At Liberty Canyon, the freeway cuts through habitat that animals once moved between freely. For mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, the road has limited their ability to reach potential mates on the other side. The crossing is also intended to reduce collisions with wildlife, protecting both animals and the hundreds of thousands of drivers who use the freeway each day. 

The 210-foot (64-metre) span over the freeway is the larger of two linked bridges. A second takes animals over neighbouring Agoura Road, so they can clear both roads in one passage. Together, the structures cover nearly 56,000 square feet (5,200 square metres). Crews have planted oaks and other native vegetation to make the route resemble the habitat on either side. Fencing will guide animals towards the crossing, while barriers will shield them from headlights and traffic noise.

Construction began on Earth Day in 2022. Officials initially hoped to finish in 2025, but heavy rain and flooding delayed the work. The estimated cost rose from $92 million to $114 million, a rise AccuWeather attributed to inflation, labour shortages and the complexity of construction. At Agoura Road alone, crews had to relocate power and telecommunications lines, reroute a regional water main and install concrete supports about 75 feet deep while working around two creeks and dozens of mature oaks. 

Project partners have already spotted coyotes and bobcats near the bridge during construction. Once it opens, researchers will be able to compare animal movements with findings from a two-year study that tracked five species before the crossing was available. More than 50 cameras are planned for the bridge and surrounding area. Scientists also plan to fit animals such as deer with devices that record heart rate to see whether they show signs of stress as they cross.

For researchers who have spent decades studying wildlife around Liberty Canyon, one measure of success will be whether animals previously separated by the freeway begin breeding across it. As David Szymanski, superintendent of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, put it, “This forward-looking project will help to end the isolation and reconnect natural habitat.”

L’article World’s largest wildlife crossing set to open over California’s 10-lane freeway in December est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A lot has been written and said about jet lag, especially since the rise of commercial aviation in the 20^th century. The phenomenon is defined as the discrepancy that occurs between our circadian rhythm and the actual time when travelling over large east-west distances. Aside from having difficulty staying awake during the flight or upon arrival, this can create a long list of problems, both short-term and long-term.

But what about animals? Do they also suffer from jet lag? While most do not travel over such long distances under normal circumstances, as they lack the speed and endurance, some do. Migrating (sea)birds in particular are used to cover long distances, navigating on their internal compass, led by the sun and the surroundings. And they may thus very well get jet-lagged, in theory.

A new study publish in Science has analysed the effect of long east-west journeys on Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), a kind of migrating seabird living on the west coast of the United Kingdom. After GPS tracking a substantial number of Manx shearwaters for over 20 years, the researchers came to some interesting conclusions.  

According to the study, when the birds fly home to their colonies after foraging trips over the Atlantic Ocean – trips that may cover distances of up to 1,000 kilometres – their sense of time and navigation was sometimes disrupted by the speed at which they were travelling.

This error is made possible by the fact that their internal compass relies on the Sun, more specifically on the endogenous clock to track the Sun’s arc. When travelling east-west, time shifts can cause mismatches between their internal clock and local time.

“For most navigational tasks, it is thought that compass systems are used in conjunction with a map system in a kind of two-step process. In the map step, the animal determines where it is in relation to a goal, such as a home colony. Then in the compass step it uses a compass to translate that into movement,” Tim Guilford, a University of Oxford professor of animal behaviour and one of the study’s lead authors, told Reuters.

Due to this double control system, most adult shearwaters did not steer off course very much. At most, their route was off by 15 degrees, which they were able to correct rather quickly. Generally speaking, this led to an extra 5 kilometres during a 1,000 kilometre journey. However, first-time migrant birds could be thrown off by hundreds of kilometres as they do not yet have a map sense to set them straight. 

Scientists have discovered that humans aren’t the only species to suffer from jet lag: Birds can get it, too. While studying Manx Shearwaters who fly over the Atlantic Ocean, they noticed the time zone change would cause them to veer off course and lose track of where they are. https://t.co/9GR0LFmEF5

— Pubity (@pubity) October 30, 2026

“Animals use an internal clock to do this, the same one that tells our bodies when to sleep, when to be active. The process behind what we’re observing here — the mismatch between the internal clock and external time caused by longitudinal movements — is exactly the same as what causes jet lag in humans,” stated Patrick Lewin, an ecologist at the University of Oxford and the study’s lead author, in an interview with Reuters.

