NAKHON NAYOK, Thailand – A late-night wildlife encounter gave a Nakhon Nayok couple quite a fright when a mysterious animal appeared high in a marian plum tree, leaving them wondering whether they were looking at a bear or even a tiger. The unusual visitor appeared at a house in Hin Tang, Mueang Nakhon Nayok district, during the night after the homeowner stepped outside to use the bathroom and noticed movement among the branches of a marian plum tree. He shone a flashlight towards the treetop and spotted a large, unfamiliar animal climbing through the branches. He called his girlfriend to take a closer look, and the couple began recording the encounter on a mobile phone.
Nattakarn Mingkhwan, 38, said that from a distance the animal initially looked like a young bear. However, when they noticed its patterned tail, they began wondering whether it could be a tiger.
Their uncertainty grew when the animal began jumping between branches and turned towards the light below. Having never seen anything like it before, the couple decided to search Google for an answer. The search eventually pointed them towards an Asian palm civet, locally known as an “ee-hen.” The discovery brought relief and excitement, as the couple realized they had encountered a civet in the wild at close range.
The house is located near forested areas around Khao Yai and is surrounded by numerous trees. The homeowners believe the civet may have left the forest at night in search of food before making its way into the residential area. Concerned that dogs could attack the animal, the couple carefully tried to encourage it to leave without attempting to catch or harm it. The civet eventually climbed down from the marian plum tree and left the property, returning safely towards its natural habitat.
What began as a frightening mystery in the middle of the night ended as an unexpected wildlife encounter, highlighting how wild animals can sometimes venture close to homes in search of food. Residents who encounter wildlife are advised to avoid approaching or attempting to capture the animals and allow them a safe route back into nature.
