Survey Of Mammals In South Thailand Parks

SURVEY OF MAMMALS IN SOUTH THAILAND PARILS

ABSTRACT From 17 November 1987 throu&h 24 January 1988. a brief survey of mammals wivlmndwedat9national~ksoTSowhThailand.Thgrcreoceandrelativeabundaoa of mammrtls in the various parks were determined. M assessmen1 was also made of conservarion-related problems in these parks. A total of 77 s w i g s of land mammals were seen or reported from lhese parks.

INTRODUCTION

Most prowed conservation areas in Thailand have not been thoroughly surveyed for their biological resources. Detailed information on rektive abundance for forest mammals in most aational parks of South Thailand is sparse and opportunistic. Most knowledge of presence and abundance of mammals is outdated (KLosS. 1916a; 1916b; 1917; 1919; CHASEN. 1935; OLYDENSTOLPE, 1919: LEKAOUL& MCNEFLLY,1977; MEDWAY,1982) or is based on imprecise locatious (e.g. NOWAK& PAMDISO. 1983). Few reports givespecific locations (FOODEN, 1976: STORER. 1978). The maip purpose of this project was to briefly survey and determine the presence and rehtive abundance of the mammalian fauna in parks in peninsular Thailand. Special attention was paid to non-buman primates, particularly the increasingly rare shunptaiIed macaque @OODEW, 1976; LPKAGUL & MCNEELY, 1977). Information gathered is being provided to the Conservation Data Center, Dept. of Biology, Mahidol University, and will contribute to the general store of knowledge on mammals in South Thailand.

METHODS Maps (1 : 50,000 Series L7017) were used to locate the areas visited; relative

abundance and distribution were estimated from sightings, calls, tracks, feces, and other indicative signs in the different habitats. Where the terrain was unfamiliar and hostile, local guides were used. Trails were trekked extensively in search of animal signs. interviews with reliable hunters, villagas, and park workers were conducted for info~mationon the presence, relative abundance, poaching of wildlife; and the

Center for Wildlife Research, Dcpl. of Bioliology, R d l y of Scim% ,Mahido1University, Rema VI Road, Bangkok laZ00, fballand.

Table 1. L i s t of National Parks visited with dates, during winter of 1987- 88.

Land area Days surveyed

(ha)

No. Park and location

For.

1 Phangnga Bay, Phangnga Province (8' M' -8" 25' N/98" 25' -98O 40' E)

ma

40,000

Nov. 17-21

2 Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang, Phangnga Prt,vke me (go 23' -8" 33' N/98" 12'. -98" 20' E)

7,200

Nov. 21 -25

31,500

Nov. 25-28

38,996

Dec. 09- 12

3 Laem Son, Ranong Province (9O 16' -9" 41 ' N/98" 18' -98' 31 ' E)

me

4 Hat Noppharar Thara- Mu KO Phi Phi, Krabi ma/bf Prouincep 39' -8" 08' N/98"44' -98' 56 ' E) 5 Xhao Phanom Bencha, Krabi Province (8" 13' -8" 19' N/9g0 53' -99" 58' E)

me

5,012

Dec. 12- 17

6 Hat Chao Mai, Trang Province (7" 17' -7" 32' N/Wa 13' -99'

ma

23,088

Dec. 17-21

29' E)

7 Mu KOPbekra, Satun Province (6" 45' -7' OR' N/99' 23' -99'

me

49,438

Dee.21 -23

49' Ej

8 Khao Luang, Nakhon Sri Tharnmarat Province me (8" 39' -8" 41 ' N/W0 41 ' -99" 43' E)

57,000

Jan. 11- 17

9 Khao Sok. Surat Thani Province (8' 50' -go 05' N/98' 30' -98" 50' El

64,552

Jan. 18-24

Key to Table : For. Dorsinaru Form Type ma - Mangrove me - MoimEvergreen bf - Beach Fomt

