"I think it's the greatest job on earth."
When James Boettcher says this, you believe him. As the founder of FNQ Nature Tours, he spends his days in the 180-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest, but his passion isn't just for wildlife - it's for connecting people to it.
In a new, in-depth discussion, James sat down with Roger Smith, Director of Conservation Travel with Australian Geographic Travel, to explore the profound art and purpose of being a modern wildlife guide.
Key talking points
The Spark of Connection - James shares the "why" behind his work - that "incredibly rewarding feeling" of witnessing a traveller's face light up when they connect with a wild animal for the first time.
The Art of Seeing - How do you find a southern cassowary? As James explains, it's not luck. He reveals the deep experience required to know where animals might be at different times, and, crucially, the art of "telling the story without the animal."
A "Living Life Raft" - Hear James's sense of awe as he describes his "office" - a rainforest three times older than the Amazon - and why he feels a "sense of ambassadorship" for this ancient, vital landscape.
The Guide's True Role - This isn't just entertainment. James speaks with clarity on the "mature conversations" guides must have about conservation and the power of tourism to support vital, on-ground conservation work.
Watch the full interview with James below.