12 Wildlife Sanctuaries Around the World Offering Unforgettable Animal Encounters
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For adults and kids alike, encountering wild animals is an experience unlike any other. While zoos and safari parks are all very well, seeing conservation in action is truly special. So, if you’d like to contribute in some way, however small, to the care of beautiful mammals or marine creatures, head to one of the following dozen wildlife sanctuaries of the world.
Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary, New Zealand
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Endangered Hector’s Dolphins are among the marine creatures you can see at the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary in New Zealand, close to Christchurch on the South Island. With its distinctive curving fins, this is the smallest dolphin species on earth and is native to the area. You can book cruises to see the dolphins swimming in the ocean, and part of the profits goes towards their conservation.
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Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, Laos
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The Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary is part of a Free the Bears project in Laos, southeast Asia. Since its inception in 2003, the sanctuary has been featured on a BBC TV show, Bears About the House. The project was responsible for the first-ever neurosurgery performed on a bear and has also rescued a huge number of bears. During a Bear Care Tour here, you might also see macaques, civets, leopard cats, tortoises, and even red pandas rescued from smuggling.
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Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia
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Head to the Gold Coast in Queensland to see various native Australian wildlife. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary educates the public about animal welfare and has a sizable animal hospital. Creatures are rehabilitated and ready to be released back into their natural habitat where possible. Animals to visit include koalas, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles, and more.
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Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, India
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If you want to encounter Asiatic lions in the wild, there’s arguably no better place than Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, India. To protect the animals and their habitat, the park operates a very strict visitor code involving permits and guided safari tours. While lions are undoubtedly the star attraction, other creatures include around 300 bird species, Indian leopards, sloth bears, Indian cobras, antelope, and more.
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ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand
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Happy Elephant Valley, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is home to the ethical ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary. The name literally translates as chilled-out elephants, reflecting the sanctuary’s ethos. It’s now a leading light when it comes to animal welfare in the region. Kids and adults visiting the sanctuary can learn about the creatures’ life cycle, habits, and care and observe the half-a-dozen or so resident elephants.
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Verdiazul Turtle Sanctuary, Costa Rica
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Playa Junquillal in Costa Rica is a key nesting site for sea turtles. Olive Ridley and Leatherback Turtles breed here, and the Verdiazul Turtle Sanctuary was established to conserve these lovely creatures. Under their guidance, volunteers patrol the beach, checking for nesting turtles, and then the eggs are brought into the sanctuary’s nursery to hatch in safety. Once they’re ready, the baby turtles are released back into the ocean at sunset.
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Howletts Wild Animal Park, UK
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Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent is a UK charity dedicated to conservation. It forms part of the Aspinall Foundation, focusing on captive breeding and rehabilitation into the wild where feasible. Paying a visit to the park can be a real adventure and a very informative experience. Animals to spot include giant anteaters, leopards, the UK’s biggest herd of African elephants, gorillas, and monkeys.
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Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya was set up to care for orphaned young rhinos and elephants. Every creature here is hand-raised, ready to be reintegrated into their native habitat, as and when this is realistic.
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The sanctuary also works way beyond its boundaries by operating mobile de-snaring teams and veterinary units, plus an anti-poaching program. Hearing all about the individual creatures here makes for an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
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Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Center
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The Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Center is a small sanctuary in County Wexford, Ireland. This organization aims to rehabilitate rescued creatures before returning them to the wild. Seal wellbeing is the number one priority, focusing on rescuing injured, sick, or orphaned pups. The young marine creatures are utterly adorable!
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Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, California
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If you’re traveling on the Pacific Coast Highway, you must stop at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon. You don’t need to reserve a slot, and the rookery is free to visit. It’s also fully accessible, offers parking, and is open daily. The boardwalks and platforms of the Elephant Seal viewing area are ideal for seeing the creatures, and interpretive displays and volunteers explain more about the conservation project.
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Onçafari Association, Brazil
Maned wolves and jaguars are the focus of attention at the Onçafari Association in Brazil. The animals remain free to roam within their natural habitat, while humans can observe from carefully controlled safari vehicles.
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This unique approach has led to thousands of jaguar sightings since 2011, when the association was set up. The conservation practices used here are sustainable and benefit local people and animals.
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Boulders Beach, South Africa
Formerly known as Jackass Penguins, you can find a protected colony of African Penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town, on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula. Three purpose-built boardwalks at Foxy Beach provide visitors with a viewing platform, and these are stroller and wheelchair friendly.
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The conservation project here has seen penguin numbers climb to over 2,000. Park rangers oversee the operation, which includes a nesting zone and a Code of Behaviour.
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Tracy Chesterson is a freelance content writer specializing in travel. UK-based, she’s traveled widely, particularly in Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, and spent a year exploring Australia. Tracy has also worked in the travel trade. In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors and plan future trips.
