Elephants and tigers top list of animals Brits would love to see in the wild

29 June 2023 , 13:40

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Elephants are the top animals Brits would love to see in the wild (Image: James Warwick/Getty Images)

Elephants, tigers, lions, and dolphins have topped a list of animals – that Brits would love to see in their natural habitats, a study has found.

Giraffes and Giant pandas are among other animals Brits dream of seeing in the wild, while polar bears and kangaroos also made the top 10.

But despite 87 per cent of Brits having it on their bucket list to see wildlife in their natural homes, there seems to be a knowledge gap when it comes to knowing where these animals are typically found.

Nearly a third (29 per cent), of the 2,000 adults polled, said they would love to see a whale in its natural habitat – but 26 per cent believe the best place to spot a humpback is in the Arctic.

In actual fact, the species – one of the largest whale species in the world – is more likely to be found in Hawaii as they gather for breeding season.

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And 28 per cent believe the blue whale, which is most common in the southern hemisphere, is regularly spotted in the UK – despite there only being one recorded sighting in British waters.

Elephants and tigers top list of animals Brits would love to see in the wild

But many Brits are unsure of where the correct natural habitats are for their top bucket-list wildlife (SWNS)

Meanwhile, nearly half (48 per cent) are convinced wild tigers can be found in Africa, when in fact they are native to India – while a third believed Emperor penguins roam the Arctic, despite them only being found in the Antarctic.

But despite the confusion, 38 per cent are confident they know the best place and time of year to spot their favourite animal in the wild – and would travel for up to 12 hours to do so.

A crocodile was voted one of the most popular animals to see, although 44 per cent were confused about the difference between this animal and its alligator cousin – which has a more curved snout and can be found in fresh waters, while a croc prefers salt water environments.

Furthermore, 77 per cent believe seeing certain animals in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It also emerged four in ten like to do as much as they can fit in on their holidays, and 28 per cent consider themselves adventurous when it comes to trips abroad, according to the stats by OnePoll.

The research was commissioned by Audley Travel, whose spokesman Richard Wise, head of concierge, said: “It’s fantastic that people place such enormous value on seeing animals in their natural habitat, and would venture further afield to do so.

“This sort of travel supports conservation efforts, helping animals to thrive in the wild.

“Whether you want to explore the Galapagos Islands’, see polar bears gather around the icy waters of Hudson Bay, or spend time on an African safari for a chance to spot the Big Five, the first step is knowing where the animals can be found.”

To help inspire future wildlife trips, Audley has created a wildlife quiz for those looking to test their knowledge of the natural world, and see if they know their crocodiles from their alligators.