-

me

extent of encroachment in the park. No trapping was carried out; thus, small mammals which do not leave specific signs or which h e difficult io observe were not adequately surveyed. Bats were also not survqred. Table 1 lists all arcas visited and dates. RESULTS During the survey of the 9 national parks, it was observed (Table 2) that rhe park that bad the highest number of species seen/reported was Khao Luang National Park (46 species); followed by Khao Lampi-Ha Thai Muang National Park (42 species), Khao Sok and Khao Phanom Bencha National Parks (both parks having 38 species), Phangnga Bay National Park (26 species), Laem Son National Park (23 species), Hat Chao Mai National Park (22 species), Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu KO Phi Phi National Park (19 species), and Mu KOPbetra National Park (12 speoies). The mammals that were seenhported in all the parks surveyed are Cynocephalus variegatus, PIesbytis obscum, Presbytis cristafa, Sw scrofa, and Tragulus javanicus. Species that were seenheported in most of the parks include Tupaia glis, Nycticebus coucaag. Macaca nemestrina, Macaca arctoides. Manis javanica, Ratyfa bicolw. Rattars rams, and Hystrix br~chyuru.It was also noted that highest diversity and highest relative abundance of species were in parks where the dominant forest type is moist evergreen. The major threat to primates in all these parks is habitat loss, and the gibbons were usually the most seriously threatened. Besides that, female gibbons are sometimes killed for their infants, to be sold as pets. Infant pig-tailed macaques are acquired in the same manner for the purpose of harvesting coconuts. Pig-tailed macaques are trained to harvest coconuts wfiie infants and these trained macaques fetch a high market price. Some specis of primates as the dusk) leaf monkeys, silvered leaf monkeys, and long-tailed macaques are sometimes hunted as source of protein. Most seriously affecred are the little-known stump-tailed macaques which are killed when they become agricultural pests. Stump-tailed macaques practise cropraiding during the rice harvest season, from December to February. However, deer. the main animals that are poacbed in parks are k l d pigs, barking deer, -bar and Lesser mousedeer, which ;ue either used for local consumption or sold to restaurants specialisiig in game animals, along with certain species of bxds, reptiles and amphibians.

CommentP on Parka I. Plrangngu Bay Na&nal Park Phangnga Bay National Park was surveyed for l a d , m a y on the islands; and Wat Tham Suwan Khwan Khuha in Amphur Muang Pbangnp, a few kilometers from the park, was also uisited. Forest type on the islands is forest on

Figure 1 Map of Soulb Thailsd qhomng oatiaaal parks surveyed (starred circle). Numbued parks am i d d f i e d in Table I .

SURVEY OF M

U INSOUI'H THAMND PARKS

limestone fringed with mangroves. The Westrial part is wholly mangroves but adjoins the Lowlandevergreen forest af Suan Pa NBKok (a protected area). There are fishing villages on the islands visited. At Wac Tham Suwan Khuha, a non-protected area, there were a good number of M a m a fdcularis; these macaques are sometimes shot as a source of prorein by the Thai Buddhist villagers living in the vicinity. Phangnga Bay National Park is a very well visited place. However, wildlife at this park is not disturbed by the touristic activities. But presently it is not possible to keep a constant check on the illegal squatters and loggers with the siagle'boat that the park

has.

2. Khao Lumpi - Hat Thai Miumg National Park

Forest types in Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Muang NadonalPark include tropical rainforest, tropical evergreen forest, mangrove forest, beach Porest and swamp forest. Poaching for mammals is not serious here although afew Live-traps intbded for Dagulwj c v a n h were found at Hat Thai Muang. However, during the months of November to February, the park wardens work overtime to ensure that the eggs of sea turtles are not robbed from their nests on the beach. Atmop of Macam mesMncl from Kbao Na Yak (a Naval area) practices cmplaidhg during the rice hw,at months &om December to January in the areas bordering the park. However, organised illegal logging is qmte serious at Khao Lampi. I found many loggedareas, both recent and old, but these areas are off the normal trails, hidden from sight. These loggers would convert the fallen logs into planks using chainsaws. Trea lo@ were 'Mai Lumpho' (Inlsia palembnnica) and 'Mai Champa'Thong' (MieMP chonr@ea)). The wardens need to be provided with better arms, biaoculars and walkietalkies before this forest is stripped bare. The illegal loggers are amed due to the high value of the timber. 3. h e m Son Waf&

