Sudhakar R (Jan 27, 2023). “too much ecotourism hurts Tigers in reserves”: Hyderabad News – Times of India. The Times of India. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/too-much-ecotourism-hurts-tigers-in-reserves/articleshow/97361931.cms?from=mdr
The Telangana forest department’s move to revive ecotourism in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve has brought about more attention to human presence’s impact on the endangered species. The study has shown high levels of stress hormones in the tiger’s scat. Although there was no significant difference in the stress hormone concentration between the two separate tiger reserves, concentrations were significantly higher in tigers during the tourism periods compared to the non-tourism period. The tourist vehicles and disturbance levels also correlated significantly with the tigers’ stress hormone levels.
While most people focus on the positive outcomes that result from ecotourism, the negative effects can’t be ignored. Because ecotourists focus on natural sights, an endangered species of tiger’s reserve would be a popular destination. Although ecotourism is definitely beneficial for the local economy, tourists also add to the stress of the tigers in captivity. I’m not sure what a great solution for this would be as ecotourism is most likely beneficial for the reserve staff and upkeep but the tiger’s health is also at risk.
I found it super interesting that people were able to detect the levels of stress hormones in tigers in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. It makes sense that the concentration of tiger stress hormones is higher during periods of tourism because these levels of disturbance must be confusing and overwhelming to the animals on the reserve. Therefore, I’d like to know what we can do/are doing to help reduce the tigers’ stress. Are we limiting ecotourism? How would that affect the local economy?
I think that it is fascinating how levels stress levels in “top” species like tigers can be significantly affected by ecotourism. I like that you pointed out that combined with stress from captivity, the added stress from ecotourism could put tigers over the edge. Do you think ecotourism is the real issue here or the simply fact that across the world, we hold wild animals in captivity?