This week in travel: It’s a wild world

#1 Albino Giant Panda discovered

Photograph by the Wolong National Nature Reserve

The first known albino giant panda has been found in China. With red eyes, and none of the black markings we know so well, the one to two-year-old panda was captured on camera wandering through a bamboo forest in the Wolong National Nature Reserve.

Researchers believe the panda is physically healthy, suggesting that the mutation is not affecting its ability to live a normal life. That’s a relief, as typically, wild albino animals are likely to have vision problems and are more susceptible to predators.

Read also: A Travel Guide: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

#2 Gone too soon: the Sumatran Rhino

By Charles W. Hardin – Photo Sumatran Rhinos, CC BY 2.0

In a significant blow to the Sumatran rhino, the last male rhino in Malaysia died on Monday. There is believed only to be 30 – 100 Sumatran rhinos still living in the wild – most on the island of Sumatra.

There does remain some hope that these rhinos, the smallest of the remaining five rhino species, can be saved from extinction. However, issues like their fragmented population, poaching and deforestation are working against their survival.

Researchers are trying to bring those in rhino sanctuaries together for breeding purposes. It is believed that they need at least 20 unrelated individuals to save the species.

#3 Chernobyl: New eco-tour explores this wildlife haven/nuclear disaster zone

Ihar Byshniou/Anzenberger/Eyevine

Tour operator APB-Birdlife Belarus is now offering tours to the Palieski State Radioecological Reserve. Palieski, in Belarus, is an involuntary nature reserve as it lies in the nuclear disaster zone of Chernobyl.

Within the reserve, despite the nuclear radiation, wildlife has thrived. Over the past thirty years, many rare and endangered species, like Lynx and the European Bison, have set up home here – thanks to the lack of humans.

Two-day tours of the “accidental wildlife sanctuary” include two seven-hour visits, guide, meals, and transfers. The two trips into the sanctuary are theoretically completely safe, despite the remaining radiation.

Read also: The 2019 Travel Trends You’ll be Loving based on your Chinese Zodiac

#4 Hiker survives 17 days in Hawaiian wilderness

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

After seventeen days lost in a thick Hawaiian forest, 35-year-old physical therapist and yoga instructor, Amanda Eller was miraculously found alive. Surviving on berries, guava, and clear water, Eller came out of the ordeal about 7.5 kilograms lighter, with a broken tibia, and severe sunburn.

Eller had gone into the forest thinking she was embarking on a three-mile hike. After meditating and taking a nap, she woke up to realise she didn’t know how to get back to her car.

Would you survive in the wilderness?

The Luxe Nomad

Like you, we love to travel but we think that staying at beautiful places shouldn’t come with a hefty price tag. That’s why we’ve gone out there and snagged the best design and luxury hotels and resorts in the Asia Pacific region at rates you won’t believe. WanderLuxe is our little corner of the world where we share our inspirations and thoughts about travel!

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