PrvR

Laen~Son National Park includes moist evergreen, beach and mangrove fapest. Rice cultivation is prgclised along with cashew and coconuts in areas swoundiog the park. Poaching for Sw scrofa and TraguIus jclvonicw is done mainly to obtain meat to be consumed l d y , or at times sold in Ranong. Traguh javanicats trapped alive are s o m m sold as ts. NMicebw coucang are at times killed due to superstitious beliefs, tis they are considered bad omens by the local Moslems and non-Moslems aUe. At Ratcha Krut, there is a shop that buys animal hidesand reptilian s k i from poachers and villagers, which are either sold as such or converted into leather goods and later resold. Illegal felling of trees is meatly reduced due to the efficient patrolhg by the park workers.

Table 2. Lit of mammals seen or reported in each park visited with relative abundance or approximate number of individuals. Species

la Echlnoso~er gymnurus Hylomys sui(1us Crocrduro fulignoso Suncus murinus Tu@a gilk Cynoce~holw vorregmus Nyctfcebus ClJUCQn8 MQcOM

nemestrino Macaca

ornoides Macem foscioul~r& RcsByliS meI010ph~s PrrsbyIis

ohrrum prRbylb GrLsrmLI

ffpfobmes lor Cuon 4Ipl~(s

Ursw rhdbefanus HeIar<m nwlo~nus Mvsreln nudipes MolTer pavigula

lb

2

3a

3b

National Park

4 5

6

7a

7b

8

9

Table 2 (wntinucd).

SWa

.la

ib

2

3a

3b

National Park 4 d v-l

6

?a

7b

8

w2

9

Table 2 (continued). National Park Species

l

a

l

b

Z

3

a

3

b

4

5

6

7

a

7

b

S

9

-

w2

NeoJelis nebulosa Panrheru purdtls

w3

h2

Panrheru ligris

W3

hZ

w3

Elephas rr~aximrrs

t-1

Tapirlcr indictrs Sus rrof"

v-2

(vs

1-11

1-3

pd

WS

1 3

t-l

Munriuctrs munljuk

1-1

Cervtts unirwlor

w3

hS

1-3

1-1

w3

WZ

w3

1-3

1-8 15.

v-1

w4

v-I

h3

w3

w4

wS

1-1

wd

1-1

h3

1-1

hf,

Trugulus nupn Trugulr~s juvmicus

1-2

w3

Bos

w4

1-3

w4

1-5

1-3

1-3

w3

"

U

WJ

13

i-2

u3

jvvenielrs

Bos guurus Cupricornis su~na~ruet~sir

u4

Manis iuvunica

v3

RaruJa bicolor

wS

Rnr* @?inis Ci111osciurus ll4101W

Ca/Iosciurus flavimanus Callu~eiurus cnniteps Co/~ciunts prevarri

<-I

r-2

r-2

w3 ws

u4

w3

w3

"-2

r\3vcIA/rr4

v-l

w*

W4

U3

*I v+2

w3

w-3

w3

SURVEY OF MAMMNS IN SOUTH THAILAND PARKS

Table 2 (continued). National Park Spff~es

la

lb

2

3a

ramiops macclell~ndl

3b

4

5

6

7a

7b

w3

w2

Dranomys ruJigeRis

8

9

w4

w3

WA

m4

v-1

Pelaurisru cleguns F'eiuurislu pe1auris1u Hy.dperes Iepidus Peiinwnys WIDSUS Rhlzomys su~narnzends Chiropodofnys glr~rdes Bundrcoiu lndrm

