Celebrate UN World Wildlife Day with us as we admire some of the world’s cutest animals. From sleepy koalas to playful meerkats, here are the cutest creatures that you can meet when you join a Trafalgar tour.
Many of these adorable animals are endangered, which is why sustainable tourism is more important than ever. With Trafalgar you can be confident that any encounters with wildlife contributes to the protection and conservation of the species.
1. Giant Panda, China
Cuteness factor: 9/10
Chance of sighting: Low, except in conservation reserves
Where to find them: Bamboo forests in mountainous regions of central China.
Population size: Around 1,864 in the wild.
Conservation status: Vulnerable (but recovering!)
Pandas are famous for their playful, clumsy nature and love for munching on bamboo. They spend most of their day eating, resting, or rolling around in the forest. Thankfully, breeding programs and habitat protection have helped panda numbers to recover – and you’ll visit the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu on Trafalgar’s Best of China MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience.
Fun fact: Despite being classified as carnivores, pandas eat 99% bamboo—up to 38kg (84 lbs) a day!
2. Kiwi, New Zealand
Cuteness factor: 8/10
Chance of sighting: Low (mostly nocturnal and shy)
Where to find them: Native forests, scrublands, and grasslands in New Zealand. Most active at night.
Population size: Around 68,000 across five species.
Conservation status: At risk (some species endangered)
New Zealand’s national bird is quirky and flightless with long beaks and tiny, hidden wings. Despite the round, fluffy appearance, they are surprisingly fast runners and skilled burrowers. Kiwi populations are declining due to habitat destruction and introduced predators like stoats and cats. Supporting responsible tourism, and conservation programs can help protect these unique birds – you’ll get to visit the National Hatchery on Trafalgar’s Highlights of Australia & New Zealand tour.
Fun fact: Kiwis lay eggs that are about 20% of their body weight – the largest egg-to-body ratio of any bird.
3. African wild dog puppies, South Africa
Cuteness factor: 10/10
Chance of sighting: Low to medium, best on safari in protected reserves
Where to find them: Open woodlands, savannas, and grasslands of South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
Population size: Fewer than 7,000 individuals in the wild.
Conservation status: Endangered
Wild dogs are highly social, living in tight-knit packs where cooperation and teamwork are key to survival. At just a few weeks old, the puppies will start to join the adults on short hunting trips.
Fun fact: African wild dogs have a unique “greeting ceremony” where they wag their tails, yelp excitedly, and sneeze to decide on group decisions.
4. Sloth, Central and South America
Cuteness factor: 9/10
Chance of sighting: Medium (easier in protected rainforests)
Where to find them: Tropical rainforests of Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, and Colombia. Look up high in the tree canopy.
Population size: Some populations are stable, while others (like the pygmy three-toed sloth) are critically endangered.
Conservation status: Some species at risk, some endangered
Sloths take the slow travel trend to another level. These creatures spend most of their lives hanging upside down in trees, moving in slow motion to conserve energy. Surprisingly they are excellent swimmers too! Their habitats are at threat of deforestation, which is why sustainable sustainable tourism projects are so important. You can try to spot them in the wilds of Tortuguero on Trafalgar’s Costa Rica Nature Adventure.
Fun fact: Sloths can turn their heads up to 270 degrees, thanks to extra neck vertebrae!
5. Koala, Australia
Cuteness factor: 9/10
Chance of sighting: Medium
Where to find them: Eucalyptus forests of eastern and southeastern Australia; more active during cooler parts of the day.
Population size: Estimated 330,000 (but declining).
Conservation status: Endangered
Koalas spend up to 20 hours a day dozing in eucalyptus trees. When awake, they munch on nutrient-poor eucalyptus leaves. Despite their fluffy appearance, they can be quite territorial. Sadly, koalas face severe threats from habitat loss, climate change, and disease but conservation projects, such as the The Australian Koala Foundation, are helping.
Fun fact: Koalas have fingerprints almost identical to humans – even forensic experts have trouble telling them apart!
6. Gray squirrel – United Kingdom
Cuteness factor: 7/10
Chance of sighting: High
Where to find them: United Kingdom.
Population size: Estimated at 2.7 million in the UK.
Conservation status: Not at risk
Originally from North America, gray squirrels were introduced to the UK in the 19th century and have since thrived, outcompeting the native red squirrel. They are highly adaptable, using their intelligence and dexterity to find food, open nuts, and even navigate human environments with ease.
Fun fact: Gray squirrels “fake” burying their food to trick potential thieves like other squirrels and birds!
7. Fennec Fox, Sahara Desert, North Africa
Cuteness factor: 9/10 (those giant ears!)
Chance of sighting: Low
Where to find them: Sandy deserts of North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia.
Population size: Unknown, but considered stable.
Conservation status: Not at risk
Fennec foxes are the smallest species of fox, perfectly adapted to life in the desert. Thick fur reflects sunlight then keeps them warm at night. Their large ears help them stay cool, and these nocturnal creatures dig burrows to escape the heat.
