Tiger Nadech Mates, Population Boost Expected

Thairath•Society•6h ago

Reader Briefing

Camera traps in Kaeng Krachan National Park documented "Tiger Nadech" mating with a new female, signaling potential population growth for the species.

•Camera traps in Kaeng Krachan National Park detected mating behavior between "Tiger Nadech" (KKT-002M) and a new female tiger (KKR-004F).
•The observation during an ecological survey of the upper Phetchaburi River aims to assess forest health and biodiversity.
•The park also found evidence of freshwater crocodiles, with plans for release into the wild on February 18.
•A camera trap was lost due to suspected human activity, prompting a review of surveillance strategies.

Overview

•Between February 13–16, 2026, an ecological survey of the upper Phetchaburi River was conducted, resulting in the observation of rare tiger mating behavior.
•Camera traps deployed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and WCS Thailand captured "Tiger Nadech" (KKT-002M) mating with a new female tiger (KKR-004F), potentially signaling good news for tiger population growth.
•This initiative is part of efforts to assess the ecosystem and biodiversity of the World Heritage forest through camera trap data.
•Mr. Mongkol Chaiparkdee, Head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, reported that the data from camera traps is a crucial tool for analyzing wildlife behavior, including the mating patterns of apex predators.
•Data from camera traps helped confirm the presence of 14 rare wildlife species, including serows, tapirs, sun bears, moon bears, dholes, and wild elephants.
•Evidence of Siamese crocodiles was found downstream via scat and riverside tracks, an important precursor to their planned release into the wild on February 18.
•One camera trap was lost due to suspected human activity, which poses a significant obstacle to research and wildlife protection efforts.
•The national park will enhance surveillance in vulnerable areas using data from the Smart Patrol system to protect wildlife habitats and inform future conservation policies.

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Key Entities

Person

Tiger Nadech(เสือโคร่ง ณเดช)

A male Indochinese tiger, identified by the code KKT-002M, captured on camera traps mating in Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Mongkol Chaiparkdee(มงคล ไชยภักดี)

The Head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, who reported on the findings from the camera traps and the importance of the data.

Chananrat Nuan Kaew(ชนันรัตน์ นวลแก้ว)

A wildlife expert who participated in the installation and inspection of camera traps in the park.

Steven Platt

An expert from IUCN who was part of the team that installed and inspected camera traps.

Siamese Crocodile(จระเข้น้ำจืดพันธุ์ไทย)ℹ️

Freshwater crocodiles with evidence found along the upper Phetchaburi River, with plans for release into the wild.

Place

Kaeng Krachan National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งกระจาน)ℹ️

The national park where camera traps captured mating tigers and evidence of freshwater crocodiles.

Upper Phetchaburi River(แม่น้ำเพชรบุรีตอนบน)

The location surveyed for ecological assessment and wildlife presence, where tiger mating was observed.

Organization

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)

The government agency that, in collaboration with other organizations, conducted the ecological survey in Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand(สมาคมอนุรักษ์สัตว์ป่า (WCS) ประเทศไทย)

An organization that collaborated with the Department of National Parks to conduct the ecological survey and monitor wildlife.

IUCNℹ️

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, from which expert Steven Platt participated in the park's wildlife monitoring.

Policy

Smart Patrol(ลาดตระเวนเชิงคุณภาพ)

A patrol methodology used to enhance surveillance and protection of wildlife habitats, to be intensified in areas where camera traps were lost.