Mus mrolr Mus mstuneus

w4

Ikrylmys

w2

bowi MUXOI~.V# whiiehehwdi

V-l

Mex01nys surrer

u4

Nivivmfer

w2

cremnrivenier Railrts Pallus

w6

w5

Hystrm bmchyuru

w4

W4

w2

Aikeruru~ mawourus

w4

w5

Uir

(*4

w4

1-1

W3

ud

16

w3

f.5

w3

wfr

v-l

Tabk 2 (Continued). Key lo Tabk :

l a Phananaa BW National Park t t e r w i a l )

lb ~ h a n $ n h National Parl (marine)

Nalbnal Pwk

2 Khao Lampi Hal Thai Mu3a Lacm S P hationel ~ Park (rar&rid)

3b LaMl Sun National Psk (marine)

4 Hat Noppharaf Thara - Mu KO Phi Phi National Park

5 Khao Phanom Beacha National Park

6 Hat Chao Mni Naiiond Purk

7a Mu KO Phefra Nadond Park Iremstrial)

7b Mu KO PhmPa Natnonal P s ~ k(marme)

8 Xhao L w g Nation4 Park

9 Khao Sok National Park

-

repond by N.P. wofkns

reported by hunters

regon& by villasefs

slghled

a- heard I- trackr f- fern s- sefapeslothcr indrcalive signs whuv-

*-

probsbiyprcsent

A/ wsdbly pmenc

Figurn $dollowing hyphen (-)refer to approximate n u m b of individuals Figures without hyphen (4 lefcr 10 abuadartee level : I -vagrant

2 - stam undumnined

3 - rare

4 - uncommon

5 - common

6 abundant

-

-

4. Hat Nopphawt T h m Mu KO Phi Phi NatSorral Park Forest rypes in this park are moist orergrm, mangrove and swamp forest. Only the mainlaad waa surveyed. Poaching for Sus scr~faand ~ q g u l t y jsmmimrs occurs in the park. Live-traps are laid out for Traguhisjm~nicwsat off-route places. I found a live-trap set at Jlhao Hang Nak, and also saw the remains of a kenfly eonsumad RrrguhLF javanieus in one of bhe homes at the fwfhills. L was informed that mcentiy two hrmters had shat down taro M a e m mroides when they faiIed to get any SwseraJiu. Villagers would be pleasedif they were rid off these macaques, as they are considered agricultwalpests. Illegal felling of tras within fhe pwk boundary has been greafly reduced but deforestation outside the park Ls ocounhg 81 aa alarming are sometimes planted in into 'islands'. Rubber rate m a w the forested these forested areas.

SURVEY OF MIMWUSINSOUTH THAlUND PAR&S

5. 87roo fYmom h h a National Park

Poaching of animals is quite serious here either for meat or to be sold/kept as pets. Numerous ppachers' camps were found, both old and recent, during the survey. The unguliltes are most sought for in terms of protein. In one of the villagers' homes, I found a black bear (Ursus thibetaw) cub a few months old, and also a retioulared python 1.2 m long. The villagers consider it their right to trap or kill animals on their cultivated lands, which some animals enter in search of food. Many of the park workers are from the same village where these poachers are from and thus they tend to ignore these activities. Encroachment is quite serious and increasing by the day in the form of rice and mbbet cultivation. Another serious matter i s the large-scde growing of marijuana deep in the forested areas. There is urgent need to improve protection as this park has a rich fauna and flora. At present this park, because it is not regarded as an important tourist spot, lacks basic facilities and has insuffident substations due to its low budget. For tropiwf forest and wildlife wnsen'ation, I strongly feel that thispark n d s to be placed on the 'priaity one' lisL 6. Hat Chao Mai National Park

