Found "Leopard" fleeing wildfire, taking refuge in a cave within Omkoi Wildlife SanctuaryDirector of Protected Area Regional Office 16ordered officials to enforce strict surveillance to prevent disturbance and protect against illegal wildlife poaching in the area
It was reported that the Facebook page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation posted that Mr. Kritsiam Kongsatri, Director of Protected Area Regional Office 16 (Chiang Mai), revealed a rare wildlife sighting report in Chiang Mai province. On 1 April, officials from Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Thailand), detected one leopard in the forest area of Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Initial checks showed that the leopard was healthy and strong. It is believed to have fled due to wildfires in nearby areas. Officials have been instructed to conduct patrols and monitor the area at a safe distance to prevent disturbance and to guard against illegal wildlife poaching in the area.
The leopard is a protected wild animal under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act. It is solitary by nature and highly adaptable to its environment, often using highland areas or caves for shelter. The recent sighting of the leopard in the Ping River basin serves as an important indicator of the ecological richness of Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the key habitats for wild cat species in northern Thailand.
Thanks to the Facebook page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for the information.