The study is a first of its kind, tracking the effect of large east-west journeys on birds under natural circumstances. As the errors remain relatively small, it is not yet clear what the effect of the jet lag on the birds may be. However, consequences on their diet, reproductive scheme, and other aspects of their lives are not ruled out. By studying and understanding the effect of such jet lags on the birds, the researchers believe they may gain a better understanding of the long-term effects on humans.

L’article Study shows migrating seabirds also suffer from jet lag est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Birdwatching as an activity is far from new. Scientists have been doing it for centuries – if not longer – and many a household has at least one bird-identifying book sitting on a shelf. But over the last few years, an increasing number of people have started to become interested in the matter.

Travellers in particular are now organising their voyages in such a way as to be able to spot birds while on holiday. In November 2025, global travel booking platform GetYourGuide already included birdwatching in its Hidden Trends List for 2026, citing the #BirdTok movement on TikTok among other things.

And things aren’t about to change anytime soon. In a press release published in September 2026, GetYourGuide states that bookings of birdwatching experiences are up by 65% compared to the same time in 2025. #BirdTok has racked up more than 1 billion views on TikTok, while GetYourGuide research found that 45% of travellers now consider birdwatching to be cool.

“Birdwatching as a travel experience has flown well beyond being a ‘Hidden Trend.’ It’s growing in popularity every month as travellers rediscover ways to connect with nature and disconnect from the daily hustle – whether that’s among a flamboyance of flamingos in southern France or spotting rare sightings in your own city,” said Anne Wallin, GetYourGuide’s global trends and experiences expert.

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The trend is confirmed by the French tour operator and travel agency Voyageurs du Monde. Birdwatching is featured in its Top Travel Trends for 2027, a list published on 13 October 2026. 

“First, it was film photography. Then it was crochet. Now we’re heading into the birdwatching era. An increasingly inescapable digital society is driving a return to vintage and analogue hobbies, and 2027 is set to be the year of birdwatching,” Voyageurs du Monde writes.

According to their research, 750,000 Gen Zers in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, representing a 1,088% increase since 2018. However, regular birdwatching has been embraced by all generations over the past eight years, with a 47% increase overall according to a study by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds published in 2026. 

Following the publication of those numbers by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, insurance company AllClear Travel analysed a list of over 100 of the world’s most popular birding sites in order to determine which ones are the very best. Based on a number of criteria, including the number of bird species recorded and how comfortable the birdwatching conditions are, they put together two lists: one ranking the best birdwatching spots in the world, one ranking the best birdwatching destinations in Europe.

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The 10 best birdwatching destinations in the world according to AllClear

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Публикация от Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

The 10 best birdwatching spots in Europe according to AllClear

1. Falsterbo Peninsula, Sweden

2. Titchwell Marsh, England

3. Fair Isle, Scotland

4. Kalloni Saltpans, Lesvos, Greece

5. Minsmere, England

6. Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece

7. Rutland Water, England

8. Slimbridge Wetland Centre, England

9. Bowling Green Marsh, England

10. Ria Formosa Natural Park, Portugal

Given the wide variety of spots included in the rankings, travellers who want to organise a birdwatching holiday should be able to easily find a region that suits their birdwatching and other holiday needs. While planning a trip, however, it is important to take seasonality into account. Just like everything else in nature, the lives of birds are intricately linked to the changing seasons, meaning the same birdwatching spot will not deliver the same experience in February as in September.

L’article Birdwatching set to become one of the top travel trends for 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Animal cafés offer visitors the opportunity to spend time near animals or interact with them during their visit. Some house familiar pets, including cats and dogs, while others display wild species such as marmots, owls and otters. This means that businesses described as animal cafés can house very different animals with different needs. The nationwide survey will include cafés with domestic pets as well as those keeping exotic species. Its scope therefore extends beyond the wildlife attractions that have drawn particular concern from researchers.

The survey will examine the conditions in which animals are kept and how visitors interact with them. According to Environment Ministry official Takuya Ishikawa, Japan lacks specific standards governing these cafés and the handling of many exotic species. Ishikawa said animal welfare groups had regularly shared findings from their own research with the ministry. Experts on a government advisory panel had also repeatedly raised concerns about potential problems. The investigation will bring greater scrutiny to a sector where existing requirements do not specifically address all the animals visitors may encounter.

