We love animals and we love traveling. Naturally, we also love traveling to see animals. Whether it’s on a safari, hiking through a national park, or spotting a fox dart across the road on our daily commute, we get so giddy spotting animals in the wild. If you’re as much an animal lover as we are (and if you aren’t, kindly leave now), you’ll love this list of endangered critters and where you can travel to spot them in the wild.
Check ’em out and reduce, reuse, recycle to get all of the endangered and threatened species out of the endangered list.
The Pallas Cat in Siberia
Grumpy cat has nothing on these reclusive felines. Trek over to Sailyugemsky Nature Park in Siberia’s Altai Mountains to see the rare cats up close and personal. Poachers are the main reason for their extinct status, which is why a 32-square kilometer section of the nature park was recently turned into a reserve for the expressive kitties.
The African Leopard in Tanzania
It’s gonna take a lot to drag us awayyyy from these cuties. The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is home to many of the world’s most captivating creatures — including the beautiful and endangered African leopard. Catch a safari and gain access to leopard sightings that are practically guaranteed!
The Himalayan Snow Leopard in Mongolia
Yeah, we’ll just take this one home with us, thanks very much. This leopard can be found in Mongolia‘s remote Altai Mountain Range. You may need to stay for awhile, though, as the cat is often called a “grey ghost” for how little it’s been seen by film crews and villagers alike.
Polar Bears in Canada
But… But… They’re so sweeeeet. One of the few human settlements where polar bears can be observed in the wild, Churchill, a small town in Manitoba, Canada, gets to witness the migration of the bears from their summer homes to their wintery seal hunting grounds. The sightings happen throughout October and November!
Honey Bees in Hawaii
Seriously, can we save the bees already? There are bee farms across the world, but honey bees are still in decline. Which sucks because a third of the food grown in the United States is dependent on honey bee pollination. Check out the balmy farms in Hawaii for a tropical look at the insects.
Lions in Tanzania
Majestic and iconic, lions can easily be seen on safaris in many African countries. One of the most beautiful places to check out is the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, one of the largest faunal reserves in the world.
The Lemur in Madagascar
In the ecologically diverse Madagascar, head to the Parc National d’Andasibe to see 11 endangered lemur species along with a dizzying amount of unique species endemic to the island.
The Whale Shark in Honduras
Don’t worry, they won’t bite! You can dive with these gentle giants all around the world, though perhaps the most scenic place is off of the coast of Utila, Honduras. Check in with the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center for eco-friendly dives.
Saimaa Ringed Seals in Finland
OMG, so fluffy. Can you take the cold? Head to Lake Saimaa in Savonlinna, Finland. It borders Russia and offers activities like kayaking and camping in addition to the ringed seal sightings.
West Indian Manatees in Belize
Manatees were moved off of the endangered list, but there are still necessary measures in place to protect them. Head to the ultra-laid-back town of Caye Caulker, Belize — where signs proclaiming “No shirt, no shoes… No problems” abound — and get ready to eco-dive with some super cute manatees in the stunning Great Belize Barrier Reef.
Have you ever encountered an endangered animal on your travels abroad? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!