Role of science in managing the impacts of wildlife tourism

Wildlife tourism, the viewing of wildlife in their natural environment, is one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism world wide. For countries such as Australia, the presence of diverse and unusual wildlife is a major influence on visitors choosing Australia as a destination. Little is known, however, about the impacts on the wildlife on which such tourism depends. Australia has a long history of wildlife science, in particular wildlife biology, but the link between these pursuits and managing wildlife tourism remains poor. Given the diversity of possible impacts and possible responses, plus concerns surrounding sustainability, it is essential that good scientific research is available to inform the management of wildlife tourism. This research draws on actor-network theory and material semiotics to explore the relationships and potential transformations between scientists, wildlife and managers involved in both terrestrial and marine wildlife tourism.