Andria Teather
G Adventures’ Animal Welfare Policy has received a stamp of approval from one of the most respected names in conservation: Dr. Jane Goodall. Her CEO for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Andria Teather, reveals the motivation behind the new Jane Goodall Collection by G Adventures.
How is this collection of responsible journeys unique from other nature-based travel?
The focus is on local communities and the wellbeing of people, animals and the environment, [which has] a great impact.
How are local communities being empowered through travel?
The Tanzania Safari Experience supports local efforts in Serengeti National Park and the Serengeti Wildlife Research Centre. Travelers also meet Maasai women who benefit from the G Adventures-supported Clean Cookstoves project, which helps reduce indoor pollution. In the Galápagos Islands, travelers visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, stay in a local guesthouse on Floreana Island and dine in community restaurants.
How does the Animal Welfare Policy help to respect local wildlife?
We need to understand that we are entering their space, their homes. We [also] discourage activities in which captive wildlife is used solely for entertainment purposes versus sanctuaries where rescued animals are cared for and protected from harm.
Which G Adventures trip is on your personal bucket list?
The one I would most like to experience is seeing polar bears in their native habitat in Manitoba, Canada. Like the great apes, polar bears have become a symbol of the wild.
What are your hopes for the future of responsible travel?
My hope is that responsible travel becomes the norm instead of being a niche experience. I’d also hope that when someone returns from a trip like this, they have a better understanding of why it’s so important to take action to preserve our planet and all the life here.
Visit our website to browse this special collection of 20 travel experiences that bring you closer to nature while respecting majestic wildlife and their habitats.
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