Animal
- Environment News
Is it too late for Thailand’s dugongs?
Long ago, dugongs were hunted across Southeast Asia for their meat, tusks, and bones. In some regions, their body parts were thought to hold magical powers. Dugong tears, in particular, were said to bring good fortune or even love. But in Thailand, these gentle sea cows often inspired more reverence than harm. Along the Andaman coast, dugongs became symbols of love,…
- Environment News
Moo Deng: Thailand’s personality of the year
Time magazine’s annual selection for Person of the Year often reflects on the individuals who have captured global attention. While it is usually presidents and influential figures, it is clear here in Thailand who truly deserves the title. Forget the political icons—our beloved Moo Deng, the pint-sized pygmy hippo, has captured hearts, taken over social media, and established herself as…
- Thailand News
Thai woman finds rare Moonrat in southern Thailand canal (video)
A local angler in the southern province of Yala discovered a rare and endangered species known as the moonrat while fishing in a canal. She plans to return it to its natural habitat. The President of the Betong Animal Lover Club, Phatcharin Prathummek, contacted several news agencies to report her rare find. She later guided journalists to her house, where…
- Thailand News
No more hogging the spotlight: Flood claims beloved Chiang Rai pig
A beloved pig named Bamruea, who had been rescued as a piglet and survived four previous floods, succumbed to the devastating floods in Chiang Rai yesterday. The floods have wreaked havoc on both residents and animals, with the swift and powerful currents making escape nearly impossible. The floods in Chiang Rai have caused significant distress, trapping many residents and animals…
- Thailand News
New pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Zoo sparks naming contest
Khao Kheow Open Zoo recently announced a new addition to its family, a female pygmy hippopotamus born to parents Jona and Tony. The zoo is inviting the public to vote on the baby hippo’s name, with options including Moo Deng, Moo Daeng, and Moo Sub. On July 25, the zoo introduced a new member, born to 25 year old Jona…
- Thailand News
Thai man at risk of losing eyesight after being mauled by a bear
A Thai man risks losing his eyesight after a bear attacked him on his plantation on Tuesday in the central province of Nakhon Nayok resulting in severe injuries. Locals in the Pak Plee district of Nakhon Nayok reported the discovery of a bear weighing about 100 kilogrammes to the director of Khao Yai National Park on July 19, prompting rangers…
- Thailand News
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…
- Business News
Saudi Arabia approves live animal imports from Thailand
Saudi Arabia has approved the import of live cattle, sheep, and goats from Thailand, according to Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The approval was communicated by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture through the Saudi Arabian and Thai foreign ministries. Phumtham noted that these live animals could be imported from Thailand and subsequently kept and slaughtered in Saudi…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s private ownership of lions raises safety concerns
The private ownership of wild animals, notably lions, has come under scrutiny in Thailand following several incidents where these creatures were observed in public areas. The issue has sparked widespread concern among the public regarding safety and animal welfare. The first case surfaced in January when a lion cub was noticed in the backseat of a fancy convertible in Pattaya.…
- Thailand News
Thai department seeks funds for human-elephant conflict resolution
The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is seeking a 50 million baht (US$1.4 million) budget from the government to assist individuals whose lives have been disrupted by encounters with wild elephants. The initiative is part of an effort to mitigate the increasing conflicts between humans and the growing population of wild elephants in the nation.…
- Environment News
Rare cinereous vulture found in Kamphaeng Phet now under specialised care
A juvenile cinereous vulture, discovered on a road in the Lan Krabue district of Kamphaeng Phet last Sunday, is currently under the care of a team of veterinarians from the neighbouring Nakhon Sawan. The bird, weak from its long winter migration, is being prepared for future release. Veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkol from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s…
- Northern Thailand News
Cat stuck in drainpipe rescued in Nakhon Ratchasima
A one year old cat was successfully rescued from a drainpipe where it had been stuck for several days. The incident took place in front of a chicken rice shop in the Phimai municipality, Nakhon Ratchasima province today. The feline’s pitiful cries and forlorn gaze captured the attention of the disaster prevention and mitigation officials of the Phimai municipality, who rushed…
- Thailand News
Endangered gaur sighted in northern Thailand after 37-year absence
A gaur, an endangered wild animal, has been sighted for the first time in 37 years at the Salwin Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong Son, a northern province on the Thai-Myanmar border. The sanctuary’s chief, Arkhom Boonnontae, confirmed the sighting, noting the rarity of such occurrences in northern Thailand. The camera trap that captured the elusive bull gaur clicked into…
- Thailand News
Unusual golden crab discovery stirs lottery luck hopes in Phayao province
Residents in Phayao province were “claw-struck” when they stumbled upon a rare golden yellow crab. The locals are “pinching” the hope that this quirky catch might be their lucky charm in the upcoming lottery draw. Authorities from Phu Sang National Park have playfully dubbed the crustacean “Cliff Crab” and are delving into whether it falls under the category of protected…
- Thailand News
Friendly catfish steals Thai hearts online with fin-tastic affection
A uniquely sociable freshwater catfish, known for its fondness for human interaction, has attracted widespread attention and concern for its well-being. Fish lover Denchai Lueklek shared the extraordinary behaviour of the catfish on his Facebook account. On September 27, news correspondents visited Denchai’s residence in the Sai Thai sub-district, Krabi, to witness the catfish’s behaviour first-hand. The 50 year old…
- World News
Lion’s roam: Chaos strikes Karachi as ‘King of the Jungle’ takes a traffic tour
Roaring commotion erupted in Karachi, a metropolis in southern Pakistan, as a full-grown lion was caught strolling amidst congested traffic. Unleashed from its transport vehicle, the majestic creature prowled the urban lanes for a stretch of more than two hours. This dramatic escapade unfolded on Tuesday, August 29, leaving the populace stunned and unnerved. The lion was spotted strolling nonchalantly…
- World News
Fossil discovery: Ugandan scientists unearth 20 million year old anthracothere fossil, sparking debates
An extraordinary fossil discovery has been reported by a team of Ugandan scientists who’ve unearthed a large femur bone fossil. With an estimated age of approximately 19 to 20 million years, the bone is believed to belong to an anthracothere, an animal akin to a hippopotamus but significantly larger in height and length. The fascinating fossil discovery came from the…
- Thailand News
Unique Thai village profits from hot-season tokay gecko trade exports to China
A unique Thai village is gaining lucrative income from capturing and processing tokay geckoes, generating hundreds of thousands of baht (US$2,860) per month during the hot season. In the northeast province of Nakhon Phanom, villagers from Ban Tal in Nah Wah district are seizing the opportunity to capture the amphibians that thrive in the warm weather. Ban Tal Thai Village,…
- Thailand News
Thai homeowner haunted by ghostly tokay gecko, forced to flee
A homeowner in Surin province has been driven to spend sleepless nights away from her own home due to the ghostly presence of a dead tokay gecko. Jitapha Pothisa, the distressed owner, claims to frequently hear the eerie calls of the phantom lizard but has never actually seen it. The unsettling experience has compelled the 32 year old mother of…
- World News
Asian elephants’ habitat shrinkage over three centuries
Asian elephant habitats have experienced a significant decline of almost two-thirds since the 18th century, according to a recent study. The loss corresponds to approximately 3.3 million square kilometres, an area equivalent to the size of India. The study revealed that China had the most significant reduction in suitable elephant habitats in the region – losing 94% of its original…
