Rare leopard photographed in Kaeng Krachan National Park

A rare leopard (Panthera pardus) was spotted strolling along a road in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province yesterday.

The big cat was seen staring at the photographer, Kittipong Ngarmjing, who came across it between the 12 and 13 KM road markers, heading to Phanoen Thung in the park.

Mongkol Chaiyapakdee, the head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, said that the sighting of the panther id a good sign and an indication that the ecological system of the park remains healthy and unspoiled.

The leopard, he said, is a predator at the top of the food chain in the forest, adding that the park has stepped up foot patrols as well as the installation of camera traps to protect its wildlife and plant life from poachers and to record the presence of rare animals.

He urged all visitors to the park to comply strictly with the rules, refrain from making loud noises which may disturb the animals and reduce their speed on the park’s roads, especially during the night and in the early morning.

Visitors are also asked to refrain from dropping or leaving litter in the park.