ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of wildlife tourism from northwest Iceland. Exploring the history of interactions between human and seal residents of Hunaping vestra demonstrates change, adaptation and resilience over time. Icelandic culture, from its modern complexities to the very basics of continued existence of people on this northern island country, epitomizes resilience. The chapter presents a case study of wildlife tourism in a rural region in northwest Iceland. Human and seal residents of Hunaping vestra have a long history of interactions in which their shared social-ecological system has demonstrated resilience. The chapter demonstrates how examination of the literature and case studies of ethics and responsibility in wildlife tourism can help create a path to move beyond sustainable tourism and toward resilience for this community of people and wildlife. The community has already demonstrated resilience to environmental and economic conditions, reinventing itself as the "land of seals" to successfully bring tourists and related businesses into the town.
