National Park chief says wildlife recovering in Khao Yai

Khao Yai National Park, the first national park created in the Kingdom and a World Heritage Site, is witnessing a recovery in its wildlife population thanks to stepped up efforts against encroachment, poaching and other illegal activities.

Park officials conducted a four-day series of helicopter flights over the area to get a rough visual reconnaissance of the state of wildlife in the reserve. It was the quickest and most efficient method short of a full ground-based survey.

“Hundreds of hornbills were seen flying near the helicopter, while herds of gaurs were spotted on the field,” said Adisak Phusitwongsanuyut, the Park’s Chief. “Also, this discovery showed the abundance now present in the forest. Many officials have put a lot of effort into protecting this forest as a treasure for all Thais.”

As a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, however, Khao Yai and its flora and fauna are a treasure for the entire world. The Kingdom has over 100 national parks and six World Heritage Sites, three of which are national parks, forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

Thailand has been putting great effort into increasing protection of its forest sanctuaries and World Heritage Sites. Park officials and rangers have been adopting more advanced technology to go with their boots on the ground efforts, fighting poachers and encroachers.

The increasing population of wild tigers in Thai national parks is evidence that their work has been bearing fruit.

But a resurgence in species and wildlife has been noticeable in many locations in the Kingdom during the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in human activities because of restrictions on movements has allowed some species to recover and flourish.

Photo courtesy of https://www.thainationalparks.com/