PUBLISHED : 2 Sep 2025 at 08:06
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Images of rare animals are captured on camera traps in Khao Laem National Park in Kanchanaburi. (Photos courtesy of DNP)
Kanchanaburi: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has released new images from camera traps showing rare animals thriving in Khao Laem National Park in Kanchanaburi, highlighting the success of conservation efforts in the Western Forest Complex.
Dom Chansuwan, chief of Khao Laem National Park, said the sightings prove the park’s ecological richness and the effectiveness of anti-poaching patrols. The park spans Sangkhla Buri and Thong Pha Phum districts and forms part of one of Thailand’s largest contiguous forest systems, Mr Dom said.
Among the species recorded were serow, a protected animal known for climbing cliffs; Asiatic black bears, vital to maintaining forest balance; Malayan tapirs; civets; and porcupines, which play a role in dispersing seeds. Monkeys were also captured in different areas, he said.
Mr Dom said camera traps are a key tool for both research and enforcement, enabling officers to track wildlife populations while deterring forest encroachment. “The return and visibility of these species reflect the effectiveness of our conservation efforts,” he said.
He credited local communities for their cooperation in protecting the forest, noting that reduced poaching and illegal logging have allowed wildlife to live more safely in their habitats. The Western Forest Complex, which includes Khao Laem, is one of Southeast Asia’s most important tropical ecosystems and a critical watershed for western Thailand.
