Mammals on Parade in Khao Sok National Park!
Khao Sok never ceases to amaze
us. In our previous newsletter, we featured a story about the
two very rare Malayan Tapirs we had the privilege of viewing.
We've spent a lot of time recently in Khao Sok and as usual,
it paid off with other uncommon sightings.
Stump-tail Macaques
Stump-tail Macaques are infrequently spotted
in the park. We had the pleasure of two separate encounters,
each special in its own fashion. The first was in a region of
the reservoir which we had only just started visiting. While
paddling along one of the many massive limestone karst cliffs,
we noticed something rustling in the thick vegetation. Binoculars
came out and started focusing. An unusually colored monkey was
spotted. Its body hair was sort of orange tinted. The thing
that really stood out was its two large red skin patches surrounding
its eyes. The monkey starred back at us too. Then, it let out
a bizarre scream. We all looked at each other in amazement as
the hairy orange primate climbed slowly up the cliff, stopping
occasionally to yell at us.
The
crack of dawn is a very special time to be on the water.
From our floating bungalow camp, the sun crept gently over the
jagged limestone cliffs. Across the wide expanse of the placid
reservoir, the light spreads and the sounds of the jungle commence.
White-hand Gibbons howl and shriek from the tallest trees. A
lone Helmeted Hornbill initiates its comical call.
Yellow-throated Martens
One morning, we came across a pair of Yellow-throated
Martens. There was a slight coloration difference between the
pair, indicating that one was male and the other female. Their
attention was fully occupied with something inside a long section
of bamboo resting on the shoreline. These nimble creatures ran
back and forth, up and down, swing between the right side up
and upside down… and with the absolute greatest of ease.
They pulled and bit at the bamboo. They seemed quite unconcerned
about our presence. It was quite a show and something that none
of us had seen before.
White-hand Gibbons
On another morning excursion, we were enthralled
with a family of gibbons dangling from the upper canopy. One
had a very young baby clinging to her chest. Even though gibbons
are an endangered species, we saw some each day. They are actually
fairly common in Khao Sok National Park.
Paddling
a bit further on, we saw a troop of Stump-tailed Macaques
on the far shore. When we first spotted them, the majority of
them were scampering up the shore. Their rear ends were so wide
that we thought we were looking at wild pigs. Soon, they started
making their unusual calls. One big male stayed in view in what
appeared to be direct defiance to our approach. His eyebrows
raised and his ears went back. This is their sign to keep your
distance. We obeyed.
Wild Pigs
Speaking of wild pigs, we also saw a pair
of them a couple days earlier. Wild pigs are abundant in the
park, though not often seen. The water in the reservoir is very
low this year as we're having a bit of a drought. This makes
wildlife viewing a bit easier as the herbivores come out to
chew on the thick grass that blankets the shoreline.
Serow
One afternoon, while paddling in a new cove,
Zae and one of our guests paddled ahead of me. I was busy looking
for our feathery friends as usual. I rounded a rocky point and
saw Zae motioning almost frantically to me. I soon realized
why. There was a huge male Serow standing proudly on a rock
crag. Our guest had his camera and Zae had pleaded with him
to get it out, but he was afraid that his motion would scare
the Serow away. If I had had a camera, it would have been one
of those once-in-a-lifetime shots… a two-person kayak in
the foreground with a rare Serow just beyond and above them.
That's it; it's time to go into debt again. I must have a camera
and it might as well be a nice digital model.
Barking Deer
A few minutes later, in a patch of elephant
ear plants, we spotted a large Barking Deer. Her colors were
bright and sharp in the midday sun. She slowly moved away, glancing
over her shoulder from time to time, making sure we were friendly.
So, our mammal list for Khao Sok on these
recent series of trips include a pair of Yellow-throated Martens,
Stump-tail Macaques, a Serow, a Barking Deer, White-hand Gibbons,
Wild Pigs, Dusky Langurs, Long-tail Macaques and Pig-tail Macaques.
We can't wait to get back.
Eco awareness news
Do you like the smell of sandalwood?
As sandalwood is becoming more and more scarce due to its popularity,
sandalwood poachers are starting to encroach on national parks.
Khao Yai National Park in northern Thailand is a popular target
as its vastness makes it difficult for park officials to patrol
effectively.
As with almost all poaching problems, be they plant or animal,
the root cause is demand. Without the demand, there is no need
for a supply. It's basic economics. If you are concerned about
your impact on the ever-decreasing natural resources, please
do a bit of research before buying.
