Research & Article

Between February and December 1994, Karen villagers and Royal Forestry Department (RFD) guards in Thung Yai Nares suan Wildlife Sanctuary were trained in line transect techniques for wildlife censu nsuses, and collected data over a total transect length of 363 km in four survey areas, three near Karen villages, and one near the sanctuary headquarters. The results show the area has great conservation significance for primates and camivores, especially large cats and bears, but is of minimal importance for large herbivores such as gaur and elephant. Possible impacts of Karen villages on wildlife populations are analysed and discussed. The project as a whole reveals the tremendous potential of participatory wildlife surveys, and the possibility of establishing a community-based wildlife monitoring process.