KHAO YAI — 6 Jan 2026, Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park has welcomed the new year with a rare and encouraging sign of ecological health after camera traps captured clear images of an Asian golden cat, a near-threatened species, moving through the forest.
Officials park in Prachin Buri province said the sighting confirms the World Heritage forest remains a rich and viable habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
Known in Thai as the “fire tiger,” the Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) is a rare, medium-sized wild cat listed as Near Threatened (NT) and protected under Thailand’s wildlife preservation and protection laws.
The species is recognised for its sleek, graceful build, long legs and striking reddish-brown coat. Unlike many other wild cats, it lacks spots or rosettes. Its distinguishing features include two to three black stripes running down the forehead, no white patches behind the ears, and a dark brown tail with a clearly visible white underside at the tip.
One easily observed behaviour of the Asian golden cat is its habit of holding its tail upright while walking. It feeds mainly on small animals and typically inhabits evergreen and open forests. Conservationists say sightings of the species are a positive indicator that the ecosystem remains balanced and healthy.
Khao Yai National Park is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also one of Southeast Asia’s most important biodiversity strongholds. The park is home to more than 300 wildlife species, including rare mammals such as wild elephants, tigers, Asian black bears, gaurs, muntjacs and several species of deer.
More than 350 bird species have been recorded, along with a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians and plant life, some of which are found nowhere else. The park’s complex mix of dry evergreen forest, tropical rainforest and deciduous dipterocarp forest has made Khao Yai a natural laboratory of exceptional value.
Park officials say the conservation success did not happen by chance. It is the result of sustained and intensive work by rangers, including regular high-quality patrols to prevent poaching, land encroachment and illegal logging.
Authorities have also installed camera traps systematically to monitor and collect data on rare wildlife, while building cooperation with surrounding communities and raising public awareness about the importance of nature conservation. Together, these efforts have helped keep Khao Yai rich in biodiversity and a safe haven for wildlife.
