Villagers in Chiang Mai were alarmed after discovering tracks resembling a tiger's paw in the forest area bordering Chom Thong and Mae Wang districts. The director of Protected Areas Regional Office 16 revealed that wildlife camera traps have only captured images of the "dhole," a predatory animal. They affirmed they are cautious and have deployed patrol teams to monitor community areas 24 hours a day.
At 3:00 p.m. on 26 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters learned that Mr. Chanchai Peopan-suk, a forestry officer at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai, along with related officials, was on patrol when villagers who raise cattle in Ban Huai Mae Hoi Nai, Ban Luang subdistrict, Chom Thong district, near the Mae Wang district border, reported finding large tiger tracks in the Huai Mae Hoi Nai forest. The team then proceeded to inspect the site together with the Doi Inthanon National Park unit.
Upon arrival, they found several large tiger footprints stamped on the ground, each about 7 cm wide. After news of the tiger tracks spread, villagers became fearful and reluctant to bring their cattle into the forest or forage there.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kritsayam Kongsatri, director of Protected Areas Regional Office 16 (Chiang Mai), disclosed that after incidents of livestock attacks in Ban Muang Ang, Ban Luang subdistrict, Chom Thong district, within Doi Inthanon National Park, he assigned Mr. Wannachai Rakmit, director of the National Park Division, to lead a team on site to monitor the situation and coordinate with local authorities. Their goal is to identify the predator species and implement security measures at the joint command center located at the Wang Muang–Wang Kwai Tourism Service Center and Ban Muang Ang. This integrated effort involves Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Research Station, the Wildlife Conservation Office, academic teams from office 16, veterinarians, Doi Inthanon National Park leaders, drone units, and local administrative officials to examine tracks and review wildlife camera trap footage.
Additional reports from the quality patrol team of Mae Wang National Park indicated discovery of predator tracks near the Lam Huai Ban Mae Taeng area, adjoining Doi Inthanon National Park. The drone team conducted detailed searches for coordinates and signs at the scene. Although initial camera trap results only showed images of the "dhole," a natural predator, the park authorities still take seriously local leaders’ and villagers’ claims that they have encountered a large Bengal tiger over three meters long at close range.
Currently, officials are intensifying the search for forensic evidence to clarify the facts and reassure the community about safety measures. Doi Inthanon National Park has urged villagers and communities where animal carcasses were found to securely pen their livestock in sturdy enclosures to prevent further attacks.
At the same time, park authorities have established patrol teams to maintain 24-hour security in the area to prevent panic and reduce direct encounters between people and wildlife, allowing residents to live normally. Additionally, thermal drones will be deployed to continuously monitor and track predator locations.