wildlife and environmental experts say promoting ecotourism helps generate funds for wildlife protection and conservation of their habitat. But a recent study in China suggests the concept can backfire if not managed properly.

Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) in the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area, a tourism centre in Anhui province, are showing increased level of adult aggression and infant mortality since ecotourism began in the reserve in 1991. The World Conservation Union (iucn) classifies the macaques as