Today is the launch of Humane Travels, which will give people an opportunity to tour sites where Humane Society International has worked with animal protection programs while their travel fees provide much needed income to local animal protection groups. The program’s first trip to South Africa is in January.
“This is an excellent opportunity to showcase our animal protection work and give travelers an unforgettable vacation at the same time,” said Toby Bloom, HSI’s director of Wildlife Ecotourism. “We are thrilled that Humane Travels will provide financial help to local animal protection groups, while celebrating wildlife in a humane and environmentally friendly way. In the future, we’re hoping to offer trips to other countries where we work, like Bhutan, Canada and Guatemala.”
The organization is launching regular trips throughout 2011 to the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary, home to hundreds of rescued wild animals, and a member of the Humane Society International’s Wildlife Land Trust network. Trip participants will spend six nights and seven days at SanWild viewing the wild animals living in the Sanctuary and enjoying South Africa’s many natural wonders, such as the world famous Blyde River Canyon.
Through the generous donations of its members, HSI has provided SanWild funding in 2010 to help feed 16 lions who were rescued from a canned lion hunting operation and who now reside at the Sanctuary. HSI has also contributed to SanWild’s Vervet Monkey Rescue Project.
