Adapting to Tourism's Evolving Relationship with Wildlife

As tourism and environmental priorities shift, the question arises: what does it mean to adapt? Few understand this better than Leonard Ellis.

Once a guide for big game hunting expeditions targeting deer, mountain goats, wolves, and bears—both black and grizzly—Leonard, the owner of Bella Coola Grizzly Tours, made a transformative decision 25 years ago. Responding to changing social values and growing environmental awareness, he transitioned his focus from hunting to immersive wildlife viewing. Today, his company offers guided wildlife experiences, marine tours, and grizzly bear-watching excursions.

“You have to kind of be prepared to roll with punches because marketplaces change, people change. You learn that you have to change.” — Leonard Ellis

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