Reserves

Alaungdaw Kathapa

Kaeng Krachan

Khao Yai

Lomphat

Muong Nhe

Taman Negara




 

Reserves For The Corbetts Or Indo-Chinese Subspecies

Alaungdaw Kathapa

Sixteen wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks were established in Myanmar (Burma) in 1981. In this area of the world a count of Corbett's (the Indo-Chinese) tiger has not been carried out for over seventeen years. Back then, the subspecies was most abundant in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park.

At 1,605 square kilometres in size this park is Myanmar's largest. It is named after Buddha?s saintly disciple and a shrine to him is in the park boundaries. The shrine depicts a reclining figure called Kathapa and it is believed his remains lie here. A small group of monks care for the shrine and have joined forces with authorities to educate visitors about conservation and wildlife. Though visiting the park is a challenge (it can only be reached on elephant back) over 30,000 pilgrims visit annually.

In June 1992 the tiger was listed in the Completely Protected category of Myanmar's Protected Species List. Despite this, the tigers and elephants of Alaungdaw Kathapa suffer extremely heavy poaching and illegal hunting for ivory, bones, skins and parts used in traditional Asian medicines. Probably as a result of this the tigers in this park are very shy and retiring. Numbers are unknown, and while some people feel tigers are still present in quite healthy numbers, many experts feel it is more likely only a handful remain here.

Other animal species in Alaungdaw Kathapa include wild pig, gaur, sambar, (all three are favourite meals for the tiger), banteng, muntjak, clouded leopards, civets, jungle cats, Himalayan sun bears, black giant squirrels, hog badgers, monitor lizards, macques, and many types of bird. The elephant roam in groups of up to a dozen; 150-200 live in the area.

Anti-poaching patrols consist of 25 officers who tackle the rugged terrain on foot, horseback, or elephant. Lack of basic radio communication greatly increases the difficulties they face. Poachers employ locals to assist in animal tracking and are well aware the likelihood of capture is slim. Because poaching usually involves spending some days within the park, the anti-poaching squads concentrate their searches on the location of camping sites. From these they can often track down poachers, either arresting them or engaging them in a fight. The arming of park officers is currently underway.

Corbett Tiger Reserves - Alaungdaw Kathapa | Kaeng Krachan | Khao Yai | Lomphat | Muong Nhe | Taman Negara

Origin | Project Tiger | Releasing Captive Tigers | The Tale Of Tara | Taking A CensusPost Mortems
Tiger Reserves: Amur | Bali | Bengal | Caspian | Corbetts | Javan | South Chinese | Sumatran

Wild Tigers Index | Home

Photography With Thanks To John White (Photo 1)
Denise McQuillen (Photo 2)
Ralf Schmode (Photo 3)
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