About us

Transforming tourism through respect for animals

Animal Wise was founded with a clear purpose: to contribute to more conscious, sustainable, and ethical tourism involving animals. We are an association made up of professionals with experience in sustainability, animal welfare, responsible tourism, and research, working to change the way we interact with wildlife during our travels.

Ariana Hernández, Specialist in Tourism with Animals

Hello! I’m Ariana, a biologist with two master’s degrees: one in Sustainability and Quality for Businesses, and another in Animal Behavior and Biology. Throughout my career, I have worked with many species in conservation and research projects, as well as with tour operators in the diving sector, where I discovered my passion for promoting responsible tourism.

In recent years, I have coordinated animal welfare programs in the tourism sector, advising international companies, designing policies, and leading specialized audits for activities involving animals in various countries. I like to combine scientific rigor with a close, personalized approach to help businesses improve their practices.

With Animal Wise, I channel all this experience and commitment to promote tourism that truly protects animals, educates travelers, and supports global sustainability.

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Sara Torres Ortiz, Specialist in Animal Cognition and Bioacoustics

Hello! I’m Sara, with a degree in Marine Sciences, a master’s in Animal Behavior and Bioacoustics, and a PhD in Cognition. My career combines scientific knowledge with a deep passion for understanding how animals think, communicate, and adapt to their environment.

I have worked as a postdoctoral researcher on international projects focused on animal cognition and bioacoustics, traveling the world to study an impressive diversity of species. From humpback whales, Chilean dolphins, and common porpoises, to penguins, parrots, cormorants, California sea lions, and harbor seals, my field experience has allowed me to generate unique insights into animal intelligence across different ecological contexts.

I integrate interdisciplinary approaches to investigate how animals perceive the world and respond to natural and human-made challenges, such as anthropogenic noise. My work aims not only to expand scientific understanding but also to contribute to evidence-based conservation and animal welfare strategies.

Through Animal Wise, I channel my experience and ethical commitment to give voice to animals and promote a more empathetic and responsible relationship between humans and wildlife.

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Elena Iváñez, Specialist in Strategic Management and Project Coordination

Hi! I’m Elena, a graduate in Tourism and Business Administration and Management (TADE), with a Master’s degree in Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility.

Since the beginning of my career, I have combined my experience in business with a commitment to creating positive impact, particularly through projects with a social, environmental and ethical focus.

For more than three years, I worked in a labour, tax and accounting consultancy, where I developed a rigorous approach to business management and regulatory compliance. My education and professional experience have allowed me to understand tourism not only as an economic activity, but also as a powerful tool for social and environmental transformation.

I have contributed to responsible tourism initiatives and continue to develop my expertise to support more conscious, transparent and responsible projects and organisations.

Connect with Sara

Animal Wise also works with professionals who contribute their expertise and knowledge in key areas to help advance our mission.

María Alcedo & Arantzazu Marín
Communication & Social Media

María and Arantzazu collaborate with Animal Wise on digital communication and social media management, helping us share content on responsible tourism, conservation and animal welfare, and bring our mission to an increasingly engaged community of conscious travellers.

Connect with Sara

Our mission

Our values

To promote more responsible tourism involving animals by bringing science, animal welfare and sustainability into the decisions made by businesses, professionals and travellers.

We develop knowledge, practical tools and evidence-based criteria to help understand the impacts of tourism activities involving animals and identify opportunities for improvement.

We base our recommendations, criteria and tools on scientific knowledge and relevant technical sources.

We integrate animal welfare as a fundamental element in assessing and improving tourism activities involving animals.

We promote practices that take into account their potential effects on animals, people and the environment.

We share knowledge and practical tools to help professionals and travellers better understand the impacts of their decisions and make informed choices.

We work with businesses, professionals, researchers, destinations and other organisations to develop solutions that can be applied within the tourism sector.

We assess existing practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop criteria and tools adapted to each context.

We believe in a relationship with animals based on respect, an understanding of their needs, and reducing interactions that may negatively affect their welfare.