Research by WWF Japan and Hokkaido University provides an indication of the concerns surrounding wildlife cafés. Researchers visited 25 cafés near Tokyo in June and July 2025 and recorded 1,702 animals on display. These included 31 species classified as threatened with extinction, meaning they face a risk of disappearing from the wild. The findings were published in October 2025, separately from the government’s new nationwide survey. The presence of threatened species raised questions about both animal welfare and the trade supplying these businesses. These findings describe the cafés visited by the researchers and should not be treated as a complete picture of every animal café in Japan.

The research also highlighted a connection between visitor attractions and animal sales. Of about 80 registered wildlife cafés in Tokyo and Osaka, three-quarters were also registered to sell animals. This registration does not, by itself, show that a business is involved in illegal trading. However, it places these attractions within Japan’s wider market for live animals. A separate WWF report published in September 2026 found that Japan was the world’s second largest importer of both live reptiles and mammals by value in 2024. That report highlighted risks including released pets becoming invasive species, which can spread and harm local wildlife.

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Health and safety are another part of the government’s concerns. More than 90% of the cafés visited by researchers displayed animals considered at high risk of causing injury through contact. Samples from four cafés also tested positive for enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, known as EHEC, a type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhoea. The separate WWF report highlighted the spread of zoonotic diseases, which are infections that can pass between animals and people. These findings concern identified risks and samples, rather than establishing that every visitor becomes ill or suffers an injury. The government also plans a public awareness campaign, acknowledging that it has not done enough to explain the risks of interacting with exotic animals.

Some operators have welcomed the prospect of stronger oversight. “Japan is clearly lagging behind when it comes to (animal welfare) regulation,” said Syaina Nozaki, manager of Owl Otter Cafe in Kamakura, near Tokyo. Her café houses rescued animals, according to the report. Nozaki hopes regulation will help distinguish facilities such as hers from less responsible operators focused solely on profit. Her response shows that the discussion about future rules also involves businesses seeking clearer distinctions within the industry.

L’article Japan launches nationwide animal café survey over welfare and health concerns est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

International Orangutan Day, marked annually on 19 August, aims to raise global awareness about the plight of orangutans and the urgent need to protect their natural habitats.

All three species, the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutans, face a high risk of extinction, with habitat loss among the biggest threats to their survival. Widespread deforestation linked to palm oil plantations, illegal logging and mining, as well as the illegal pet trade, continue to put populations under pressure.

Orangutans mainly eat fruit and play an essential role in dispersing seeds throughout the rainforest, helping the wider ecosystem flourish. This has earned them the nickname “gardeners of the forest”.

For every captive orangutan sold through the exotic pet trade, up to 11 others can be killed during the capture process. Many animals taken from the wild also fail to survive the journey.

Two orangutan families at Pairi Daiza

Pairi Daiza, an animal park and botanical garden in Brugelette, Hainaut, is contributing to efforts to preserve the species through conservation, breeding and public awareness.

The park held a special “orangutan weekend” on 15 and 16 August, giving visitors the opportunity to meet its two orangutan families, take part in activities and learn about conservation work protecting their relatives in the wild.

“Through encounters with the animals and their keepers and a special guided tour, visitors learned more about these remarkably intelligent great apes, their way of life and the growing threats facing them in the wild,” a park spokesperson said.

“The weekend also highlighted the urgent work being carried out in Borneo, where the 2026 forest-fire season has begun and the forests on which orangutans depend are once again under severe pressure.”

The award-winning park is home to nine Sumatran orangutans living in two family groups in its Kingdom of Ganesha.

Ujian, Sari, Berani and Mathaï live in the Flower Temple. Just opposite, Kembali, Rosa, Indah, Yori and Bukit live in the House of the Artisan.

The second family arrived at Pairi Daiza from Frankfurt Zoo in November 2025 as part of the European Ex Situ Programme coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.

Their arrival allowed the five orangutans to remain together while contributing to the responsible management of a healthy European population of this critically endangered species.

First encounter between the two families

In July, both orangutan families were outside at the same time for the first time, a moment Niels Vandemeulebroucke, orangutan caretaker at Pairi Daiza, described as “a wonderful milestone”.

“For Kembali and his family, almost everything was new: trees to climb, ropes and branches to explore, birds, toys, places to rest, and an entire world of movement around them,” he told Travel Tomorrow.

