On June 10, 2025, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, in collaboration with WWF Thailand and WWF Foundation, released 20 sambars back into the wild under the Tiger Population Recovery Project in the Upper Western Forest Complex. The release took place in Khlong Lan National Park, Kamphaeng Phet Province. The sambar was supported by the Khao Kho Wildlife Breeding Station. To monitor their behavior and adaptation after reintroduction into the wild, GPS collars were fitted to five females. WWF Foundation provided GPS collars for three of the five individuals, with a total contribution of THB 594,000.
This release marks the fifth reintroduction of deer into the wild, following the initial release in 2021. Over the past five years, a total of 149 sambar have been released into the Western Forest Complex, including Mae Wong National Park, Khlong Lan National Park, and Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of the reintroduced sambars continue to be monitored using GPS collars and camera traps. The report stated that several released females have successfully given birth in the wild, which is an encouraging sign that the animals are adapting well to their new environment and natural habitat.
WWF Foundation continues to support the reintroduction of sambar into the wild, as well as the tiger population recovery program in the Upper Western Forest Complex. This ongoing effort is carried out in close collaboration with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, wildlife breeding centers, and other relevant partners, with the shared goal of restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity in Thailand’s forest landscapes.
