LIFE IN THE WILD

In the past, abundant wildlife could be found as close to Bangkok. A local writer once noted that “five to six hundred species of plants are know to grow wild in Bangkok” Although this magnificent cornucopia of plants, herbs and animals is less evident now than then, it still exists. Some of the best places to study it are the central region’s wildlife sanctuaries, research and breeding stations, open zoos and national parks. Huai Kha Khaeng and Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuaries in Uthai Thani and Kanchanaburi provinces respectively are the best places to start. These contain such superb creatures as guar, the massive yet shy forest ox, and banteng, the wild red cattle. They also contain well over 40 other mammal species including bears, leopards, tigers, elephant, tapir, deer, gibbons, monkeys and macaque as well as a wide range of vegetation types.

Khao Yai National Park is another excellent nature study site as many wildfire research projects on such creatures as gibbons, tigers and hornbills are being conducted here.

Khao Khieo Wildfire Sanctuary in Chon Buri province has an open zoo which makes its wildlife particularly accessible. Species include gaur, dusky langur, barking deer and brow-antlered deer. In one of the largest aviaries in the world, it also has the Sarus Crane and black necked Stork which may one day be re-introduced to the wild. Its breeding station supports and studies many other species. It also has the only elephant twins born in captivity. Three types of crocodile are being bred and studied at the nearby Crocodile Farm while over in Kanchanaburi’s Sadong Research Station, banteng, sambar and serow, a kind of goat-antelope are being studied and bred. Not only is Thailand’s amazing wildlife as prolific as ever, but through activities such as these it is also more accessible than ever before. And it will remain safe into the future.