Black leopard wonder: Feline spotted hunting in Kaeng Krachan

Tourists visiting Kaeng Krachan National Park were treated to an extraordinary spectacle when a rare black leopard was spotted preparing to hunt a southern spectacled langur.

Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, revealed the stunning image taken along the Khao Phanom Thung route at Kilometre 19.

The black leopard, a critically endangered species, was calmly observing its prey without showing any signs of fear or suspicion towards the tourists nearby. This rare glimpse into the life of a wild predator left those lucky enough to witness it in amazement, said Mongkol.

“This black leopard is believed to be a resident of the area. We’ve seen it in this region multiple times, and its behaviour suggests it is well-acquainted with the environment.

“On this occasion, it was preparing to hunt the southern spectacled langur, which was perched on a tree branch.”

Black leopard wonder: Feline spotted hunting in Kaeng Krachan | News by Thaiger

The calmness of the leopard, undisturbed by the presence of humans, serves as a testament to the thriving wildlife and healthy ecosystems within Kaeng Krachan’s World Heritage Forest. Mongkol highlighted that sightings of such rare creatures are becoming increasingly rare, making the event even more special for visitors.

“For many, spotting a black leopard in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It reflects the richness of our ecosystem and the success of our conservation efforts.”

Kaeng Krachan National Park has long been a sanctuary for a variety of rare and protected species, and this sighting is a direct result of years of dedicated conservation work by the park’s rangers.

Mongkol praised the efforts of the park’s staff, saying their dedication to preserving the Western Forest’s biodiversity is key to maintaining the park’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, reported Daily News.

The black leopard sighting is a major win for the park, highlighting the importance of ongoing conservation efforts and offering hope for the continued protection of Thailand’s endangered wildlife.

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Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.

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