When you go on vacation, you can’t only admire the sights of the region. No, there’s also local flora and fauna to discover!  And aren’t encounters with animals that you don’t usually see super exciting? Our Green Pearls partners are always committed to supporting ethical animal encounters. 

But what makes an animal encounter ethical or unethical? As a general rule: if the animal is forced to do it, it’s probably not ethical. If the animal is injured or drugged in the process, then it is definitely not ethical. Fortunately, in Germany, there are animal protection laws that prevent the exploitation of animals. But in some other countries, you should be careful that you don’t unknowingly support an institution that doesn’t treat its charges so lovingly. Because: there are great ways you can observe animals on vacation without harming them.

Meet the groundhogs in Zermatt

Despite the lack of guided tours around the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt and the CERVO you can still have encounters with wildlife.

On the ski lifts between Gant-Blauherd or Furi-Schwarzsee you can spot chamois in winter as well as in summer. In spring and summer, you can even meet marmots here. In winter, however, the rodents are sleeping. 

Fun Fact: The Swiss also call them “Munggen”, and in Upper Bavaria and neighboring Salzburg they are known as “Mankei”. But all these names refer to the same animal, that has become well known through the movie “Groundhog Day”.

Deer in Warper forest

Do you only know Bambi from movies and television? Then it’s time for a visit to Okelmann’s in Warpe! In the vast forests and the Warper heath land, you have the best chance to meet any kind of deer.
 
If you have your own four-legged friend, he is also welcome at Okelmann’s. Whether you are hiking or biking, you will have a lot of fun exploring the northern German flora and fauna alone or with your (four-legged) partner.

Experiencing elephants up close

You can also marvel at more exotic animals in some places with a clear conscience. At Keemala, for example. The Thai resort is home to many rescued and adopted animals, including water buffalos, goats, ducks, and fish. In October 2021, the resort welcomed a new resident! The water buffalo gave birth to the newest member of the Keemala animal family.
 
The boutique resort is not only home to a variety of animals, but also supports an ethical treatment. For example, guests can meet the Asian elephants in the local “sanctuaries.” Here, horseback riding and shows are not allowed. Instead, guests can feed the animals and watch them forage for food.

Animals as landscape keepers

However, wild animals are not only beautiful to look at. Near the Creativhotel Luise is the Tennenloher Forst nature reserve. Sandy grasslands, heaths and sparse pine forests alternate here with bog areas and small bodies of water. To preserve the landscape as it is, the Tennenloher Forst has had four-legged landscape keepers since 2003: wild horses and peacock goats.

They are located in a 100-hectare enclosure and therefore not always easy to see directly. If you feel like watching the animals, it is best to plan a nice hike around the enclosure. In the beautiful nature of the Tennenloher Forest, you can find more than 1,800 different species of animals and plants. 

Do you like to watch them closer? Then we propose a hike around the Tennenloher Forest, where you can find more than 1,800 different species of animals and plants.

Aren’t such casual encounters much nicer – for you and the animals you want to observe?

Read more: SUSTAINABLE VACATION RENTALS

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