e

Forest types in this park are moist evergreen, mangrove and beach forest. In tke course of the survey, I found many traps and met a number of poachers. They seem ignorant of the fact that poachii is unIawful. At Khao Nsm Rap, a villager was killed in one of the gun-traps set out for Sus scrofa. It consisted of a tripwire attached to the trigger of a gua positioned at knee level, but it must have reoriented its line of fire. (I had trekked the same path a day earlierl) Mucm aroloider are killed as agricultural pests or for their infants to be kept as pets or to be trained to climb for coconuts. A viIlagex had recently Wed a mother and obtained an infant and a young juvenile which later died in captivity. The forest here is in a very sad state. Tbere is serious logging and encroachment it the form of cultivation and residences. The new superintendent of three months on the job is conscientious, but up to bis neck inproblems. The headquarters still lacks the basic amenities like water and electrid sapply, and has serious problems with the local villagers who do not wish to obey park regulations. I feel that this problem started when the park was initidy set up; nobody bothered to & a h the putpose of the park. The villagers feel tbat the park has deprived them of their ancestral hods which can be put to better uses like cultivation or constroction of homes.

7. Mu KO Ahcrm National PcvR Mu KO Phetra Park has evergreen forest, beach forest, mangrove forest and coconut plantations. The park does not offermuch wildlife, but there is hope for the species that arc present because the human population around the park are Moslems aod they are pmmupiied with 5shing-theirmain Livdihood. FVinWes, espe&Uy M ~ M

fascicularis, flourish, especially on islands and in the mangrove forests. Illegal 10r d y occurs. but mangrove trees are being logged outside the park boundary for the purpose of making cbarcoal to be expotted to Singapore. I see no threat to the wildlife, especially primates. Lwmg NaiioMI Pmk Forest typesin the park are evergreen, forest over limestone and swamp forest. Poaching is quite serious in the areas from Klong Ra Nae toward Ban Phi Phun, where I found many recent poachers' camps all along the river (Klong Ra Nae). On January 11,1988; the p r k workers nma& to seize a heshly k i i Susscmfa weighing more than 100 kg, while the poachers managed to escape. The Sus mofa was later buried at the park headquarters. Negal logging has reportedly stopped due to the frequent arrests, but encroachment in the form of crop cultivation does occur at various places around the park. Pzesently, road construction within the park has caused major deforestation. There is a need to set up a substation at Klong Ra Nae near Ban Phi Pun to look into the poaehing activities. Also, I feel that the forested area between Khao Luang National Park and Tai Lorn Jen National Park (Surat Thani Province), needs to be surveyed for any wide-ranging species of mammals. If there are any, then that area should be incorporated into either of the parks.

8. &o

9. hXao Sok Nmionnl ParR

This park has undulating terrain with limestone h i and the predominant forest type is m& evergreen. Poaching is frequent here but the main tbreat is enaoachment in the form of rice cultivation 21the park area during the dry season in the months of January to March. V i e folk often enter the park and Wpst rattan canes which fetch a high market value. Dnting the survey at b3ang Waang, I found many dead fishes in the stream caused by the illegal use of explosives to harvest the fuhes. There seems to be overcrowding of wildlife in the areas of Tham Khee Khang Khow and Kloag 'w- caused by flooding of the park witb the construction of the Rajaprabbha Dam. DISCUSSION Mammals seen/reported in the 9 national parks surveyed, in comparison with previous surveys wherever conducted, are simiIar in most w e s but their relative abundance has decreased in most parks. This is attributed to several factors; firstly, these parks have become isolated pockets surrounded by human settlements and cultivated aops, With this the ranges of certain mammals have'beenreduced, and the mwements of certain wide ranging species are prevented. Secondly, there is serious encroachment a! these parks which beg led to an increase in poaching and animals being killed as agricultural pests. Most animals are poached for food, either to be

