Create a wildlife corridor for tigers in Thailand 

The largest of all big cats, the Tiger once roamed freely throughout central, eastern and southern Asia, but in the past century alone, rapid habitat loss has caused this majestic animal to lose more than 93% of its historic range. Compounded with poaching, populations have dropped from 100,000 to just 3,500.

The Western Forest Complex in Thailand, encompassing 7,232 square miles of forest habitat along the border with Myanmar, is home to the only viable population of Tigers in mainland Southeast Asia. The country’s conservation victories in this landscape have rendered it a stronghold for threatened species, but three areas have been identified as critical gaps in urgent need of our protection. 

Rainforest Trust and our partner, Panthera have the incredible opportunity to safeguard these gaps by creating three new protected areas. 

Save habitat for Asian Elephants and other threatened species

In addition to Tigers, the potential sites will save critical habitat for Asian Elephants (EN), whose populations have been declining for centuries. Although it is difficult to count elephants in Thailand’s dense vegetation, there are estimated to be at most about 3,300 surviving today. Herds of over 100 individuals have been spotted roaming, making these areas vital in the species’ protection.

Other at-risk, globally important species have been recorded here as well including Asiatic Wild Dog or Dhole (EN), Banteng (EN), Leopard (VU), Clouded Leopard (VU), Sambar (VU), Bearcat (VU), Sun Bear (VU) and Asiatic Black Bear (VU). The Endangered Green Peafowl and three species of hornbill listed as Vulnerable also inhabit the reserve areas. The Lar Gibbon (EN) and the Large-spotted Civet also live there.

Support sustainable solutions for human-wildlife coexistence

Together, we can secure and connect vital missing pieces of a conservation landscape that includes national parks and wildlife sanctuaries critical to the survival of keystone species and wide-ranging species like Tigers and Asian Elephants to move safely across the land.

Official designation of these protected areas by Thailand’s Department of Natural Resources brings funding and personnel who are trained and empowered to enforce Thailand’s conservation laws that regulate destructive activities like mining, poaching and illegal cattle ranching.

Local community members will help develop plans to address land use concerns in a way that will protect people’s traditional forest practices and benefit resident species at the same time. The peaceful coexistence of humans and non-human species within the protected environment is a guiding goal.