Bear claw marks
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MAMMALS OF NORTHERN THAILAND
The wild mammals of northern Thailand are mostly of Indochinese origin, whereas in the south it is generally Sundaic in origin. This is a reflection of the geographic and climatic differences between the country’s northern and the southern regions. Although an invisible line divides the two zoogeographical zones across the Isthmus of Kra, there is nevertheless a large zoogeographical and vegetative overlap – meaning that much of Thailand has potential habitats for flora and fauna from both zones.
The forests of northern Thailand once boasted diverse and dense populations of wild mammals that included Tiger, Leopard, Asian Elephant, Asiatic Black Bear, Malayan Sun Bear, Gaur (a wild cattle species), Banteng (a wild cattle species), Serow (an Asiatic goat-antelope), Sambar (a deer species), Muntjac (a deer species), gibbons (a lesser ape species), and several others. However, most of the larger animals, such as Tigers, Elephants, Banteng and Gaur have been driven to low populations or extirpation because of habitat loss and pervasive illegal hunting over the past fifty years, leaving behind remnant populations at only a few sites.
But given that northern Thailand still supports the highest proportion of forest cover of any region of the country, therefore it continues to be of great conservation importance. The continued presence of such large and sensitive species as Green Peafowl raises the possibility that perhaps large mammals may be able to recolonise regenerating secondary forest, should there be a reduction in hunting pressure. Furthermore, much of this region has not been thoroughly surveyed and assessed for its biodiversity attributes.
MAMMALS OF PANG SOONG
A rapid appraisal of the mammal diversity in Pang Soong revealed that large mammals could still be found in the area, although possibly in low numbers. Some of the mammal species are residents while others occasionally range through the area. This is not altogether surprising, given that Pang Soong is part of a greater forested landscape that includes the Mae Takrai and Jae Sawn National Parks and a few smaller forest reserves. Mammals of interest present or likely to be present in the Pang Soong and/or adjacent areas, based on the appraisal include:
Tiger
Asian Golden Cat
Fishing Cat
Leopard Cat
Civets
Bears
Phayre’s Langur
Macaques
Slow Loris
Eurasian Wild Pig
Red Muntjac
Hog Badger
Large-toothed Ferret Badger
Flying Squirrels
Porcupines
Bamboo Rats
Click here for a theoretical list
of larger mammals at Pang Soong
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