“You could really see how stimulating their new environment was.”

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Their neighbours in the Flower Temple were equally intrigued.

“At first, the whole family climbed high into the trees to get a better look at the newcomers. Interestingly, there were no striking vocalisations or direct interactions, and the initial curiosity quickly settled down,” Vandemeulebroucke said.

“Today, both families are once again mainly focused on the relationships within their own group.”

As ambassadors for their species, Pairi Daiza’s orangutans can help visitors understand the extraordinary intelligence of the great apes while providing a connection with their wild relatives and the rapidly disappearing forests on which their survival depends.

“Our role is to keep challenging them,” Vandemeulebroucke said.

“We continuously create new enrichments and opportunities to explore, think and interact, because orangutans are exceptionally intelligent animals.”

Pairi Daiza covers 75 hectares on the site of the former Cistercian Cambron Abbey and is home to more than 7,000 animals.

L’article How Belgian animal park Pairi Daiza is helping protect endangered orangutans  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

From 4 to 6 September 2026, breeders, riders, researchers, artists and horse enthusiasts from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond will come together for the World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition of the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses. More than a sporting event, the championship will serve as a celebration of heritage, science, culture and international cooperation.

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A Horse Like No Other

The Akhal-Teke is widely regarded as one of the oldest and most distinctive horse breeds in the world. Renowned for its remarkable endurance, intelligence, elegance and shimmering metallic coat, it has fascinated horse lovers and historians for centuries.

Euronews recently described the breed as “the extremely rare horse with satin-like reflections”, highlighting its unique appearance and rarity. The breed’s prestige extends far beyond Turkmenistan. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for example, is known to own an Akhal-Teke horse, reflecting the admiration the breed commands throughout the Turkic world.

The Akhal-Teke has also left its mark on European history. In 1993, a horse of this breed was presented to French President François Mitterrand, symbolising friendship and cultural diplomacy. Distinguished by its tall stature, long legs, refined head, expressive eyes, long, elegant neck and exceptional athleticism, the Akhal-Teke is considered by many specialists to be one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world.

A symbol of freedom and Turkmen identity

For the Turkmen people, as for many nomadic civilisations of Central Asia, the horse has always been far more than a means of transportation. It has represented freedom, honour, strength and survival.

Today, the Akhal-Teke stands at the heart of Turkmenistan’s national identity and cultural heritage. Its image appears in official symbols, works of art, literature, and public celebrations.

@ankastables “Atanız geldi” #ahalteke ♬ оригинальный звук – ЕРКЕБҰЛАН ДӘУЛЕТКЕЛДІҰЛЫ

The breed’s history, however, has not been without hardship. During the Soviet collectivisation campaigns and political repression of the 1930s, traditional horse breeding suffered dramatic setbacks. The number of horses across Central Asia declined sharply, and many pure Akhal-Teke bloodlines disappeared. Despite these challenges, dedicated breeders managed to preserve the breed, ensuring its survival for future generations.

The resilience of the Akhal-Teke mirrors that of the people who raised it. From the deserts of Turkmenistan to international equestrian arenas, it remains a living symbol of endurance and perseverance.

Gathering the world’s finest Akhal-Tekes

The festivities will begin on 4 September 2026 with the arrival of participating horses at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre.

On Friday, 4 September, visitors will witness the opening stages of the World Beauty Championship, where young horses and mares will be evaluated by an international panel of judges. Participants will be assessed on conformation, movement, breed characteristics, elegance and overall presentation.

The sporting program will also commence with a dressage competition, offering spectators a demonstration of the precision, grace, and intelligence for which the Akhal-Teke is famous.

Championship Day

On Saturday, 5 September, guests will be welcomed to the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre before attending the open conference of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association. Visitors will also be able to explore exhibitions dedicated to horse breeding, equestrian culture, traditional craftsmanship, visual arts and creative works inspired by the Akhal-Teke.

The championship competition will continue with presentations of adult horses before judges select the winners in each category.

The ultimate highlight will be the crowning of the World Champion Akhal-Teke Horse, the highest distinction in international Akhal-Teke breeding.

The day will conclude with an awards ceremony honoring the winners of the beauty and sporting competitions, as well as artists, sculptors, painters, photographers, and carpet weavers whose works celebrate the beauty of the horse.

