Rare black leopards spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park
>Kaeng Krachan National Park has shared rare footage of two black leopards displaying natural behaviour near a road inside the park, in what officials described as an unusual sighting.
>The video was recorded by Thai tourists travelling along a route in the national park and was released by Mongkol Chaipakdee, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, on 9 May.
>The footage shows two large black leopards near the roadside, where they were seen playing and displaying mating behaviour. The sighting attracted attention because black leopards are rarely seen at close range in the wild.
>Mr Mongkol said the incident was considered highly unusual, as black leopards are normally cautious animals that tend to stay deep inside forest areas and avoid people.
>He said the fact that the animals appeared near a road and continued to behave naturally could be viewed as a sign that wildlife in the park feels safe and is not being heavily disturbed by human activity.
>“This behaviour reflects the success of Kaeng Krachan National Park’s management as a World Heritage area,” Mr Mongkol said.
>He said park officials have worked to maintain a balance between tourism and conservation, allowing wildlife to move through the area with confidence while still protecting the natural environment.
>The sighting also comes as Kaeng Krachan continues to be regarded as one of Thailand’s most important forest areas for wildlife. The park is part of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021.
>Park officials said the sighting should also serve as a reminder for visitors to behave responsibly while travelling through the area.
>The national park has asked tourists to follow park regulations, especially by keeping within speed limits and avoiding loud noise that may disturb wildlife.
>Officials said such cooperation is important to help preserve a safe environment for rare species and to support conservation efforts inside Kaeng Krachan National Park.