Elephants are protected wildlife species that play a vital role in Thailand’s forest ecosystems. Accurate monitoring and assessment of elephant populations, along with other wildlife species, are essential for long-term conservation planning, effective protected area management, and reducing human–wildlife conflict. Kuiburi National Park is one of Thailand’s key conservation areas, supporting a high density of wildlife such as wild elephants, gaurs, barking deer, and other species. In November 2025, WWF Thailand, in collaboration with Kuiburi National Park, members of the Kuiburi Wildlife Ecotourism Club, the Bring the Elephant Home Foundation, and volunteers, conducted a five-day wild elephant monitoring activity from 20–25 November 2025. This activity is conducted on a ten-year cycle and took place in the area of Ranger Station Kor Ror 1 (Pa Yang), Kuiburi National Park. The monitoring applied an integrated approach combining three methods: direct count, camera traps, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This combination aimed to provide more comprehensive data and a clearer understanding of the local elephant population and its distribution. The main objectives of the project were to monitor and assess the size of the wild elephant population in Kuiburi National Park, to examine population trends across different seasons, and to develop a reliable population […]
อ่านต่อWWF Foundation continues to place importance on raising awareness of the value of natural resources through educational activities for young people, which is considered a vital foundation for sustainable conservation efforts. In December 2025, the Tiger Population Recovery Project conducted an out-of-classroom conservation learning activity to engage students from local communities within the Mae Wong–Khlong Lan National Park landscape, one of the project’s key implementation areas. The activity welcomed 116 Grade 5 students from six schools: Ban Khlong Sai School, Ban Khlong Sai – Ban Mai Mae Rewa Branch, Ban Yot Huai Kaew School, Ban Yot Huai Kaew – Pang Khao San Branch, Mae Wong Kindergarten School, and Ban Hin Dat School. The goal of this practical conservation activity was to give students direct learning opportunities and intimate touch with environment while encouraging collaboration, involvement, and a greater comprehension of wildlife conservation. Students took part in four interactive learning sessions: 1. Young Researchers: Students learned about tiger research and population monitoring, including how camera traps are used to survey tigers, how survey areas are selected, and how cameras are installed. They also practiced identifying individual tigers by examining stripe patterns. 2. Wildlife Tracking: This station introduced students to animal signs […]
อ่านต่อFrom October 28-30, 2025, WWF Foundation and WWF Thailand, in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), successfully organised the Citizen Science Drone Training for Endangered Marine Species Survey. A pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing participation in marine monitoring and conservation. The three-day training program took place at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) and was graciously presided over by Khun Tipamas Upanoi, Director of PMBC, and Khun Eknarin Ariyavongvivat, Marine Conservation Leads and MA-RE-DESIGN’s Project Manager of WWF Thailand who warmly welcomed the first cohort of participants joining as citizen science dedicated to safeguarding Thailand’s marine species. The first day of the program provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of marine ecology, the current status of endangered marine species in Thailand, and the importance of citizen science in supporting marine conservation. Participants were also introduced to the use of multirotor drones, aerial survey standards, photo-ID techniques, and basic data management, equipping them with practical tools for future research and monitoring activities. A highlight of the second day was the rare opportunity to observe the iconic dugong “Miracle”, along with several other marine species. Participants engaged in hands-on drone operation sessions, guided by professional instructors who emphasised […]
อ่านต่อWWF Foundation, in collaboration with WWF Thailand and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) led a team of world-renowned seagrass and dugong experts, including Dr. Leonard McKenzie and Dr. Helene Marsh, on a field survey to assess the status of seagrass meadows and dugongs in Trang, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket from January 20-27, 2025. The main objective was to evaluate the current status of the vital coastal ecosystems, which are crucial for the survival of dugongs in Thailand. We extend our gratitude to the local DMCR offices, researchers from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RMUTSV) and Prince of Songkla University (PSU), officials from Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, as well as representatives from Save Andaman Network Foundation (SAN), Ban Bohin Community Enterprise, and Ban Bang Phat Community for their collaboration and support. While observing a drone survey, the team caught a fleeting glimpse of five dugongs before they gracefully dove back into the sandy seabed. Dugongs are rarely seen during such expeditions, thus the researchers were able to document this unusual sighting. However, this promising encounter came with growing concerns. Seagrass meadows were determined to be in severe condition at numerous survey sites. The degradation […]
อ่านต่อSupported by WWF Foundation Thailand, the Center for Public Assistance on Wildlife (CPAW) was officially opened on October 2, 2024, National Parks Day. Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over the ceremony. With World Wide Fund for Nature (Thailand), the center’s office on the 12th floor of the Seub Nakhasathien Building has undergone renovations. The goal of this initiative is to create a more harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife. By providing timely assistance to communities affected by human-wildlife conflict and promoting ecological citizenship, we aim to reduce property damage, protect wildlife, and foster a greater understanding of the importance of wildlife conservation.
