The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (KKFC) is located in the Tenasserim-South Thailand semi-evergreen rain forest unit within the Indo-Malayan ecoregion. The KKFC lies in the Tenasserim Mountain Range and in connection with Tanintharyi Region on the boundary between Thailand and Myanmar. The total area of the KKFC is 4,702 km2. The area's topography is rugged with high mountains in the west and rolling hills to the east. It comprises of 4 protected areas: Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Kui Buri National Park, and Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park. All forest patches in this whole landscape together is named Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (KKFC). Kaeng Krachan National Park was selected as a site for wildlife conservation due to it is the most important main protected area in the forest complex.
Kaeng Krachan National Park (KKNP) has been designated as the largest national park in Thailand, covering 2,915 km2 at the southern end of the Tenasserim Mountain range. The site is situated in a transition zoogeographical sub-region between Sundaic, Indochinese and Sino-Himalayan and consequently supports a rich and diverse species of wildlife and plants. There are several endangered species such as tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) and Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) within the area. In addition, KKNP nurturing mammals up to 100 species, 545 bird species, 112 reptile species, 55 amphibian species and 101 fish species. It is highly important landscape for conservation, concerned as a biodiversity hotspot and listed as ASEAN Heritage site in 2005.
WCS Challenges in KKNP
WCS has strengthened wildlife and wild places conservation strategies based on science by strengthening wildlife research, monitoring, and information approach for effective site management in KKNP through collaborating with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) since 2003 through the following achieved projects: 1) Using Recce Transect Survey to assess wildlife and threat distribution for conservation management in KKNP and 2) Living Landscape Species.
WCS Progressive Activities in KKNP
WCS is now still working on the site, closely with DNP and KKNP staffs regarding the strengthening of law enforcement through smart patrol system. Moreover, we have expanded our collaborative supports to local communities around KKNP, particularly, strategic informative and technical supports such as tiger and prey monitoring, crocodile survey and conservation, including Human & Elephant Conflict (HEC) mitigation.
Relevant Projects & Activities in KKNP