SURVEY Of M A W LNWUTHTWAIUND PARKS

83

consumed locang or sold to restaurants. Sometimes these animals are Wed for their hides or skins; or when live-trapped, are k@/sold as pets. in tho* parks where stump-tailed macaques occur, they itre always killed because they raid crops during the rice haryest. In all the parks I visited, the park officials appear to work hard and try their best to eradicate poaching, encroachment and tree-felling, but they aie not compIeteIy succwful because of a lack of manpower, modan &awls and good feleoommunications equipment. A basic c a m of poaching is the poverty of the vWagers living close to the national parks. Most of these vilIagers rely on agriculture for their livelihood and try to extend their cultivated lands into the park areas i n order to increase their income. Poaching by these villagers is mainly to try to supplement their diet. However, when the poachers are town dwellers, or when tree-fellleg is done by organised groups, the lack of modem fueanns d i i o u r t~he park wardens from wishing to have any encounters with them. More empbagis should also probably he placed by the park officials on public relations and extension work with the viUagers living near the parks to help solve the poachmg problem. Out of the total of 157 species ~fnon-voht land mammals from the 26 families found in Thailand (HONAWet al., 1982), the investigator managed to find evidence for 77 species. Of the 9 national parks surveyed, there is a strong need to put maximpm conservation efforts into Khao Phanom Bencha National Pafk, Khap Luang National Park and Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Muang Natioaal Park, which still have exeellent forest habitat and the largest number of spedes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The investigatior wishes to acknowledge Wildlife Conservation International. Bronx, New York, and the World Wildlife Fund (Project Thailaod No. 3713) for providing the funds to condud this survey. I also acknowledge Mr. Sai Vejaboasakom, Assistant Director, National Parks Division, Royal Forest Department, Thailand, for granting permission to conduct rhis survey, and Prof. Warren Y. Brockehnan for overseeing the work. Not to forget the numerous persons at the various parks who provided essential information and help to 'the investigator; unfortunately these persons are too numerous to name here. REFERENCES CH*SEN,F.N. 1935.

Memm8ls from Sam. I.Sim. Soe. hbt.

&. Slrppl. 10 :31-57.

FWDEN,'~.1976. Rimate obtained i n Pminsular Thailand June-JuIy, 1973, with noteon the distribution

of continental Soutbwst Asian W-rnonkcys (RasbyIir). Primata. 17 : 95-118. list of the mammals H( p r w t kmwn ro inhabit Slam. I.Na1. Hbr. Soc. SiPm

~ L Y O C ~ L P EN. , 1919, A

3 :127-176.

WNACLI. J.H..G.E. KINMANand 1.W.KOEPPL. 1985. ManmalSpeciesof the WarM.A rdWMonic and gwgrrrphic rgfwRm. A h has. Inc. and the Assaciaiion of Systemalic CoUcflions. Kansas.

KLOSS, B. C. 1916e. On a mllawn of mammals from Siam. J. Nol. H&. Soe. Sam 2 : 1-32. 1916b. On some Siamese mammals. J. hW. Hbt, Soc. e m 2 :71-87: . 1917. On a third collection of SiDmase mammals. J. Naf. Hbl. Soc. Sam 2 :288-318. . 1019. On mammals mildin Sim. J . Nut. H&t. .Sot Siam 3 : 333-4Ql.

.

LIJWUL. B. and J.A. ~MCNEUY, 1977. Mammals q j Thailand. Association for the Conservation Of W i f e . Baoplrok. MDWAV, L. 1982. The Wild Mamma& of Malap (Peninsular Mataysia) and Singmre. Oxford Univmily Press, K d a Lumpur. NOWAK, R.M. and I.L. PARADISO1983. Walker's Mat~rmalsojihe Wortd.. (2 Vols). The J ~ h nHopkii University P r e s ~Baltimore and London. STORW.P.J. 1978. A Bidlogtcal Survey of a lowlaud evergreen Scrub forest and meadowland b southem Thailand. Nai. Htsl. &U. Slam. SW. 27 : 93-114.

s

.

-.i