Fun fact: Fennec foxes have the largest ears relative to body size of any canid, helping them release heat and hear prey underground.
8. Chinchilla, South America (Andes Mountains)
Cuteness factor: 10/10
Chance of sighting: Low
Where to find them: Rocky, arid regions of the Andes Mountains in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina.
Population size: Wild populations are critically low due to habitat destruction and poaching.
Conservation status: Endangered
Chinchillas are small, nocturnal rodents known for their thick, plush fur and cute round faces. These shy, agile jumpers can leap up to six feet. Sadly, Chinchillas have been hunted extensively for their fur, pushing wild populations to the brink.
Fun fact: Chinchillas take dust baths instead of water baths to keep their fur clean—water would damage their ultra-dense fur!
9. Baby Elephants, Africa and Asia
Cuteness factor: 10/10
Chance of sighting: High (best seen in national parks and reserves)
Where to find them: Grasslands, savannas, and forests in Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania) and Asia (India, Thailand, Sri Lanka).
Population size: Around 415,000 African elephants and fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants.
Conservation status: Endangered (Asian Elephant), Vulnerable (African Elephant)
There’s nothing like seeing a baby elephant stumble along. These social creatures rely on their mothers and the herd for guidance and protection. They spend their first years playing, exploring, and learning vital survival skills from elders. All elephants face threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching for ivory. Supporting ethical tourism (no elephant rides!), anti-poaching initiatives, and conservation programs helps protect these giants.
Fun fact: Baby elephants, called calves, don’t know how to use their trunks properly at birth—they often trip over them while learning!
READ NEXT: 9 amazing elephants facts you probably didn’t know
10. Penguins, Antarctica, South America, Australia & New Zealand
Cuteness factor: 8/10
Chance of sighting: High
Where to find them: Emperor & Adélie Penguins (Antarctica), Galápagos Penguins (Ecuador), Humboldt Penguins (Chile, Peru), African Penguins (South Africa, Namibia), and Little Penguins (Australia, New Zealand).
Population size: Varies by species
Conservation status: Emperor and African Penguin are endangered or at risk
While pengiuns waddle up the beach with difficulty, in the water they “fly” at impressive speeds. These social creatures form large colonies where they huddle for warmth and raise chicks. You can witness the nightly penguin parade on Phillip Island, near Melbourne, when you join the Contracts of Australia tour.
Fun fact: Penguins sometimes propose to their mates by offering them a perfect pebble.
11. Capybara, South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia)
Cuteness factor: 7/10
Chance of sighting: Medium to high
Where to find them: Rivers, lakes, and wetlands across South America.
Population size: Estimated at over 2 million.
Conservation status: Not at risk
Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents. Yes, the same family as rats! These giant herbavores are known for their calm, friendly nature and love for socializing. They spend much of their time in water and are good swimmers. Keep an eye out for capybara’s on Trafalgar’s In the Footsteps of Incas tour.
Fun fact: Capybaras are highly social and live in groups of 10-20 individuals, but can also be found in larger herds during the rainy season!
12. Corgis, United Kingdom
Cuteness factor: 10/10
Chance of sighting: High
Where to find them: Common in cities
Population size: Estimated at several hundred thousand worldwide.
Conservation status: Not at risk
If you’re visiting London, no doubt you want to see the royal corgis. These short-legged dogs with fluffy butts were originally bred as herding dogs in Wales, but now they are loved for their playful, loyal and sassy personalities.
Fun fact: Corgis still retain a strong herding instinct – they may try to herd other animals or even people by nudging with their noses!
13. Sika Deer, East Asia
Cuteness factor: 8/10
Chance of sighting: Medium to low
Where to find them: Forests and woodlands in Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula.
Population size: Estimated at over 500,000
Conservation status: Not at risk
Seen the pictures of pretty, spotted sika deer relaxing in parks in Japan? You’ll see plenty of these herbivores, feeding on grasses, shrubs, and tree bark in the city of Nara. These deers are considered holy here, as a symbol of one of the gods, and so they enjoy a peaceful life in the 660-hectare Nara Park, where you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Todaiji Temple and other shrines on Trafalgar’s Classic Japan.
Fun fact: Sika deer are known for their distinctive “bark” vocalizations, which they use to communicate with each other, especially in mating season.
14. Meerkat, Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)
Cuteness factor: 10/10
Chance of sighting: Medium to high
Where to find them: Arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa, particularly in the Kalahari Desert, Namib Desert, and parts of South Africa.
Population size: Estimated at several hundred thousand.
Conservation status: Not at risk
The perky ears, curious expressions, and playful behavior make us swoon over meerkats. These highly social animals live in large groups called mobs or gangs. They are constantly alert, with some members of the group standing tall to keep watch for predators while others dig for food – mostly insects, small vertebrates, and plants.
Fun fact: Meerkats have a “sentinel” system where one member of the group stands on its hind legs to keep watch for predators, while the others forage and play!
That’s our list of the world’s cutest animals that you might get to meet while on tour with Trafalgar. Fingers crossed! Leave us a comment if you’ve seen any in the wild….