Thai rangers hunts for invasive peacocks to protect Thai peafowls

Thai rangers and relevant officials at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in the central province of Uthai Thani are hunting down Indian and mixed-breed peafowl to prevent cross-breeding and the extinction of Thai peacocks, also known as the green peafowl.

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the two main habitats where the endangered green peafowl are most often seen in Thailand. The other place where the peacocks are present in significant numbers is Mae Wong National Park in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan.

The peacock population in Thailand decreased rapidly due to hunting for their feathers and to be kept as pets. Additionally, the loss of forest area also led to the disappearance of peacocks from many parts of Thailand.

Recently, the declining population of peafowl gained attention from Thai people after a photographer, Chotipong Sinayruraj, shared his concerns about the threat to the birds on June 20.

Chotipong revealed that he spotted white Indian peacocks and hybrid peacocks foraging together with a group of Thai peafowl at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

The post was shared by many netizens who were aware of how the presence of alien species could affect the local endangered species. The alien species may cause cross-breeding, leading to a decrease or eventual disappearance of the local species. Moreover, the hybrid offspring may be unhealthy and have a short lifespan.

The issue prompted the sanctuary leader, Permsak Kanitsachart, to assign 10 rangers to search for and capture the foreign peafowl. Unfortunately, officers were unable to catch them or trap them in a cage.

Thai PBS reported that rangers searched the Indian and mixed-breed peafowl three months before the photographer spotted them but were unable to track them down.

In the latest update from the ranger team yesterday, July 2, they discovered feathers of the white Indian peafowl along with bloodstains. They suspected that the peafowl was killed by a predator in the sanctuary as it was weaker than Thai peafowl and not as cautious.

The search continues for the hybrid peafowl. The rangers plan to install more cameras to capture the wanted peafowl as quickly as possible.