#20 Wild Encounters Done Right: Protecting Animals & Our Planet with Connie Needham

When we travel, many of us dream of up-close encounters with wildlife—but at what cost? In this episode, we sit down with Connie Needham, an ethical wildlife tourism educator, to uncover the dos and don’ts of responsible travel. We explore how the mistreatment of animals can contribute to climate change, the hidden harm behind common tourist activities, and how improper interactions with wildlife impact ecosystems and our relationship with nature. Plus, we break down the red and green flags to look for when choosing ethical wildlife tourism experiences. Tune in to learn how to travel responsibly while protecting the animals we admire.Contact Info:Instagram: connie.needhamYouTube channel: @ConnieNeedhamWildlifeEthical wildlife project: https://www.projectwild.ukWildlife experiences mentioned during the podcast:Elephant riding camp turned sanctuary:https://changchill.comEle sanctuary in Cambodia:https://elephantvalleyproject.org