolpo, Nepal, conservationist Tshiring Lhamu Lama is pioneering a community-based approach to snow leopard and other endangered species conservation.

When she learned that in her home village a snow leopard had killed a family’s entire goat herd, Tshiring returned to convince the family not to kill the animal in retaliation. The family’s young daughter, Tenzin Bhuti Gurung, accepted an offer to apprentice with Tshiring to escape an arranged marriage, and the pair travelled together across the spectacular Himalayan landscape in search of the snow leopard. Amidst centuries-old patriarchy and the changing landscape, they are seeking to save snow leopards together.

Now with support from the Snow Leopard Conservancy, their team focuses on sustainable, practical projects that engage and employ local youth by promoting ecotourism, sustainable livelihoods and environmental and conservation education.

Tshiring’s efforts are shifting local (and with the release in 2025 of a documentary film, Snow Leopard Sisters, global) perceptions of the snow leopard from a threat to an asset for the community. Tshiring and her team and partners are working on:

• reduce retaliatory killings through local conservation education,
• construction of predator-proof corrals, and
• establishing a green local economy enmeshed with snow leopard conservation.

Women dressed in typical Tibetan clothes inside their home in Ladakh, Kashmir, India.

Predator-Proof Corrals: A Win-Win Solution

One of the most effective ways to protect both livestock and snow leopards is through the construction of predator-proof corrals. These enclosures ensure that snow leopards cannot prey on domestic animals, reducing economic losses for herders and eliminating the need for retaliation against the big cats.

These corrals:

• Hold up to 700 mixed livestock (goats, sheep, and yaks), safeguarding them from nighttime attacks.
• Utilize locally sourced stone foundations to prevent snow leopards from digging underneath.
• Feature metal mesh roofing, ensuring that leopards cannot leap into the enclosures.
• Engage local women in construction, providing economic empowerment, conservation education and community stability.

Similar programs in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India, have demonstrated remarkable success. Since 2001, nearly 200 predator-proof corrals have been built, dramatically reducing the number of livestock lost to snow leopards and fostering a sense of pride in conservation efforts.

Conan Dumenil, Naturalist Guide and Spotter © Ralph Lee Hopkins

Creating Jobs in Snow Leopard Conservation and Eco-Travel

Snow leopard tourism has emerged as a powerful conservation tool, transforming the presence of the rare cats into a source of income and pride for local communities. Managed well, conservation travel proves that economic prosperity and wildlife protection go hand in hand by:

• Training the next generation of trackers, guides and conservationists
• Providing opportunities in the travel and hospitality sectors
• Generating local markets for farmers and herders, artists and more.

The economic stability available from sustainable wildlife tourism in the Himalayas can transform a family. According to the Himalayan Homestays Program, initiated by the Snow Leopard Conservancy–India Trust, a similar tourism model in Ladakh has been in place since 2002, and generates $750 to $1,190 per family each season. This income far surpasses earnings from traditional herding and has helped shift local attitudes toward snow leopard conservation.

Snow Leopard Spotter © Ralph Lee Hopkins

Innovative Deterrents: Simple Snow Leopard Solutions

Predator-proof corrals provide long-term security; other creative solutions help communities live in harmony with snow leopards:

• Solar-Charged Foxlights: Distributed to over 100 herders in Dolpo, these blinking LED lights deter nocturnal snow leopard attacks.
• Playing Radios & Burning Dung: These traditional methods create sensory deterrents that discourage predators from entering livestock areas.
• Community-Based Monitoring: Local conservationists work with herders to document and track snow leopard movements, allowing for proactive conservation efforts.

These solutions demonstrate that peaceful coexistence is achievable through collaboration, education, and innovative thinking.

Photographed by Nat Hab Guest © Keri She

Contribute to Coexistence for Snow Leopards and Communities

Wildlife-based travel is a key financial driver of conservation efforts in Ladakh, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia. By choosing responsible travel operators that reinvest in conservation, travelers can directly contribute to snow leopard protection while experiencing one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

The future of snow leopards is filled with promise, thanks to the inspiring efforts of conservationists, local communities, and travelers who choose to support ethical wildlife tourism.

Tshiring Lhamu Lama’s groundbreaking work in Nepal highlights the power of community-driven conservation, proving that when local people see value in protecting wildlife, long-term change is not only possible—it’s already happening.

For travelers seeking a meaningful, conservation-focused adventure, snow leopard trekking in Ladakh and Nepal offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness one of the world’s most elusive big cats, while directly contributing to their survival. Supporting sustainable tourism, investing in local conservation efforts, and promoting coexistence, travelers and communities alike are playing a crucial role in securing a future for these magnificent cats.

Looking for More on Snow Leopards & Their Habitat?

Nat Hab offers two snow leopard itineraries: Snow Leopard Quest Photo Expedition & Land of the Snow Leopard. Whether you’re preparing for your upcoming snow leopard expedition or just want to learn more about the alluring cats that roam the Indian Himalayas, we’ve got you covered.

• On our Know Before You Go: Snow Leopards of the Himalayas page, we’ve rounded up an array of useful resources, from wildlife guides and packing tips to compelling first-hand accounts written by Nat Hab travelers and staff.
• Get photo tips from our blog post 6 Iconic Shots to Capture in the Land of the Snow Leopard, and watch the Daily Dose of Nature below—Expedition Leader and pro photographer Surya Ramachandran shares his advice for photographing the “ghost of the mountains,” including must-bring camera gear and tips for shooting through a scope and in cold climes.

The post Saving Snow Leopards: Conservation Travel Contributes to Coexistence first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.