10 Unique Animal Places to Visit in 2019

Ethical experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai.

BY NIKKI VARGAS, PLACES EDITOR

10 PLACES

In British Columbia, a veritable Club Med exists for cats. In Thailand, a female-founded sanctuary pampers rescued elephants. In the Bahamas, wild pigs have an island all to themselves. This year, Atlas Obscura scoured the planet for incredible animal experiences that are both memorable and ethical, the way all animal tourism should be.  

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1

ISHINOMAKI, JAPAN

Cat Island

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats outnumber the people.

 

 

2

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

Elephant Nature Park

Thailand's distressed elephants find peace at this Chiang Mai sanctuary.

 

 

3

BHIMASHANKAR, INDIA

India's Giant Technicolor Squirrels

These particularly resplendent rodents are the state animal of Maharashtra.

 

 

4

NEW ZEALAND

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

Only 68 people per day are allowed to visit this New Zealand bird-watcher’s paradise.

 

 

5

HIGHLAND, SCOTLAND

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

In the Cairngorm Mountains, you'll find the United Kingdom's only herd of free-range reindeer

 

 

6

BIG MAJOR CAY, BAHAMAS

Pig Beach

In paradise, feral pigs have claimed an island all to themselves.

 

 

7

MESA, ARIZONA

Salt River Wild Horses

These free-roaming horses were once destined to disappear from the land.

 

 

8

SMYRNA, NEW YORK

Wolf Mountain Nature Center

See wolves, coyotes, and arctic foxes in a natural environment just outside New York City.

 

 

9

NAIROBI, KENYA

Nairobi Animal Orphanage

Located in Nairobi National Park, this animal orphanage is the oldest of its kind in Kenya.

 

 

10

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

RAPS Cat Sanctuary

One of the largest cat sanctuaries in North America is considered a "Club Med" for felines.