TERF Project detail
Project Background
Study Site
At present the WERF is based in Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) Thailand’s oldest and third largest national park. KYNP covers 2,168 km2 on the eastern Dongrak Range of the Korat Plateau in central Thailand, about 160 km northeast of Bangkok. Elevation within the park ranges from 50 m to 1,351 m with the majority of the park’s terrain between 400-800 m. KYNP is an important watershed in the region regulating water resources to surrounding provinces. Mean annual rainfall lies between 2,850 mm and 4,000 mm. The northeastern region of the park falls within a rain shadow area with annual rainfall less than 1,300 mm.
The park’s vegetation is dominated by evergreen forest cover but also has a wide range of other habitats including dry mixed deciduous forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. Wildlife species diversity is very high with at least 71 mammal species, 333 bird species, 35 reptile species and 18 amphibian species. Among the more charismatic wildlife found at KYNP are four species of hornbills, two species of gibbons, clouded leopard, tiger and elephant.
KYNP was declared Thailand’s first national park in 1962. Because of its diverse flora and fauna Khao Yai has been recognized internationally as a rich wildlife habitat. Previous research of elephants in Khao Yai done in the 1980’s estimated between 250 and 300 animals.
Introduction
Research Themes: two main topics of the study:
a) Population Size, Structure, Distribution and Density: or how many elephants are there in Khao Yai? What ages and sexes are they? Which parts of Khao Yai do they live in? And do the numbers of elephants in different areas vary?
b) Behaviour, Ecology and Social Interactions: we want to find out how the elephants live, what they do and where they do it, what they eat, who lives with whom and other such fascinating questions.
Research Methods and Findings
We are used two types of research Direct Observation and Indirect Surveys.
Using the Results of Research
We see our work in Khao Yai as a pilot stage and/or example for others to use and adapt so that eventually similar research will be carried out in all the 49 Protected Areas (PA’s) in Thailand where elephants have been recorded. To help with the dissemination of elephant research methods, we are planning a two week training course for PA officials and other people working in wild elephant conservation.
By sharing the results of our work in Khao Yai with the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, and working closely with the Officials from this government body, we hope that our work can be used in the future management of PA’s and in the conservation of the Asian Elephant in Thailand.
We can also use the results of our research to address other issues that may occur, such as human-elephant conflict or development proposals in elephant areas.
We are keen to exchange ideas, experiences, knowledge and information with other organizations and individuals studying or working with elephants, in Thailand, in Asia and around the world.
We also hope, that by telling others in Thailand and elsewhere about the lives of wild elephants’ and the problems that these gentle giants face, we can encourage people to participate in elephant conservation in Thailand and around the world.