More than a championship

For three days, Kronenberg will become the world capital of the Akhal-Teke. The event will celebrate not only the finest representatives of this exceptional breed but also the enduring relationship between humans and horses that has shaped civilizations for thousands of years.

In September 2026, the Akhal-Teke will be more than a champion. It will be a living ambassador of history, beauty, resilience, and cultural heritage, reminding the world that some traditions are truly timeless.

Entry is free for all visitors. More information about the programme and practical details is available on the oficial Akhal-Teke Championship 2026 event page

L’article Legendary Akhal-Teke horses are coming to Europe est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Sabi Sabi is a family-owned South African hospitality group, running safari lodges since 1979, which also operates the long-established Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve and the Claremont Boutique Hotel in Cape Town. Sandringham is its newest and, it says, most exclusive property.

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The nearly 5,000-hectare reserve, which borders the Timbavati and Thornybush game reserves, is made up of two camps of six suites each: N’weti, named for the Drakensberg Mountains, and Shisaka.

The opening of Sandringham Private Game Reserve marks a significant victory for conservationists who, with patience and careful rehabilitation, have worked to rebuild trust between humans and animals, helping wildlife relearn that human presence no longer necessarily equates with danger. Guests can now explore the reserve on game drives and walking and birding safaris.

It also reflects a deliberate shift away from a still-viable revenue model, as hunting concessions continue to operate in South Africa, making Sandringham’s bet on eco-tourism instead all the more commendable.

As part of the project, Sabi Sabi also partnered with the Tracker Training Academy, which trains young people from neighbouring communities for careers as professional wildlife trackers.

For Jacques Smit, Sabi Sabi’s marketing director, “watching the land recover and wildlife return has been one of the most rewarding journeys in our history”.

Smit further explains that what drew the company to the project was the opportunity to nurse an exceptional landscape back to health while building a safari business with staying power, creating lasting value for wildlife, local communities and future generations of travellers.

The newly built suites come with private infinity pools, indoor-outdoor bathrooms and nest-like relaxation decks drawing on Tsonga architectural heritage. The central lodge has a spa, gym and children’s education centre, while meals are served in an open-air boma, complete with a wine display showcasing South African estates. Guests can even fly in via the reserve’s private airstrip.

For those seeking even greater privacy, Shisaka has two private villas, while the four-bedroom Sandringham House, set upstream from the main lodge, offers an exclusive 1,100-square-metre residence for up to eight guests, complete with a dedicated chef, butler and ranger, as well as private safari vehicles.

The rehabilitation itself took years, involving the removal of old fencing and man-made barriers, the repair of eroded soil and the restoration of the reserve’s water catchments – the natural systems of land and vegetation that collect rainfall and feed it into rivers, in this case the Timbavati. Taking down the fences also reconnected Sandringham to the wider, unfenced Greater Kruger Protected Area, allowing predators, elephants and other wildlife to move freely between reserves.

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Four rivers cross the property, which the reserve says keeps water available year-round, even during the dry season. For visitors, that also means plenty of opportunities to spot animals as they come to drink, swim or simply cool off in the water.

This is in keeping with a broader shift towards sustainable, unfenced wildlife corridors across the continent, as operators increasingly lean on the language of sustainability and conservation to appeal to high-end, eco-conscious Western travellers.

Sabi Sabi frames Sandringham as a possible model for other conservation efforts across the continent, a bet that is already being watched elsewhere in Africa, arguing that rewilding degraded land for high-cost, low-density tourism can generate more revenue than hunting, while pointing to Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Laikipia Plateau as places already grappling with similar pressures on land and wildlife.

L’article Former South African hunting reserve reopens as luxury safari retreat est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The municipality of Varde and local tourism organisation Visit Vesterhavet have distributed information leaflets at tourist offices, campsites and holiday homes around Oksbøl, Vejers and Blåvand. Available in Danish, English and German, the guidance tells visitors to remain calm, maintain eye contact and avoid approaching or feeding wolves.

