KANCHANABURI, Thailand – Erawan National Park has warned residents of Ban Thung Kang Yang in Sai Yok district to exercise extreme caution and avoid entering nearby forest areas after rangers discovered fresh-looking tiger footprints close to the park boundary. Park chief Phiphat Chimplee said the tracks were found on Sept. 6 during a patrol conducted to monitor and prevent illegal activities involving natural resources and wildlife. Rangers discovered the footprints in forested land around Ban Thung Kang Yang, Moo 7, Sai Yok subdistrict, in an area overlapping the boundary of Erawan National Park. They measured and documented the tracks before reporting the finding to their superiors.
The footprints measured approximately 13 centimetres in length and width, with the paw measuring about 9.5 centimetres across. A preliminary inspection of the surrounding area found no carcasses or signs of other wildlife that could indicate a recent kill. Officials noted that the location is regularly used by wild elephants, which frequently move beyond the protected forest, and is also a route used by local residents entering the forest to gather wild plants and other forest products.
Rangers believe the tiger may have been using the same route as the elephants while moving through the area in search of prey or exploring potential feeding grounds. Erawan National Park has instructed officers to closely monitor the situation and has contacted community leaders and residents of Ban Thung Kang Yang, urging them to take extra care when travelling through the area and avoid entering the forest near where the tracks were discovered. The park is also coordinating with Panthera Thailand to conduct further surveys and track signs of the tiger.
Officials are preparing to install wildlife camera traps and deploy drones to survey the surrounding forest for additional signs. The information gathered will be used to assess the situation and determine appropriate measures to protect local residents while monitoring the tiger’s movements.
Authorities have not reported any tiger encounter with residents or attacks on people in connection with the discovery.
