Rare Clouded Leopards Captured on Camera in Kaeng Krachan National Park
Two endangered clouded leopards, including a mother and her cub, have been photographed in Thailand’s largest national park, highlighting the region's rich biodiversity.
In a notable discovery, two clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), believed to be a mother-cub pair, were recently captured on a trap camera in Kaeng Krachan National Park, located in Phetchaburi province, Thailand.
The park chief, Mongkol Chaipukdee, announced this development on Friday, detailing the use of the camera trap originally set up in early January to monitor a herd of wild banteng (Bos javanicus) previously sighted by local villagers.
The photograph, showcasing the leopards walking past the high-resolution camera equipped with a motion detection sensor, presents an important insight into the wildlife dynamics of the park.
The cub is estimated to be between six and eight months old.
Mongkol described the occurrence as "extremely exciting" for wildlife conservation efforts in the region.
Clouded leopards are currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with numbers in Thailand estimated to be below 200 individuals.
The sighting underscores the ecological significance of Kaeng Krachan National Park, which serves as a sanctuary for various endangered species, including the clouded leopard.
Protected under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019, clouded leopards are characterized by their distinctive coat patterns and typically measure between 90 to 110 centimeters in length, with weights ranging from 15 to 20 kilograms.
The continued presence of this species in Kaeng Krachan serves as an indicator of the park's biodiversity and ecological health.
The park officials have committed to continuing their use of camera traps as part of ongoing studies on not only clouded leopards but also other endangered wildlife, particularly the banteng, a species of wild bovine.
Spanning approximately 2.9 million rai of forested area across Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, Kaeng Krachan National Park is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, further emphasizing its global environmental significance.
The park chief, Mongkol Chaipukdee, announced this development on Friday, detailing the use of the camera trap originally set up in early January to monitor a herd of wild banteng (Bos javanicus) previously sighted by local villagers.
The photograph, showcasing the leopards walking past the high-resolution camera equipped with a motion detection sensor, presents an important insight into the wildlife dynamics of the park.
The cub is estimated to be between six and eight months old.
Mongkol described the occurrence as "extremely exciting" for wildlife conservation efforts in the region.
Clouded leopards are currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with numbers in Thailand estimated to be below 200 individuals.
The sighting underscores the ecological significance of Kaeng Krachan National Park, which serves as a sanctuary for various endangered species, including the clouded leopard.
Protected under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019, clouded leopards are characterized by their distinctive coat patterns and typically measure between 90 to 110 centimeters in length, with weights ranging from 15 to 20 kilograms.
The continued presence of this species in Kaeng Krachan serves as an indicator of the park's biodiversity and ecological health.
The park officials have committed to continuing their use of camera traps as part of ongoing studies on not only clouded leopards but also other endangered wildlife, particularly the banteng, a species of wild bovine.
Spanning approximately 2.9 million rai of forested area across Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, Kaeng Krachan National Park is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, further emphasizing its global environmental significance.