@abs.ability Hierbij ook originele audio, to keep it real.. Het was echt bijzonder om een wolf van zo dichtbij te zien, hoewel het tegelijkertijd ook spannend aanvoelde ondanks het feit dat wij veilig in een auto zaten. We waren onder de indruk van hoe kalm de wolf leek en hoe groot hij was. Hij bleef rustig bij ons in de buurt en hield alles goed in de gaten. Zeker wel 5 minuten. Er is veel ophef over deze filmpje en hoe de wolf zich gedraagt. Volgens wolvenexperts legt deze wolf waarschijnlijk verbanden met auto's en voedsel. Dat hoop ik toch echt van niet!! Ik hoop dat deze doorgaans niet al te schuwe wolf toch iets schuwer wordt voor zowel onze veiligheid als die van de wolven zelf. Province Gelderland wil een vergunning geven om paintbalgeweren te gebruiken om wolven af te schrikken. Schrikken ze dan ook alle wolven die alle schaapjes etc vermoorden (meervoud!!) ? Het is ook duidelijk dat de wolf een beschermd dier is, maar waar is onze/de boeren hun bescherming en van al die schaapjes! Ik hoop ook dat deze filmpjes een wake-up call is voor het groeiende problem waarmee onze samenleving wordt geconfronteerd: de toenemende nabijheid van wolven tot menselijke bewoning. De consequenties voor zowel mens als wolf worden steeds ernstiger op veel verschillende gebieden en manieren. #wolf #wolfnederland #wolves #wolfermelo #wolfpack ♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound

The campaign follows several incidents in which young wolves displayed unusually low levels of fear towards humans. According to the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE), observations around Oksbøl in May indicated that at least one young wolf was exhibiting “significantly reduced shyness” and approaching people.

Authorities stress that there have been no recorded wolf attacks on humans in Denmark and that the current behaviour does not represent an immediate risk of aggressive attacks.

However, visitors are being encouraged to understand how to behave during an encounter, particularly as the Oksbøl area attracts significant numbers of tourists staying in summer cottages and campsites.

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Tourists told to stand still and maintain eye contact

Government advice recommends that anyone encountering a wolf should remain still and maintain eye contact. If the animal does not leave, people can shout, clap their hands and wave their arms to discourage it from approaching further.

Visitors should not follow wolves or turn their backs on an approaching animal. Children under 10 are also advised to be accompanied by an adult in the Oksbøl area.

In the unlikely event of an attack, the guidance tells people to defend themselves using kicks, blows or available objects. If a wolf attacks another person or a dog, authorities recommend directing resistance towards the animal’s hindquarters.

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Varde’s second deputy mayor, Sandie Eis Ravn, said the information campaign was introduced following requests from local businesses to ensure visitors know what to do if they encounter one of the animals.

“If you are visiting somewhere and you know there is a wolf in the nearby forest, [it is important] to make sure you have the right code of conduct when you meet this creature,” she told The Guardian.

49 wolves recorded in Denmark

Wolves disappeared from Denmark after the country’s last known wolf was shot in 1813, but began returning naturally in 2012 after an absence of almost two centuries. By 2017, the first wolf pack had established itself in western Jutland.

According to monitoring by the Natural History Museum of Aarhus, 49 wolves have been recorded in Denmark this year. The population is concentrated in Jutland, with monitoring identifying 10 territories, including seven pairs with pups born in 2025, three pairs without pups and one territorial male.

Wildlife experts believe the behaviour observed near Oksbøl involves young animals becoming accustomed to human presence.

@harreby_wildlifep Ulvene i Danmark lever primært af vilde klovdyr som rådyr og krondyr. Rådyr og krondyr er deres foretrukne byttedyr, og den danske bestand af disse dyr er store, så det sikrer ulvene en stabil fødekilde. De kan også godt spise dådyr. Ulvene supplerer deres kost med mindre dyr som harer, mus og rotter. De kan også jage fugle, fisk og ræve. Ulvene er også gode til at rydde op. Så finder de et påkørt dyr tager de det og spiser. #ulv #ulven #danmark #vildnatur #rovdyr ♬ original sound – harreby_wildlifephoto

Peter Sunde, professor of wildlife ecology at Aarhus University, said at least two young wolves had been observed approaching humans during the winter and spring of 2026, with markedly reduced flight distances.

Such behaviour can develop when young wolves are repeatedly exposed to humans. Authorities are therefore asking residents and tourists not to approach the animals or leave food that could attract them, in an effort to prevent future generations from becoming accustomed to people.

The warning comes as European countries adapt to the recovery of wolf populations. Wolves remain protected under European legislation, although their protection status under the Bern Convention was downgraded in 2025 from “strictly protected” to “protected”, giving governments greater flexibility in managing populations.

