Seven of the cutest wildlife experiences in the world

The best bucket-list experiences for fans of cute wildlife

Red pandas are slightly larger than a domestic cat with a bear-like body (iStock)

One of the most enjoyable parts of travel is discovering the many weird and wonderful animals that inhabit our planet, whether that’s visiting Cat Island in Japan or spotting seals in the Scilly Isles.

Here are the cutest wildlife experiences around the world to get your kawaii fix.

Cat Island in Japan

 

 

 

 

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The tiny island of Aoshima off the southern coast of Japan is home to a colony of cats. Colloquially known as “Cat Island”, this small fishing islet is home to over 100 cats, which outnumber human residents eight to one. Originally brought to the island to kill the mice that were flocking to the fishing boats, the cats promptly multiplied and were fed by feline-loving locals. The cats are widely held in high esteem: cans of cat food are regularly sent to the island from across Japan.

Sloths in Costa Rica

A smiling sloth (iStock) (istock)

What’s not to love about a sloth? Slow-moving and smiley, these adorable creatures call the rainforests of central and south America home. They snooze for around 15 hours a day and are often well camouflaged by trees, so it can be a challenge spotting these languid beasts in the wild. To increase your chances, hire a local guide that knows the local sloth population, plus pack a pair of binoculars. If you’re in luck, you might see one sleeping in the treetops or crossing the road (very slowly).

Pandas in Sichuan province, China

A panda cub with its mother (iStock) (istock)

As the national animal of China and a global symbol of conservation, the giant panda’s status was downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2016, despite there being fewer than 2,000 remaining in the wild. Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, a branch of the Chinese Conservation and Research Centre of Giant Panda, is just outside the city of Chengdu and home to around 60 pandas. Visitors can watch staff feeding and weighing the panda cubs, which are usually born between July and September.

Quokkas on Rottnest Island, Australia

Quokkas are endemic to western Australia (iStock) (istock)

As member of the kangaroo and wallaby family, these friendly marsupials run rife on Rottnest Island off the west coast of Australia, just a short ferry trip from Perth or Fremantle. While their “smile” is a major part of the quokkas’ mass appeal, it’s actually an evolutionary feature that enables them to pant and stay cool.

Red pandas in Darjeeling, India

The endangered red panda is at risk due to habitat loss (iStock) (istock)

The red panda is an endangered species found in high altitude forests of the Himalayas. Following a captive breeding programme at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, the Singalila National Park of Darjeeling, India, was selected for the reintroduction of these kitten-faced creatures into the wild. Visitors to the park can sometimes see these solitary mammals in the trees where they spend most of their time.

Seals in the Scilly Isles, UK

Sidle up to a seal in the Scilly Isles (iStock) (istock)

With their big black eyes and whiskers, seals are widely regarded as one of nature’s most adorable animals. Scilly Seal Snorkelling has been running snorkelling trips with seals from St Martin’s, the largest of the Scilly Isles, for over 20 years. A colony of seals reside at the Eastern Isles all year round, so the likelihood of getting up close and personal with these gentle creatures is high.

Rabbits in Japan

Rabbits flock to tourists on Rabbit Island (Getty) (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Located around 50km east of Hiroshima in Japan, Okunoshima Island has a dark history. In the late 1920s, the island was a top-secret military base housing a poison gas factory that produced chemical weapons. Happily, those days are gone and the island is now home to over 1,000 rabbits that approach tourists in the hope of food as soon as they disembark the ferry.

The Independent encourages responsible wildlife encounters. Watch animals from a respectful distance and do not touch or feed wild animals.