Western Forest Complex

Ramit River at the southern corner of Thung Yai Naresuan Sanctuary bordering on Khao Laem National Park

Physical map of Burma and neighbouring countries

The Western Forest Complex, straddling two countries - Thailand and Myanmar - and comprising 19 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, is a main biodiversity conservation corridor of the region. Covering 18,730 square km, it is one of the largest protected territories in South East Asia. The geography of the Western Forest Complex ranges from lowlands to the mountains of the Thai highlands and the Dawna-Tenasserim Hills.^[1]

Because of its large size, it supports a rich large mammal fauna, including Indochinese tiger, Indochinese leopard, dhole, clouded leopard, sun bear, 10 species of primates (all five of the region’s macaques), gaur, banteng, water buffalo, elephant, tapir, and four of Thailand’s five deer species. Altogether 153 mammal species, 490 bird species, 41 reptiles and 108 species of fish are confirmed in the area.

Protected areas

In Burma

• Tanintharyi Nature Reserve

In Thailand

• Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary
• Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
• Thung Yai Naresuan (West and East) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Khao Sanampriang Wildlife Sanctuary
• Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary
• Erawan National Park
• Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park
• Sai Yok National Park
• Si Nakharin National Park
• Khlong Lan National Park
• Mae Wong National Park
• Phu Toei National Park
• Khlong Wang Chao National Park
• Khao Laem National Park
• Thong Pha Phum National Park
• Lam Khlong Ngu National Park
• Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kaeng Krachan National Park

References

External links

• Western Forest Complex
• Description of Wildlife Sanctuaries Thung Yai Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng
• Mongabay: camera trap footage of a list of species in the area