147 stories
Long before people around the world began referring to New Zealanders as “kiwis,” the indigenous Maori held the kiwi bird in high regard. They called this elusive, flightless bird—found burrowing through forests, scrublands and grasslands—the hidden bird of Tane, the god of the forest: te manu huna a Tane.
Walking under an emerald canopy, you listen to the sounds of croaking tree frogs enshrouded by mighty basket ferns and catch a flash of color from the chattering birds overhead. Giant fan palms shade you from the heat of the sun, and the air is filled with the intoxicating smells of jungle flowers.
In China’s Sichuan province, dense mountain forests shelter rare wildlife found almost nowhere else on Earth. Here are five reasons why this region should be your next nature adventure—from giant pandas and golden monkeys to remote reserves and highland landscapes.
The Kimberley, located in the northernmost part of Western Australia, is a region of unspoiled natural beauty that beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. With its rugged landscapes, rich Indigenous culture and diverse ecosystems, the Kimberley offers an array of awesome sights and experiences.
—By Whitney Kent, WWF Many people haven’t even heard of Borneo. Others may say, “Borneo! Wait…where is Borneo?” The latter was the typical reaction when I said I was joining WWF’s travel partner, Natural Habitat Adventures, to this Southeast Asian Island, jointly shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
For years, wildfires have plagued the landscape of Indonesian Borneo’s Ketapang Regency, threatening its communities and the region’s flora and fauna, which includes proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, sun bears and more than 30 varieties of orchids. Indonesia’s already endangered orangutans are especially at risk.
Spring forward from so-called winter woes into a season full of possibilities! From wildflowers to wildlife, this time of year offers travelers great weather, fewer crowds and blooming landscapes.
What Is Tadoba National Park Famous For? Tadoba National Park is one of India’s best destinations for seeing wild Bengal tigers. Located in Maharashtra in central India, this protected area is part of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, one of the country’s 58 Project Tiger reserves.
The Khata Corridor, a critical 15-mile wildlife passage along the shared border of Nepal’s Bardia National Park and India’s Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, is a beacon of hope for tiger conservation in South Asia.
“Looking deeply into your tea, you see that you are drinking fragrant plants that are the gift of Mother Earth. You see the labor of the tea pickers; you see the luscious tea fields and plantations in Sri Lanka, China, and Vietnam. You know that you are drinking a cloud; you are drinking the rain.
Many adventurers are drawn to the Himalayas of northern India either for the challenging mountain climbing or for the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. But among sheer cliffs, snowfields and whitewashed monasteries flying their primary-colored prayer flags live some of the most elusive, tough and fascinating creatures on Earth.
“Love at first sight” is how conservationist Helen Freeman described meeting a pair of Earth’s rarest creatures one day in 1972. Nicholas and Alexandra had made the long journey from Russia—then known as the Soviet Union—to be raised and studied at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington.