อ่านต่อThe SMART Patrol System is a crucial tool for enhancing the effectiveness of preventing and combating wildlife and forest resource crimes in protected areas. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, recognizing the importance of developing patrol officer skills, has partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand to conduct two training courses from 2019 to 2021 for trainers to equip park rangers with the necessary skills. However, currently, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation only has 62 trainer-instructors to develop the leadership and tactical skills of patrol teams for the SMART Patrol System, while there are 232 protected areas under the department that intensively use this system. In this regard, WWF Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand, recognizes the need to increase the number of trainers to adequately cover conservation areas in all regions of Thailand. Therefore, we have jointly supported the “Training Program for the Development of Trainers to Enhance Efficiency”. As a result, they have jointly supported the “Third Training Program for Developing Trainers to Enhance the Effectiveness of Quality Patrols” – a training course for developing the […]
อ่านต่อOn June 6, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, in collaboration with WWF-Thailand, released 24 deer , 11 males and 13 females, back into the wild under the Tiger Population Recovery Project in the Upper Western Forest Complex, at Mae Wong National Park, Kamphaeng Phet Province. This was the fourth release after the first release in 2021. To date, a total of 114 deer have been released in Mae Wong National Park and Khlong Lan National Park. The deer is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due to their important role in maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem and being a part of the food chain, ungulates like the deer are another important component in driving our wildlife conservation projects. The deer released into the wild from the Khao Kho Wildlife Breeding Station (20 animals) and the Khao Son Wildlife Breeding Station (4 animals) are under the care of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. On this occasion, WWF Thailand received a Nissan Navara 4WD PRO-4X 7AT model from Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to be used in the operation to transport deer from the Khao Kho Wildlife […]
อ่านต่อOn March 26, 2024, Dr. Kobsak Chutikul, Chairman and Board Member of the WWF Foundation, attended the book launch and exhibition “Red Cow… Breath of the Lowland Forest”, which was attended by WWF Thailand, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, along with Nine other network organizations have collaborated to produce the book and exhibition at the auditorium and hall on the 5th floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. The Javan cattle ( Bos javanicus ) is a symbol of Southeast Asia, with its beautiful and unique appearance. Today, the Javan cattle have a near-identical status. Extinct on the IUCN Red List due to hunting, especially for the collection of red cow antlers, as well as loss of lowland deciduous forest habitats, including: Deciduous forest or open forest These factors have caused the red cow population to be fragmented into small groups and their numbers are declining at an alarming rate. The banteng is a species that has received a great deal of attention in conservation work, as it helps create a balance in the food chain, maintains biodiversity in the ecosystem, and is a representative of the conservation […]
อ่านต่อMarch 3 of every year is World Wildlife Day , which coincides with the signing of the CITES Convention in 1973 in Washington, D.C., USA. Later, the 68th United Nations General Assembly officially declared March 3 as “World Wildlife Day under the United Nations (United Nations World Wildlife Day).” This year , WWF Foundation has joined in organizing knowledge-providing activity booths and exhibitions of wildlife conservation projects at the World Wildlife and Plant Day, organized by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation at the activity area, 1st floor, Seub Nakhasathien Building, Department of National Parks, on March 4, 2024, under the concept of “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation: Connecting the Wide World, Jointly Creating Innovation, Leading to Sustainable Wildlife and Plant Conservation.” In the event, there were many interested people joining in playing games, such as a quiz game about general knowledge about wild animals or guessing the name of wild animals from pictures taken by an automatic camera. They also received souvenirs such as note paper and stamps set “Adventure in Conservation of Reserved Wild Animals”, which had the inside cover picture from the winning artwork of the drawing contest by […]
อ่านต่อMR. ATHAPOL CHAROENSHUNSA, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, presided over the opening of the training course to enhance the effectiveness of SMART patrols and the SMART Patrol Center, along with Mr. Rungroj Aswakultharintr, Director of the 12th Regional Conservation Office (Nakhon Sawan), on February 27, 2024, at Mae Wong National Park, Kamphaeng Phet Province. As the SMART Patrol System is based on data-driven management principles, the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Office 12 (Nakhon Sawan), in collaboration with the SMART Patrol Center and supported by the WWF Foundation, has organized a ‘Training Program to Enhance the Efficiency and Techniques of SMART Patrols.’ This five-day training program, held from February 27 to March 2, 2024, was designed to equip 45 officers from Mae Wong National Park, Klong Lan National Park, Klong Wang Chao National Park, Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, and Khao Sanam Priang Wildlife Sanctuary with the skills, strategies, and techniques needed to effectively and safely carry out prevention and enforcement tasks in their respective areas, said Mr. Ruangroj Atsawakultharind, Director of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Office 12 (Nakhon Sawan). The SMART Patrol Center is responsible for developing standards for SMART […]
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