Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim (2008) The potential of rhino-tourism in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu, Sabah. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
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Abstract
Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni) is beneficial to ecosystems, and is often keystone species. However, Sumatran rhinoceros populations are declining worldwide and conservation efforts are needed to conserve the animal throughout the world. Worldwide, superstitions and myths of Sumatran rhinoceros prevail and prolong human intervention toward the rhino's habitats. In the. case of other species (e.g. proboscis monkeys, Nasalis lalvatus and orang utans, Pongo pymaeus), tourism efforts have led to improving attitudes and species viability. These examples suggest that rhino-tourism has a potential to conserve Sumatran rhinoceros populations while providing social and economic benefits to stakeholders especially the locals in host communities. Therefore, the objectives of the study are to investigate the potential of Sumatran rhinoceros as wildlife tourism product, to explore the role of wildlife tourism and how it specifically relates to Sumatran rhinoceros conservation, and to investigate other product existing in Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The attraction of Sumatran rhinoceros was studied based on seven criteria adopted and improved by Kueh (2005) from WTO/UNDP (1992) that include; endemism, rarity, reliability of sightings, morphological attractiveness, behavioral enticement, safety as well as linkage to local cultures. Majority of the stakeholders are very interested in Sumatran rhinoceros as the animal is rare, safe and its status as critically endangered animal of the world. However, it is of difficult to have a direct sighting of the animal in Tabin's forest as the population is very small. Albeit that rhinos are very hard to encounter with, Tabin Wildlife Reserve has a lot to offer apart from Sumatran rhinoceros, such as beautiful landscape and scenery of Tabin, other unique flora and fauna of Tabin and local community's fascinating lifestyle. In addition, Tabin Wildlife Resort also offered comfortable and spectacular accommodation and other facilities for Tabin's tourists. Moreover, tourism efforts have led to improving attitudes and species viability and examples of successful tourism and conservation of species are like the orang utans and proboscis monkeys. Conversely, In the context of Sumatran rhinoceros, rhino-tourism alone cannot be promoted as more research needs to be done especially on visitors' level of satisfaction. Keywords: Sumatran rhinoceros, rhino-tourism, conservation, level of satisfaction.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Keyword: | Sumatran rhinoceros, Rhino, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harissoni, Endangered species, Tourism, Conservation |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General). Atlases. Maps > G1-922 Geography (General) > G149-180 Travel. Voyages and travels (General) > G154.9-155.8 Travel and state. Tourism ?? QH77_T78J68 ?? Q Science > QL Zoology > QL1-991 Zoology > QL605-739.8 Chordates. Vertebrates > QL700-739.8 Mammals |
| Department: | INSTITUTE > Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation |
| Depositing User: | ADMIN ADMIN |
| Date Deposited: | 29 May 2012 15:38 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Nov 2017 15:36 |
| URI: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/3782 |
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