WILDLIFE DIVERSITY AT MEA KLONG WATERSHED RESEARCH STATION, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The study on wildlife diversity at Mae Klong Watershed Research Station, Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi Province was conducted during January 1995 to March 1997. The study aimed at surveying on the existing wildlife species, including abundance, conservation status, habitat relationships and conservation problems. There were 296 wildlife species in this area, comprising of mammals (33 species), birds (178 species), amphibians (19 species), reptiles (42 species) and fishes (24 species). The main habitat type is the mixed deciduous forest and some other small areas of deciduous dipterocarp forest, dry evergreen forest, old clearing, water area, agricultural land and villages. Several species occupied all habitats but some species confined only in one type. Most of them were rated as commonly found species. According to the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 1992, 3 species are preserved and 293 species are protected. Based on 1994 IUCN Red list of Threatened Animals, there were 5 endanger, 8 vulnerable, 1 rare, 2 interminate and 4 insufficient known species.