Khao Sok Wildlife

     Most commonly seen, even at the bungalow and treehouse resorts, are hornbills and monkeys. There are numerous species of hornbills, and you may get to see the Great Hornbill with its 1-1/2 meter wing span that makes a loud whoosh sound as it flies. More common are the medium-sized Indian Pied Hornbill. All have a characteristic ungainly look, with black and white body and curved yellow beak. Fish eagles, colorful yellow-beaked hornbills, and monkeys are commonly seen on the lake trip. Monkeys often seen in Thailand and Khao Sok are the macaque (most common), the languor and the gibbon.

     The authorities, starting in 1982, simultaneously destroyed part of the natural environment and created one of Thailand’s most spectacular natural attractions. They built a large hydro-electric dam on the Phra Saeng River to supply at the time 2% of the nation’s requirement. They also flooded the major remaining pristine lowland forest area in the district. What this means is that the remaining forest is mostly comprised of craggy limestone cliffs, mountainous terrain, and swift flowing streams. What became so spectacular was the lake they created with scores of steep limestone cliffs and hills jutting out of the clear emerald water.

     The national park people carried out a massive and dangerous rescue operation to move as many wild animals as they could from the islands in the lake, where they would have been trapped with inadequate space for forage, to the edge of the lake and other
places in Thailand. Sadly, only a small percentage of the animals could be rescued. However, the result is that the lake is one of the few places in the country where one has a chance to see large mammals. Between January and May each year, the water level in the dam recedes, and succulent fresh grass grows on the lake’s edge. On Our Jungle House special wildlife tour Wild gaur, boar, sambar deer, and other mammals come to graze on this grass and can be observed from a boat cruising slowly along the bank. Elephants are common in the interior, and though you may not meet the elephants, you can hike through the forest following their big footprints. A few tigers too, but these are almost never seen.

     The gaur (sometimes called Asian bison or seladang in Malaysia) is less well known in the west but is an impressive wild buffalo with thick curved horns. It weighs over a ton and with distinctive white feet and ankles looking just like socks. “Using its sharp pointed horns and the hard frontal ridge of its forehead, an adult Gaur can kill an assailant with one blow. Even leopards and tigers rarely tackle one of these enormous beasts. Generally, however, gaur will choose to avoid conflict rather than engage.” – from Belinda Stewart-Cox, Wild Thailand.

Danger in the jungle?

     Contrary to popular belief, the jungle is benign and probably a safer habitat for humans than city streets. This is primarily because animals, like ourselves, instinctively avoid danger and will avoid humans rather than attack them. Following are some of the potential predators found in Khao Sok and most tropical jungles of the world.

     Cobras and king cobras are present but rarely seen at Khao Sok, and the incidence of bites is extremely low. This is because snakes, like most animals, will avoid humans unless disturbed. As for the King Cobra, it can barely see and you can safely slowly back away.

     Scorpions like to dwell in rotting wood. Their sting is painful and may last for a day but not deadly. One unexpected predator is stinging nettles, of which there are several varieties. Simply touching one can bring sever pain and itching, which can last for a day and night. But these are not generally found on the trails, and guides can identify them easily.