It was the best way to capture a tiger – on film. Thailand’s efforts to protect and conserve its precious population of tigers in the wild achieved an important victory when a camera trap snapped images of the first Bengal tiger spotted in a Thai national park in about a decade.

The December 7 sighting of the majestic tiger in Kui Buri National Park southwest of Bangkok and near the border with Myanmar sent morale soaring among park rangers and conservationists. During a press conference on January 6, Atthapong Pao-on, Chief of Kui Buri National Park, credited, “the dedicated efforts of the park rangers who patrolled diligently to prevent forest encroachment and other activities that threaten the environment.”

Just as importantly he said, the presence of the Bengal tiger is evidence that the park is once again a flourishing ecosystem capable of supporting such a mighty predator.

“The sighting showcases the broader success of Thailand’s wildlife conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts. The appearance of the tiger is a promising step forward in the efforts to protect and restore the habitats of endangered species,” wrote Khao Sod newspaper.

Last July, the World Wildlife Fund heaped praise on Thailand for becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to increase its wild tiger population. The organization said that after years of conservation efforts, Thailand’s estimate of tigers in the wild has been raised to 179-223.

“This increase marks a significant turn in the tide for tigers in Southeast Asia. Thailand is a beacon of hope for tiger recovery in Southeast Asia,” WWF wrote on its website. 

During the past quarter century, tigers have gone extinct in many countries.

“Thailand is driving tiger conservation forward in the region, and I hope this success inspires other governments to invest in tiger recovery efforts,” said Natalie Phaholyothin, CEO, WWF-Thailand.

In another example of Thailand’s efforts bearing fruit, in 2023, a tigress with three cubs was documented by a camera trap in a Thai forest. The extremely rare sighting of a young tiger family was just the first sign of recovery. A year later, camera traps had confirmed that the tigress’s cubs had left her and were establishing their own territory. Then months after that, the same tigress was recorded on a camera trap with three new cubs.

“Conservationists couldn’t believe their eyes,” wrote WWF.

Photo courtesy of  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2934705/bengal-tiger-seen-in-national-park-after-decades-absence