Western Forest Complex

The Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM) is a large natural conservation area in Thailand, located in the country's western region along its border with Myanmar. It covers 12 national parks and 7 wildlife sanctuaries, and serves as the main biodiversity conservation corridor of the region. Covering 18,730 km2, it is one of the largest protected territories in Southeast Asia. The geography of the Western Forest Complex ranges from lowlands to the mountains of the Thai highlands and the Dawna-Tenasserim Hills.[1]

Area of the Western Forest Complex

Because of its large size, the complex supports a diversity of large mammals, 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

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Conservation efforts

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Tigers

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In January 2024, a female tiger was two cubs was recorded for the first time in over a decade in the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Western Forest Complex - Protected areas
  2. ^ Corbley, Andy (2024-01-08). "Camera Catches Sighting of a Tiger with Cubs for First Time in 10 Years, Raising Hopes for Species in Thailand". Good News Network. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
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