Rangers in Thailand’s western forest complex, a critical tiger habitat, undergo vigorous and strenuous training. All these to ensure they are physically fit to meet the exacting demands of the job, especially for those patrolling the mountainous forest in Mae Wong National Park.
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ABOUT THE RANGERS
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© WWF-Thailand / Baramee Temboonkiat
Rangers in training, Thailand
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© WWF-Thailand / Baramee Temboonkiat
Rangers in training, Thailand
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© WWF-Thailand / Baramee Temboonkiat
Rangers in training, Thailand
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© WWF-Thailand / Baramee Temboonkiat.
Rangers in training, Thailand
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© WWF-Thailand / Baramee Temboonkiat
Rangers in training, Thailand
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© WWF-Thailand / Baramee Temboonkiat
Rangers in training, Thailand
Carrying a 20-kg backpack containing equipment and personal belongings, the rangers trek along the shoulder of the mountain, climbing cliffs and the far corners of the park. Each patrol lasts between 3-5 days.
Patrolling is not just about looking out for poaching activities; it’s also when they conduct wildlife survey, collecting data of wildlife distribution, recording and photographing wildlife footprints, and mapping out forest trails. Many of the rangers also help to set up camera traps as part of wildlife monitoring efforts.
Despite the hard work, the rangers are proud of their work and love what they do. As patrol officer Naresh Kheowjan says, “It is all about working with love – love for the forest and wildlife.”
Shrinking habitat, expanding human population and development, and poaching to feed consumer demand for tiger body parts and products, have already reduced the wild tiger population in Thailand to fewer than 300 today.
WWF is working with Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to track the tiger population in the forests of Mae Wong and Klonglarn national parks.
But the continued success of these conservation efforts is being threatened by the controversial Mae Wong dam construction project.
Patrolling is not just about looking out for poaching activities; it’s also when they conduct wildlife survey, collecting data of wildlife distribution, recording and photographing wildlife footprints, and mapping out forest trails. Many of the rangers also help to set up camera traps as part of wildlife monitoring efforts.
Despite the hard work, the rangers are proud of their work and love what they do. As patrol officer Naresh Kheowjan says, “It is all about working with love – love for the forest and wildlife.”
Where the rangers work
Thailand’s Western Forest Complex includes 17 protected areas covering over 19,000 km2. It straddles the Tennasserim range on the Thai-Myanmar border. The region supports a broad range of biodiversity and a high density of tigers. It is also an important watershed for 6 of Thailand's major river basins.Shrinking habitat, expanding human population and development, and poaching to feed consumer demand for tiger body parts and products, have already reduced the wild tiger population in Thailand to fewer than 300 today.
WWF is working with Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to track the tiger population in the forests of Mae Wong and Klonglarn national parks.
But the continued success of these conservation efforts is being threatened by the controversial Mae Wong dam construction project.
