Is Ecotourism an Opportunity for Large Wild Animals to Thrive?

• Published in: Sustainability
• Main Authors: Svetlana Ivanova, Alexander Prosekov, Anatoly Kaledin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2022
• Subjects: ecotourism; nature protection; large wild animals; moose ( Alces alces ); Kuzbass; Environmental effects of industries and plants; TD194-195; Renewable energy sources; TJ807-830; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Murmansk; Alces alces; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052718; https://doaj.org/article/6d96b261d430486abe0f02deb7a6cae5

The development of ecotourism involving wild animals in Russia is overlooked despite the fact that the country’s territory is significant not only in terms of area but also in terms of the diversity of its flora and fauna. A significant part of Russia’s territory has a low population density, especially beyond the Ural ridge. It retains its natural primeval nature, which can contribute to the development of ecotourism. Initial attempts have been made to develop this, mainly in the European part (Tatarstan, Murmansk Region, the Baltic Sea, Baikal, Altai), but the commercial use of wild animals within ecotourism programs, including the ones in Siberia and the Far East, has not been discussed. This work focuses on the basics of launching ecotourism in the industrial region of Siberia (Kuzbass, Russia) as part of the Alces alces conservation program.