Roar surprise: Endangered wild tiger spotted in Phetchaburi

Kaeng Krachan National Park, nestled in the district of Phetchaburi, reported the sighting of an endangered wild tiger, marking the sixth such discovery since 2019. The tiger, captured by a strategically placed camera trap, has been assigned the identifier KKT-006M.

The images of the tiger were captured on March 24, March 31, and April 1. The camera trap showcased the wild tiger engaging in playful antics in the shallow waters of the Sab Chum Hed region in Phetchaburi, located in the upper reaches of the Phetchaburi River, as stated by park director Mongkol Chaipakdi.

The installation of camera traps in the area was part of a collaborative effort between the Wildlife Conservation Society of Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP). The objective was to track the movements of rare wildlife species residing in the upper section of the river.

In addition to KKT-006M, the camera traps have captured images of numerous other wildlife species, including two tigers, subsequently codenamed KKT-002M and KKT-004.

Initially, there was speculation that the newly discovered tiger, KKT-006M, was indeed KKT-004. However, on closer examination and detailed comparison of the images, experts were able to distinguish between the two based on their distinctive stripes. They confirmed that there were no prior images of KKT-006M before March 24, establishing it as a fresh discovery.

Since 2019, six tigers have been spotted in the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Two of these tigers have been identified as males, as indicated by the M at the end of their codenames, and two as females with an F appended. The genders of the remaining two tigers are yet to be determined, reported Bangkok Post.

The park director also added that experts have noticed a growing population of the tigers’ prey, including deer, bulls, and wild boars, in the region.

In related news, a wild tiger prowling the vicinity of a village in Kamphaeng Phet sparked serious concerns among locals, prompting the DNP to dispatch a team of officials and veterinarians to capture the big cat.