Wild animals and tourists

Tourists encounter wild animals both intentionally, in wildlife tourism; and incidentally, in adventure tourism. Some wildlife tour products, enterprises and destinations focus on icon species, others on diversity. Icon species may be large and magnificent, or small and cute. Many birdwatchers, and some diving tourists, maintain lifetime lists of species seen. Individual tourist interests depend strongly on cultural background and prior experience. Tourism creates ecological impacts on wildlife, but in some circumstances may also contribute to conservation. In some circumstances, tourists face physical risks during interactions with wild animals. More generally, tourists viewing or interacting with wild animals experience lasting social and psychological gains.