For Denmark, where wolves have only recently re-established themselves, authorities are seeking to balance their conservation with public safety as humans and the growing wolf population increasingly share the same landscapes.

L’article Denmark issues wolf warning to tourists after young animals lose fear of humans est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The joint study, produced by the Brunei-based organisation Borneo Futures, the initiative World Weather Attribution, and Liverpool John Moores University, found that at least 58 Tapanuli orangutans were killed during the disaster. The estimate was based on a survey of the western part of the Batang Toru forest, which is home to most of the species’ total population of around 800 individuals. The true death toll could, however, be significantly higher, as the study only covered part of the forest.

The Tapanuli orangutan was only officially recognised as a distinct species in 2017, marking the first time in nearly a century that a new great ape species had been identified by scientists. These primates are renowned for their intelligence, complex social behaviours and tool-using abilities.

Cyclone Senyar triggered extreme rainfall across parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, causing devastating floods and landslides. In Indonesia alone, the disaster killed at least 1,200 people and damaged around 300,000 homes.

Environmental groups have said that rapid deforestation on the island of Sumatra worsened the impact of the catastrophe and could have long-term consequences for already vulnerable species. Researchers have found that human-induced climate change appears to have intensified both the rainfall and the frequency of extreme weather events around the Malacca Strait.

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The findings regarding orangutans were inferred by analysing satellite images of the damage to the western block of Batang Toru and by consulting historical records of orangutan populations in the area. Erik Meijaard, lead author from Borneo Futures, explained that without sufficient forest cover to stabilise the soil, heavy rainfall causes the hillsides to become saturated and collapse in the form of fast-moving landslides, leaving the orangutans with little chance of survival.

“This level of loss is substantial for a species with such a small total population. When combined with ongoing pressures such as habitat degradation and human–wildlife conflict, it further increases the urgency of implementing and adequately funding a coordinated species action plan,” said Meijaard.

His concerns were echoed by Indonesian conservationist Panut Hadisiswoyo, and both researchers urged the authorities to work more closely with NGOs and scientists to prevent similar disasters and protect the remaining population.

While hunting and poaching have historically contributed to the decline of orangutans across Sumatra, conservationists say that the greatest threats today come from habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, infrastructure projects, and human-wildlife conflict, as orangutans are pushed into increasingly smaller areas.

Hadisiswoyo added that, although hunting can be reduced and controlled through conservation efforts, poor land management remains a major challenge that must be addressed if the species is to survive.

L’article Deadly Sumatra floods wipe out 7% of world’s rarest great ape population est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) recognises sharks and rays as “key indicator species” that speak to coral reef health and wider biodiversity. By inviting guests and diving enthusiasts in the region to monitor the species’ numbers in a census, PADI is contributing to a photo identification database that will help in fighting wildlife decline.

A two-day certification process comes first, training every diver to collect and upload photographs of the creatures they see, along with dive location, date and time. This all goes onto an international database on the free-to-use Padi Aware app, to be collated by James Cook University students in Queensland, Australia, and made available to NGOs worldwide.

Suitable for already-certified divers (not beginners), the PADI Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty Course is offered at several of Japan’s diving locations and costs from €162. The course entails a short e-learning module about sharks and rays, why they are endangered, and how the project is fighting those threats, as well as two mandatory 45-minute training dives.

It’s not the first time the local population has worked with unexpected partners to combat environmental challenges. One of the issues facing Okinawa’s reefs is the coral bleaching that occurs during extreme heat. In 1998, in Onna Village in Manza Bay, 90% of the corals were destroyed by bleaching. Local fishers and divers worked hand-in-hand to rescue surviving corals and plant a coral nursery, with the ambition of becoming the most coral-friendly community in the world.

It worked to bring sharks back to underwater limestone formations. But another bleaching during a failed typhoon season in 2024 has again disrupted the habitat. As well as spotting and recording the species that signpost coral health, diving volunteers can track the system’s regrowth in real time.

Reefs in Okinawa have been part of the region’s attractions for years, providing a basis for the marine tourism that is so economically vital. Now, thanks to PADI’s new initiative, instead of passive visitation, guests drawn by those marine habitats can actively participate in protecting the ecosystem, forming a circular economy of attention that aims to keep fish populations, fisheries, and leisure stakeholders healthy for years to come.

L’article Now tourists in Japan can participate in coral and shark protection dives est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.