Thailand
Khao Yai NP
Khao Yai NP lies in North-Eastern Thailand about 3 hours travel from Bangkok. Due to an average altitude of more than 1000 m the climate is comparatively cool. The entire almost 2000 km2 large park is forested with some grassy plains. Apart from a prolific birdlife (see respective page) this is also a good place to observe some south-east asian mammals and reptiles. Khao Yai is a perfect place to spot deer (barking and sambar) as well as the stunning gibbon monkeys. Predators are present, amongst others sun bears, several wild cat species and even a few tigers, which moved in from the east in recent years. However chances seeing any of those are slim or virtually non existent. With plenty of time and luck some of the park's doles (asian wild dogs) might show. Nevertheless realistic chances exist spotting an elefant herd or a lone bull.
Access to the park is either from the south or - more popular - from Pak Chong in the north along a road lined with hotels and restaurants. The park gets very busy over the weekends and it might be wise to avoid those days. The park headquarter can be reached hitchhiking or with private transport. A number of accomodation options inside the park include several - uninspiring - campsites. Driving along the park roads and in particular hiking several trails are the options to spot wildlife.
Khao Yai's forests are frequented by several tree squirrel species, which feed on the abundant fruits.
the malayan black giant squirrel is the largest of its kind. It typically weighs more than 1 kg and feeds on seeds and fruits.
Barking deer or muntjacs are small and shy inhabitants of forests from india to indonesia.
Sambar deer are large and can weigh up to 500 kg, even though 250 kg is mor typical. Both sexes have strange throat glands developing a blood like liquid. The purpose of this is still not clear. Sambars are good swimmers and even the female know to defend their young.
Only the male - like most deer - possess antlers. Distribution reaches from India to Taiwan and Indonesia. In India they may provide staple diet to tigers in major reserves, in Khao Yai with very few tigers and wild dogs as most important predators they are far less vulnerable.
Wild boar are well represented in Thailand's forests. In Khao Yai this species seems less prominent.
Porcupines are a common sight in the rest camps at night.
Groups of pig tailed macaques are common throughout the park and frequently can be seen around the camps. The larger males possess impressive teeth and occasionally try to impress human observers, in particular children.
Lar or white handed gibbons are true acrobats, which almost exclusively live the trees. they can be either white or black and both varieties can be seen in one group. Loud and characteristic songs are helpful to locate a troup.
Exclusive diet are fruits, figs are commonly consumed.
Khao Yai is home to several groups of asiatic elefants. Cyclers on a road through the park wisely give way to a bull.
Elefants are difficult to observe in dense forest. Roads or grassy plains offer better chances.
breeding herd with matriarch and several calfs in the open
